Your eyes are incredible tools that allow you to work, connect, and take in the beauty of the world around you. They guide you down winding trails, help you read your favourite book, and even make texting a breeze. But when was the last time you gave your eyes the attention they deserve?
Adults between 20 and 64 should schedule an eye exam at least every 1–2 years, while those over 64 and kids under 19 should visit yearly. Exactly how often you need an eye exam can also depend on your personal health. For example, people with existing eye conditions, diabetes, and certain other health conditions should have a checkup every year.
The Basics of Eye Health
To better understand why eye exams are so essential, it helps to know a little about how your eyes work.
When you look at something, light enters through the cornea and passes through the pupil, the round opening in the middle of your eye. The light is then refracted by the lens onto the retina at the back of your eye. The retina converts the light into signals that are sent to your brain, allowing you to see the world clearly.
Though the eye seems like a perfectly tuned system, it is prone to common conditions that can impact how well it functions. These include:
- Myopia (nearsightedness) and other refractive errors, like farsightedness and astigmatism.
- Dry eyes, which can cause irritation and impact comfort.
- Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts
Taking care of your eyes now can help prevent long-term issues—and that all begins with regular eye exams.
Frequency of Eye Exams by Age Group
Your eyes change and evolve throughout your life, and so do your exam needs. Here’s a breakdown of how often you should schedule an eye exam based on your age:
- Children (0–20 years): Most optometrists recommend children have their first exam at 6–9 months old, and another between 2–5 years, followed by annual exams for school-aged children. Childhood is a crucial time for detecting vision problems that could impact learning.
- Adults (20–64 years): Schedule an exam every 1–2 years. Even if your vision seems fine, routine checkups help detect changes early and screen for underlying conditions. Once you pass 40, common vision changes—like presbyopia or the early stages of cataracts—can start to occur.
- Seniors (64+ years): Annual eye exams allow optometrists to monitor your eyes for diseases and conditions that are more common in older adults, like cataracts or macular degeneration
These are just general guidelines. Some conditions, such as diabetes or myopia, require more frequent checkups, so, if you’re ever in doubt, talk to your optometrist and follow their recommendations.
Signs You Need an Eye Exam
Just because you have a schedule doesn’t mean you should wait if you notice something wrong. Subtle symptoms can be a sign it’s time to book an appointment with your optometrist.
Here are a few signs that your eyes may need a closer look:
- Frequent headaches
- Blurry or double vision, especially when looking at objects up close or far away
- Difficulty reading
- Trouble seeing at night or sensitivity to bright lights
- Eye strain or fatigue after long hours of screen time
- A noticeable change in vision—even small changes can impact your daily life
- Irritation, redness, or watery eyes, which may point to dry eyes or another underlying issue.
What to Expect During an Eye Exam
The good news is, getting an eye exam should be a straightforward, stress-free process. By keeping a regular schedule, you can avoid unpleasant surprises as we monitor your eye health for any changes.
Here’s a glimpse of what typically happens during an eye exam:
- Patient history review: We will ask about your medical history and any vision concerns. Keep track of anything you notice throughout the year—this is the perfect time to bring it up.
- Visual acuity test: This test measures how clearly you can see, typically by having you read off an eye chart. It’s one of the key tests for determining if you need prescription lenses.
- Eye pressure test: Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of vision loss, but it often first presents without any symptoms. We can check for early warning signs by measuring your eye pressure and looking for other warning signs.
- Examining eye health: We have access to modern diagnostic tools such as retinal cameras to examine your internal eye structures and check that everything is as it should be.
- Additional tests: Depending on your age and needs, we may perform further tests, like colour vision or depth perception tests.
The Benefits of Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams are the only way to update your prescription, but they’re also an investment in your overall health. Some of the benefits of regular checkups include:
- Detecting eye diseases early: Many conditions, such as glaucoma, develop without noticeable symptoms at first. Early detection through routine exams enables timely treatment and can preserve your vision.
- Getting the most out of your vision: Whether it’s finding the perfect prescription or recommending treatments like contacts, your optometrist has the tools to help optimize how you see the world.
- Monitoring your overall health: Your eyes can reveal signs of systemic health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, or even autoimmune conditions. This way, an eye exam helps keep your entire body in check.
- Enjoying better quality of life: Clear vision can boost your confidence, productivity, and ability to engage fully in the things you love most.
Our goal is for you to leave your appointment feeling confident, knowing exactly where your eye health stands and what steps to take next.
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Your eyes are your window to the world—and taking care of them should always be a top priority. With regular eye exams, you can stay ahead of potential vision issues and protect the health of your eyes for years to come.
If it’s been a while since your last checkup, now is the perfect time to prioritize your eye care. Contact Dr. Zargar Eyecare today to book your appointment and experience personalized eye care.
