When Should You Have an Eye Exam?

When should you have an eye exam? It depends on your age and your health.

An exam can catch eye disease while it is still easy to treat. This guide goes age by age.

Children: When Should You Have an Eye Exam for Your Child?

A child’s vision is still developing, so early checks matter. From birth to the teen years, plan on regular eye screenings.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus have guidelines for each age. Talk with your child’s eye doctor about the right schedule.

Adults: When You Should Have an Eye Exam

In your 20s or 30s with healthy eyes, an exam can seem unnecessary. A complete eye exam in your 20s, and two in your 30s, still helps catch problems before they grow.

A few exceptions apply:

• If you have an eye infection, an injury, or sudden symptoms like floaters or flashes, see your eye doctor right away.

• If you wear contact lenses, plan on yearly checkups.

• If you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease, ask your eye doctor how often you should come in.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests a complete eye exam at age 40. Early signs of eye disease or vision changes can first appear around then, and finding them early can protect your sight. Read about vision over 40.

When Should You Have an Eye Exam Before 40?

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease, start sooner. Your eye doctor will tell you how often to come in.

Seniors: When Should You Have an Eye Exam?

If you are 65 or older, have an eye exam every one to two years, unless your doctor advises a different schedule. Cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma can develop without you noticing.

Regular exams catch them early and give you the best chance to keep your vision. See our guide to senior eye exam frequency.

What Happens During an Eye Exam?

A complete eye exam has several steps and can take 45 to 90 minutes. It covers these areas:

• Medical history: We ask about your general health, your family’s history, and your medicines.

• Visual acuity: You read an eye chart to measure how well you see at different distances.

• Prescription: A device called a phoropter helps fine-tune your prescription for glasses or contacts.

• Pupil response: A bright light shows how your pupils react. An odd reaction can point to an underlying issue.

• Side vision: Loss of side vision can be a sign of glaucoma. This test finds problems you might not notice.

• Eye movement: This checks that your eyes are aligned and your eye muscles work well.

• Eye pressure: The test is called tonometry. High pressure can be a sign of glaucoma.

• Front of the eye: A slit-lamp microscope lets the doctor check for cataracts, scars on the cornea, and other issues.

• Retina and optic nerve: Drops dilate your pupils so the doctor can inspect the back of your eye. Your eyes may be sensitive to light for a few hours afterward. Read about dilated eye exams.

Depending on your needs, your eye doctor may suggest extra tests, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, or corneal topography. These give a closer look at the back of your eye, its surface, or its inner layers.

Schedule Your Eye Exam

Keep up with your visits and you give yourself the best chance of catching problems early.

Find out more about our complete eye exam, then book your eye exam today. Our guide to preparing for your eye exam tells you what to bring.