How Often You Really Need an Eye Exam

While most people are unaware of how often they should get an eye exam, they know very little about eye healthcare. This leads to many people identifying and detecting eye problems at a later stage where a recovery is no longer an option. If you’re struggling with eye health issues, you must consider opting for an eye exam. An eye exam can help detect eye problems at early stages when medication and appropriate treatment methods can help.

Regular eye exams also keep your optometrist up-to-date with your eye health condition. Accordingly, they can help you correct your vision and adapt to better conditions over time. However, what most people don’t realize is that they need to go for regular eye exams. Here’s how often that should be.

How Often to Get Your Eye Exam?

It depends on your age, health factors, and overall physical eye condition. Such factors play a significant role in how often you have to get an eye exam.

  • Unhealthy People with Risk Factors

The frequency of eye exams is higher for people who’ve experienced vision changes and ocular symptoms. There are various risk factors along with pre-existing medical conditions that increase the importance of getting frequent eye exams. People with diabetes type 1 should be getting a comprehensive and dilated eye exam after five years of an initial diagnosis, with yearly visits from then on. The same goes for diabetes type 2 patients, except they shouldn’t wait another day after getting diagnosed diagnosis. Getting a yearly visit to your optometrist after the initial diagnosis is quite important for people with type 2 diabetes.

  • Older Adults

Older adults refers to people who are 65 years or older. They are the prime candidates for eye healthcare as most degenerative diseases occur at this stage of life. Older adults should be getting an eye exam every year or two whether, they experience any symptoms or not. Such adults with a degenerating body, despite their fitness can be highly prone to ocular symptoms and vision changes.

  • Adults

Even the national health institute for eye health in the US recommends that young adults get a comprehensive eye exam while those in their 30s get such exams twice before entering their 40s. At least one comprehensive exam is necessary for adults before the age of 40 even if they have never experienced any eye health issues or risk factors/symptoms. Between the ages of 40-54, adults should receive a comprehensive eye health exam every two to four years. Likewise, when adults cross the 54 mark, they should be getting a comprehensive eye exam every one to three years.

  • Children

Children should be under the supervision and great care of their parents because they’re usually unaware of any risk factors or eye health symptoms. Parents or other caretakers must watch for signs that depict risks of eye health conditions. Children should get a comprehensive eye exam under a professional’s care before they reach the age of 5. A professional can guide the parents about further eye exams.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a professional optometrist who can work with patients of all ages, you must consider a visit to Whitney Eye Care. Dr. Brian Whitney at Whitney Eye Care can help you diagnose any underlying eye health conditions and provide the right treatment options. Call (435)291-7335 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Whitney today.