December is when many people finally book the appointments they put off all year. If an eye exam is on that list, here is how often the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) suggests adults be seen, and what a complete exam should include.
How often to get your eyes checked
- Under 40 with healthy eyes: a complete exam every 5 to 10 years.
- By age 40: a baseline eye disease screening, when early signs of disease or vision changes may appear.
- 65 and older: every year or two, to check for cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
- Contact lens wearers: see an eye specialist every year.
- Diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease: do not wait. Ask your ophthalmologist how often you should be examined.
Call promptly, at any age, for an eye infection, injury or pain, or if you notice sudden floaters and flashes of light.
What a complete exam covers
The AAO says a comprehensive exam usually takes 45 to 90 minutes and includes:
- Your medical and family history and your medicines
- Visual acuity (the eye chart) and your glasses or contact lens prescription
- Pupil responses, side vision and eye movement
- Eye pressure, one check for glaucoma
- A slit-lamp look at the eyelids, cornea, iris and lens
- Dilation to examine the retina and optic nerve
Your doctor may add imaging such as OCT, retinal photos or a visual field test.
Tips for your visit
- Bring your glasses, contact lens boxes and a list of medicines.
- Bring sunglasses. Your eyes may be light-sensitive for a few hours after dilation.
- Plan a ride if dilation makes you uncomfortable driving.
Questions? Call our Westlake Village office at (805) 230-2126.
The most common thing I hear is, “I see fine, so I skipped it.” Many eye diseases do not cause symptoms early. A checkup is how we find them while they are still easy to manage.
Source: Eye Exam and Vision Testing Basics (American Academy of Ophthalmology). This article is an educational summary written by Khanna Vision Institute and is not a substitute for medical advice.