If you wear glasses, you should know how often to visit the eye doctor. The answer depends on several factors, such as your age, eye health, and risk of developing eye problems. Eye exams are imperative for maintaining good vision and early detection of eye diseases or conditions. They can also reveal other health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, both of which cause eye problems.
In this Ophthalmology24 blog post, we will explain how often you should have your eyes checked if you wear glasses, and what to expect from a routine eye exam.
Eye Exam Frequency for Adults Who Wear Glasses
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), adults who wear glasses should have an eye exam at least once every two years.
Please note that this period may vary depending on your individual circumstances.
Some additional factors that may require more frequent eye exams include:
Having a personal or family history of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or cataracts
Having a chronic health condition, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
Taking medications with eye-related side effects, such as steroids or antihistamines
Having had eye surgery or an eye injury in the past
Working in an occupation potentially hazardous to your eyes, such as welding, cleaning or construction
Experiencing changes in your vision or eye symptoms, such as blurry vision, eye pain, flashes, floaters, or redness
If you fall into any of these categories, consult with your eye doctor about how often you need to have your eyes checked. They may recommend annual eye exams or more frequent visits depending on your individual situation.
As a glasses wearer, you should follow your ophthalmologist's advice strictly and schedule annual follow-up visits to monitor your vision and update your glasses or contact lenses prescription.
Eye Exam Frequency for Children Who Wear Glasses
Children who wear glasses also need pediatric eye exams to monitor their vision and eye health. The AAO recommends that children have their first eye exam at 6 months of age. Then get another exam at age 3 and again before starting first grade.
After that, children who wear glasses should have their eyes checked every year until age 18.
The reason behind this is children's eyes are still developing and changing. So don't panic if your child's diopter changes as they age up. This is something completely normal! An eye doctor would probably need to adjust their prescription or switch to a different type of glasses as they grow.
Some signs that your child may need an eye exam include:
Squinting, rubbing, or closing one eye
Tilting or turning the head to see better
Holding books or devices too close or too far away
Complaining of headaches, eye strain, or double vision
Having trouble reading, writing, or doing schoolwork
Showing poor attention span or behavior
Avoiding activities that require good vision, such as sports or games
If you notice any of these early signs of refractive error in your child, schedule a pediatric eye exam as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment of vision problems can prevent them from affecting your child's learning and development.
Checked by Atanas Bogoev, MD.