Going to the doctor or dentist when you need help is vital to your health. While you probably know you should see your primary care physician at least once a year and go to the dentist at least twice a year, what about your eye doctor?
Your vision and eye health are crucial. Your eyesight impacts your overall quality of life, and some eye conditions and issues are symptoms of other serious health issues.
So, knowing how often to see an eye doctor can be vital to your overall health and happiness. Keep reading to learn how often you need to see the eye doctor!
What Is An Eye Exam?
Eye doctors, also known as ophthalmologists, provide general preventive care, like eye exams. They also offer specialized services, like eye surgery.
Eye exams are similar to routine dental exams in their purpose. During an eye exam, your ophthalmologist will assess your vision and eye health using various diagnostic tools and tests.
Eye exams provide preventive care as well, where your eye care provider ensures you don’t have any eye issues or conditions. If anything comes up, the eye doctor will provide treatment or have you set up a follow-up visit for further assistance.
Your eye doctor will also see if you need glasses or contacts. If you already have a prescription, they may make adjustments to ensure you see as clearly as possible.
How Often Should Children See An Eye Doctor?
Now that you know the basics of an eye exam and why they are important, here’s what you need to know about when eye exams are necessary.
The requirements vary depending on age. And, if you are a parent or guardian, it’s critical to know how often to take your child to the ophthalmologist.
In general, here are the recommended eye exam requirements based on age:
- Birth through two years old: At least one exam between six months and 12 months.
- Three years old to five years old: At least one exam in this time period.
- Six years old to 17 years old: One eye exam before first grade and then annual exams each year after that.
What Are Risk Factors For Kids?
While these are the general guidelines, some children need more frequent visits to the eye doctor. Kids who have signs and symptoms of vision issues or eye diseases need to see an eye doctor right away.
Some potential risk factors include:
- Family history of eye or vision issues
- Eye injuries
- Taking certain medications
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
This isn’t a comprehensive list, so it’s vital to consult your child’s primary care doctor and their eye doctor with questions.
How Often Should Adults Go To The Eye Doctor?
For adults, the recommendations are more straightforward. For adults who don’t have any risk factors and don’t wear glasses or contacts, it’s best to see the eye doctor once every two years between the ages of eighteen and sixty-four.
Once adults reach sixty-five, they should see an eye doctor for an exam at least once yearly.
What Are Risk Factors For Adults?
Adults can also have increased risk factors for vision problems and eye diseases. If you have any of these factors, you should see an ophthalmologist at least once yearly or more.
Some potential risk factors and signs to be aware of include:
- Working in occupations that can be hazardous to the eyes
- Having diabetes
- If you’ve had a refractive eye surgery
- Having a family history of eye diseases
- Dealing with an eye injury
These are just some of the risk factors that could warrant more frequent eye exams.
Is it time for you to have an eye exam? Schedule an appointment at Simone Eye Center in Warren or Macomb Township, MI, today!
