How Often Should I Have an Eye Exam?

Your eyes are the dominant input device for your body. Up to 60% of your brain works to process the information that comes from what you see. 

That means you need to take care of your eyes, including having them checked regularly for both vision issues and medical problems. Early detection of diseases (such as glaucoma) that develop silently with no symptoms is crucial.

Eye exams allow your doctor to track refractive changes in your eyes to see if you need an adjustment to your glasses or contact prescription. This checkup can also provide health insights that may point to bigger problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. 

But how often should you have an eye exam? And does the frequency change as you age?

At Berkeley Heights Eye Group in New Providence, New Jersey, we typically recommend the following schedule to our patients:

Children and teenagers

Babies should have their first eye exam when they’re 6-12 months old. This appointment lets us check for any early vision or developmental issues, such as congenital cataracts. As children grow, they should have an exam at age 3 and another one before they start school. 

School-age kids and teenagers should have an eye exam every 1-2 years. If your child has risk factors, such as a family history of vision problems, schedule exams every year. 

Adults

If you’re a low-risk adult with no symptoms, no major health issues, and stable vision, an eye exam every two years is usually sufficient. At age 40, adults should undergo a comprehensive eye exam to assess vision and overall eye health. 

In addition to vision acuity, we check your eye muscles, eye pressure, and the internal structure of your eyes to identify signs of developing diseases such as glaucoma.

Adults over 60

As we age, our eye health tends to deteriorate, so after 60, you should schedule a yearly exam. We check for cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye conditions, and we can update your prescription if you wear corrective lenses.

Special circumstances

If you have diabetes, some autoimmune diseases, hypertension, or a family history of specific eye diseases, we may recommend exams as often as every 6-12 months to catch problems as early as possible.

If you experience any sudden symptoms or changes in your vision, such as floaters, blurriness, eye pain, or flashing lights, schedule an exam right away.

Our team at Berkeley Heights Eye Group is here to serve you. If you’re due for an eye exam, call our office or request an appointment online today.