How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?

Eye exams might not top your list of fun, but they’re one of the easiest ways to protect your vision and catch problems before they sneak up on you. Think of them like regular tune-ups for your eyes, keeping your vision sharp and your eyes healthy.

How often should you get one? It depends on your age, health and whether you already wear glasses or contacts.

Kids and Teens: Annual exams are important because young eyes undergo rapid changes. Early detection of issues like lazy eye or focusing problems can make a big difference in learning and development.

Adults 18 to 60: If you have no eye problems and good vision, regular check-ups every 2 years are generally sufficient. But if you wear glasses or contacts, have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease, yearly visits are a smart idea.

Adults Over 60: As you age, your risk for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration rises. Annual eye exams can catch these early when treatment is most effective.

Why not skip your exam? Some serious eye conditions develop silently without pain or obvious symptoms. Glaucoma, for example, can steal your peripheral vision before you notice anything wrong. Diabetes can damage blood vessels in the retina long before you feel any vision changes. Regular checkups help identify these issues early, protecting your sight.

Eye exams are also the best way to update your glasses or contact lens prescription. Even slight changes can improve comfort and reduce headaches or eye strain, especially if you spend a lot of time on screens.

What else happens during an eye exam? Beyond testing your vision, your eye doctor checks for signs of eye health that can reflect your overall health, including high blood pressure or signs of diabetes. They might measure eye pressure and look at the back of your eye for any early warning signs.

Make it easy. Schedule your exam at a time that fits your routine and set a yearly reminder. Don’t wait for symptoms; many eye problems develop slowly and can be managed most effectively with early care.

Your eyes are the windows to the world; don’t wait until things get blurry to show them some love. Keeping up with regular eye exams can help you enjoy life’s details, from reading your favorite book to recognizing faces in a crowd.

Ready for your next eye exam? Contact Skyline Vision Clinic at 719-630-3937 or visit our WEBSITE to book your appointment today.