25
Aug

Everyone knows that regular eye exams are essential for long-term eye health. But how often should you be setting appointments with your eye doctor?

Instead of waiting until you have vision problems before scheduling an eye exam, it’s best to be proactive in your approach. The truth is that you might be experiencing vision changes that you aren’t noticing because the brain is working to compensate for the slow vision loss that can occur over time.

General Recommendation: Eye Exams Every 2 Years

The most common recommendation from most optometrists and ophthalmologists is to schedule an eye exam every two years.

But there are different timelines depending on how old you are and whether you have any health conditions that could be affecting your vision. Your eye doctor will ask about your medical history to help determine the ideal timeline for your eye exams.

Age-Based Guidelines for Eye Exams

Here is a general overview of eye exam recommendations based on the patient’s age:

• Six Months Old: A baby’s first visit to an eye doctor should happen around the age of six months.
• 1 – 20 Years Old: When a child is old enough to go to school, it’s wise to schedule an eye exam before they enter kindergarten or first grade. Then, regular appointments are recommended every 2 years to monitor the child’s vision and adjust their prescription if they are wearing glasses or contact lenses.
• 20 – 39 Years Old: As you enter adulthood, there is a lower risk of declining vision. Most people’s eyesight has balanced out at this point. The recommendation is to visit an eye doctor every two to three years for a comprehensive eye exam.
• 40 – 64 Years Old: Eye changes start happening after the age of 40, and many people start experiencing deteriorating vision. For example, you might need glasses for reading due to age-related changes that affect the eyes. You can still maintain eye appointments every 2 years.
• 65+ Years Old: When someone reaches the age of 65, and beyond, the general recommendation is to have eye examinations once a year.

Sometimes, more frequent eye exams are needed because of conditions that could take a toll on your vision. For example, your eye doctor might ask you to come more often if you have health factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, eye diseases, or prescription medications that can affect your vision. Even if you don’t have a diagnosis, it’s wise to maintain frequent eye exams if there is a family history of eye disease or vision loss.

Call for an Eye Exam

Is it time for you to book an appointment with an eye doctor? Contact us at Temecula Creek Optometry: (951) 302 -1331.