Your eyes are one of the crucial parts of your body. As such, you need to take extra care of them. They are an essential part of your developmental milestones as a child and daily life as you age. Avoid last-minute rushes to the doctor when you notice something is wrong—get regular eye exams to keep eyes healthy!
What Are Eye Exams?
They are a series of tests to evaluate your vision. They check for eye diseases and other aspects of your eye health. The types of tests will depend on your age, whether you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, and other risk factors. Although children receive vision screenings in school, eye exams are still crucial as they are more in-depth and comprehensive.
Why Are Eye Exams Essential?
Eye exams are important because they help detect various eye diseases and conditions that could lower your quality of life. They help diagnose other life-threatening general health conditions. It allows you to get treatment the soonest possible.
How Often Do I Need an Eye Exam?
The regularity of eye exams depends on your age and whether you have any risk factors for eye disease. Whatever your age, the doctor may recommend that you see them more often if risks are involved. Generally, it’s recommended to see an optometrist at least once a year.
Children
Children should get their first eye exam at the age of 6 months. The next one should be at age 3, and the one after should be before they start first grade. Afterward, the eye exams can continue every year until they are 18 years old.
Remember that the vision screenings they receive in school are not enough. Screenings can catch some problems, but they may miss the underlying issue.
18 to 39 Years
At 18 years old, the frequency of eye exams can reduce to every two years if you are not at risk. That means you do not have risk factors that your doctor should be monitoring. These eye exams should continue at this rate until you are 39.
40 to 64 Years
The frequency of your eye exams should continue at once every two years unless you develop risk factors. At this point, the doctor can review and add the frequency every year. It allows the close monitoring of your symptoms so that the doctor can catch any changes and you will not lose your sight.
65 Years and Older
At this age, the risk of getting age-related eye diseases increases. Accordingly, the doctor increases the frequency of your eye exams to ensure no symptoms develop without notice. Some age-related eye conditions are notorious for this and could lead to vision loss.
There are also other cases where the doctor may insist on checking your eyes more often. These cases involve people with risk factors.
People With Risk Factors
Being at risk means you exhibit any of the following factors. They include:
- A family history of eye diseases, including macular degeneration or glaucoma
- Wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses
- Having high blood pressure or diabetes
- Certain ethnic or racial groups. Some are more susceptible to eye conditions than others
- Visually demanding occupations that are hazardous to your eyes including mechanics, welders, and firefighters
- Certain medications for other health conditions may have eye-related side effects
- Previous eye surgeries or injuries
For more about eye exams, call Advanced Eyecare Center PC at our Urbandale, Iowa office. Call 515-303-4488 to schedule an appointment today.
