How Often Should I Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

December 16, 2021

When was the last time you attended an eye exam? Routine eye exams are recommended for everyone, regardless of their age, location, or eye health. That’s because, contrary to popular belief, regular comprehensive eye exams are for much more than simply updating your glasses or contact lenses. Instead, they form a part of your preventative care routine, enabling your eye doctor to detect any problems with your eyes and vision early, when they can be treated easier and before they cause you any unpleasant symptoms.


 

How Often Should I Have a Comprehensive Eye Exam?



Exactly how often you should get a comprehensive eye exam will depend on your individual circumstances. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that, in the majority of cases, adults who are considered to be low risk should have an eye exam every two years. After they reach the age of 65, this frequency will increase to annual. This is because once we reach 65 years old, we are more likely to suffer from problems with our vision and eye health.


 

However, if you are someone under 65 who is considered to be at risk of experiencing eye problems, this frequency could be increased to annually or even more often depending on the advice of your eye doctor.


 

People who are at higher risk of developing problems with their eye health and vision include those who:


 

  • Have a personal or family history of eye disease
     

  • Have high or progressive myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism
     

  • Have previously had eye surgery or an eye injury
     

  • Suffer from systemic health conditions that can affect your eyes or vision
     

  • Have functional vision only in one eye
     

  • Take prescription or non-prescription drugs that cause ocular side effects
     

  • Work in jobs where there are potential hazards to your eyes, such as construction or working with chemicals
     

  • Wear contact lenses
     

  • Have previously undergone refractive laser vision correction, including LASIK, PRK, and SMILE
     

 

If you are unsure how often you should attend comprehensive eye exams, don’t hesitate to speak to your eye doctor.


 

How Often Should Children Attend Comprehensive Eye Exams?



Children’s eye health is just as important as our own and they too can and should have regular comprehensive eye exams. They will be given a basic screening at birth, and then should attend another appointment between 6 and 12 months of age. Following this, they should also attend at least once between 3 and 5 years of age, and then annually during childhood. This is because their eyes grow rapidly during childhood, and this can cause refractive conditions like myopia to develop.


 

If your child does develop myopia during childhood, it’s important to get this treated and under control as soon as possible. Myopia is a progressive condition that will get worse without treatment. People who go on to develop high myopia are more likely to experience complications that could permanently damage their vision, such as cataracts and retinal detachment.

 


 

For more information about how often you should have a comprehensive eye exam, or to make an appointment, contact Eye Associates of New York at our office in New York, New York. You can call (212) 650-4888 today to schedule an appointment.

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