How Often Do I Need an Eye Exam?

Your eye care needs are as unique as you are, so you should follow the advice of your eye doctor when scheduling eye exams. In general, you can look to the guidelines set forth by the American Optometric Association: ² x Trusted Source Comprehensive Eye Exams American Optometric Association Go to Source

Eye Exam Frequency for Children

Babies should have their eyes examined at 6 months old. Children with no history of eye problems should have eye exams between the ages of 3 and 5, and then once more before first grade and once a year after that. Risk factors that may necessitate more frequent eye exams for children include strabismus, an eye injury, an eye infection, or a family history of eye conditions.

Eye Exam Frequency for Adults

People who wear glasses or contact lenses should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once per year. Adults under 65 with no vision issues should still get eye exams every two years to maintain their eye health and for early detection of any eye conditions. Adults who are over 65 should have annual exams to check for age-related eye diseases.
People with any of the following risk factors may need more frequent eye exams:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Previous eye surgery or injury
• Family history of eye disease

Do I Need an Eye Exam Even if I Have Good Vision?

Yes, eye exams are especially important after the age of 40. Even if you have excellent vision and no history of eye disease, it is good to establish a baseline of data. This will help your eye doctor detect any eye conditions earlier. Remember, many of the most common causes of vision loss, such as glaucoma, do not have any symptoms until it is too late to restore vision. Early detection through eye exams is critical to maintaining vision.