How Often Do I Need an Eye Exam?
How Often Do I Need an Eye Exam?
How Often Do I Need an Eye Exam?
How Often Do I Need an Eye Exam?
Eye exams give insight into your eye health and your overall health. In a way, your eyes are a window into the health of your body. In the same way that dental visits are essential, eye exams are also vital. Even if you do not have to wear glasses because your vision is fantastic, it is still advisable to have yearly eye exams.
An eye exam is a series of tests that an eye doctor conducts to check different aspects of your visual health. Some of these involve examining the internal structures of the eye. Some primary health conditions present symptoms in the inner eye structures before they manifest in the rest of the body.
Why Is an Eye Exam Important?
The eye is the only organ where a doctor can get a clear look at your blood vessels and their health without cutting into your body. Blood vessels can tell much about your overall health. An eye doctor can spot underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, lupus, or high cholesterol through a comprehensive eye exam.
Most eye conditions do not present symptoms until they are advanced. Most of these need to be detected early for effective treatment. Some of these conditions are glaucoma and macular degeneration.
How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
Children
Children three years and younger should see a pediatric eye doctor. They will check for the most common eye conditions and examine the development of your child’s eyes. Some common conditions in children are amblyopia or lazy eye, strabismus or misaligned eyes, and myopia. When your child is between three and five years old, they will have a more comprehensive eye exam.
School-going Children and Adolescents
Every child should have a comprehensive eye exam before they start kindergarten. The eye doctor can advise on how often your child should have an eye exam from this eye exam.
Adults
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, most people have heightened risk of developing eye conditions when they turn 40 or later. The eye doctor will determine how frequently you should have an exam after this age, since the frequency may need to increase.
When you turn 60, it is best to have an exam every two years if you have no issues. If you have some issues, your frequency should be higher. Here are some instances that may require you to have more exams:
If you must use prescriptive eyewear
If your family has a history of eye conditions
If you have an underlying disease that can affect your eye health
If you are on medication that can cause side effects and impact your ocular health
What to Expect in an Eye Exam?
First, the eye doctor will take your medical history. They will want to know if your family has any history of eye health issues. After this, they will perform tests that check basic visual skills, such as the visual acuity test.
They will then check your eye pressure. They may use dilating eye drops to allow them to look inside your eyes. They may shine lights in your eyes when the dilating eye drop takes full effect.
To find out how often you should get eye exams, contact Dr. Richard E. Hults & Associates at our offices in in Belden Village, Summit Mall, Westgate Mall, or Midway Mall in Ohio. Call (330) 252-7616, (330) 252-7457, (440) 755-2857, or (440) 687-6055, respectively to book an appointment today.
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