The recommended duration between eye exams is different for everyone. A person’s age, certain risk factors, and health will all determine how often an optometrist will suggest having a full spectrum eye exam. However, a comprehensive eye exam is necessary for everyone at some point and can ensure a lifetime of healthy vision.
The Importance of Eye Exams
Even if a patient has never had problems with their vision, a regular eye exam can help to detect new problems before they get too out of hand. Unfortunately, the standard vision tests that children and adults receive at their regular physicals, check-ups, or the DMV are not enough to catch complex problems. Eye exams not only screen for obvious vision irregularities such as myopia, but they can also find early symptoms and indications of more serious problems such as glaucoma, keratoconus, and eye cancer. For most of these diseases, catching it early is the key to successful treatment.
In addition to finding eye problems, an eye exam in Denver can also help to find other health problems. The health of the eye, particularly in the blood vessels, can be a good indication of how the rest of the body is doing. Eye exams can help diagnose other conditions and diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, among others. Vision health is an important part of a patient’s overall health and ability to succeed in life.
Children Eye Exams
Children face different challenges today than their parents did. One of these challenges is a rise in myopia or nearsightedness. This condition is considered to be largely genetic, but may also be worsened by an increase in the use of electronic devices or by doing a lot of close-up work without giving the eyes a rest. Most optometrists suggest having an eye exam in the child’s first year of life, typically around six months. After this, it is a good idea to bring the child in every two years for another exam. It is also important for the child to have an exam before starting school as vision problems can impact the child’s ability to learn in the classroom.
Adult Eye Exams
Adults 18 years and older should have an eye exam every two years if they are not wearing glasses or contacts, or if there are no known conditions. However, if the patient has a prescription for glasses or contacts, or if they have any known vision impairments, they should visit the eye doctor every year to get a new prescription if needed or to check the status of their condition.
Senior Eye Exams
Adults over 60 years of age should visit the eye doctor every year even if their vision is still normal and healthy. This will ensure that any conditions that are related to age, such as cataracts, can be identified quickly. Regular eye exams can also ensure that the patient can still drive safely both during the day and at night.
Individuals with Risk Factors
Patients with certain risk factors should go to the eye doctor more often. Eye problems can often be genetic, so anyone with a family history of eye disease, keratoconus, or other vision problems, should be checked at least once per year. Other factors such as diabetes, obesity, or an injury to the eye are reasons for more frequent exams.
Other Indications for an Eye Exam
An eye exam can be scheduled at any time during the year even if it is not the time for a routine exam. Patients should always look for other indications of vision health that may need more urgent attention. Any patient experiencing eye discomfort such as dry, itchy, or sensitive eyes should schedule an appointment. A sudden onset of floaters, spots, or flashes of light may be an indication of vision problems as well. Patients who notice themselves or their children squinting or stepping closer to objects to see them may want to have an eye exam. Difficulty driving at night, red or bloodshot eyes, dizziness, eye injury, or any other changes in vision should be immediately checked by an optometrist.
In conclusion, individuals with healthy eyes can get their vision checked every two years, while patients with glasses, contact lenses, or certain risk factors should schedule an appointment once a year. Any changes in vision or any discomfort warrant a call to an optometrist to check for any vision problems. Regular eye exams are the foundation of healthy eyesight. No one, even individuals with perfect vision, should go without having their eyes checked for potential problems. Early diagnosis is crucial to successfully treating most issues, and eye exams can help to prevent future problems.