An eye exam is one of the best ways to protect your vision because it can detect eye problems at their earliest stage - when they're most treatable. Regular eye exams give your eye doctor a chance to help you correct or adapt to vision changes. Even if you think your eyes are healthy, you still need an eye exam from time to time.
Here are some guidelines to follow for eye health:
Screening for eye disease should be conducted at:
Some factors may put your child at increased risk for eye disease. If any of these factors apply to your child, check with your eye doctor to see how often you should have a medical eye exam:
Have your child's vision checked before he or she enters first grade. If your child has no symptoms of vision problems and doesn't have a family history of vision problems, have your child's vision rechecked every two years. Talk to your child's eye doctor about what checkup schedule is best for your child.
If you don't wear glasses or contacts, have no symptoms of eye trouble, don't have a family history of eye disease and you don't have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, that puts you at risk of eye disease, have an eye exam at the following intervals:
If you do wear glasses or contacts, you'll need to have your eyes checked yearly. And if you notice any problems with your vision, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Blurred vision, for example, may suggest you need a prescription change. A sudden increase in the number of floaters (dark circles darting through your vision) could suggest vision-threatening changes to your retina.
This document is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult an eye care professional about symptoms that may require medical attention and may or may not be covered by your medical plan and/or routine vision plan.
Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) - www.aao.org
The Mayo Clinic www.mayoclinic.com