1 in 5 Americans hasn’t had an eye exam in over 5 years! Are you one of them?
You might think that there’s no reason to see an eye doctor. Why bother with eye exam preparation if your eyes are healthy? How often should you have an eye exam anyway?
Read on to learn the answer to these questions.
How Often Should You Have an Eye Exam With Healthy Eyes?
If your eyes feel healthy, your vision is stable (or better yet, perfect even without glasses), and you don’t have a pre-existing condition, you don’t have to see your eye doctor too frequently.
Children may need to see an eye doctor every year, but many doctors recommend that they visit every two years unless there are potential problems.
Adults can visit the eye doctor every two to three years until the age of 65. Even if your eyes are healthy, it’s a good idea to visit the eye doctor routinely to catch any potential age-related eye problems, such as cataracts, while they’re still fixable.
If you wear contact lenses and you’re in the United States, you may need to have a recent appointment to order new lenses online.
Signs That You Need an Eye Exam
So how do you know if you need an eye exam if you’re not “due” for one?
Your eyes are fragile and necessary for many parts of day-to-day life. If you notice something wrong, it’s best to see an eye doctor as soon as possible (it’s better to be safe than sorry).
If your vision changes and your prescription is no longer suitable, visit your eye doctor. Even a small adjustment can make a big difference (especially when it comes to contact lenses).
Are you experiencing eye pain or dryness? Occasional eye pain or dryness isn’t a cause for concern, but if the condition isn’t going away, it’s best to see an eye doctor. Frequent headaches can also indicate that an eye exam is necessary.
For children, it’s a good idea to take them to the eye doctor if they’re struggling in school despite having strong academic skills. This is a sign that they’re unable to read information written on the board due to nearsightedness or have a hard time reading books or worksheets due to farsightedness.
If your child is squinting even in normal light, it’s another sign that it’s time for an eye doctor appointment.
The eye exam benefits far outweigh the downsides, so don’t be afraid to visit the eye doctor even if you only have minor concerns.
Is It Time for Your Eye Exam?
So how often should you have an eye exam? For most people, every two to three years is enough. If you’re in your golden years, go every year. If you’re experiencing an unexplained eye problem or vision changes, you should go even if you aren’t due for an appointment.
Let an eye doctor keep your eyes healthy!
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