How Often Should You Have A Comprehensive Eye Exam?

The Importance of Extensive Eye Exams

Comprehensive eye tests are essential for maintaining ocular health and monitoring for signs of eye disease injury, allergy, infection, or visual motor deficits and neurological impairment. The question is: How frequently are such examinations necessary?

Factors Determining How Often You Should Have An Exam

Age and health are important factors in determining the ideal frequency of such testing. While reputable optometric organizations offer general guidelines the most accurate determination should always come from your personal eye doctor. Depending on the nature of the testing, such assessments can take 30-90 minutes

The American Optometric Association recommends the following guidelines for scheduling eye assessments:

Babies/Children

6-12 Months- Low Risk: Once within this period

High Risk: Once, or as recommended by an optometrist

3-5 Years- Low Risk: Once

High Risk: Once, or as recommended

6-7 Years- Low Risk: Once before 1st grade, followed by annual exams

High Risk: Once, or as recommended

Adults:

18-39- Low Risk: At least every 2 years

High Risk: Annually, or as recommended

40-64- Low Risk: At least every 2 years

High Risk: Every 2 years or as recommended

65+: Annually for low-risk seniors

High Risk: Annually, or as recommended

Health Conditions, Age, and Other Factors

Those with higher risk factors requiring more frequent testing include:

Those with a family history that makes them vulnerable to ocular diseases such as glaucoma or diabetes
People taking steroids or other medications that can affect vision
Those who wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, and require more frequent visits to assess changesPreparing for your exam:
Bring your glasses or contact lenses to the appointment
Be prepared to speak about your personal and family medical history, your diet and exercise, and your current medications Ask for clarification if you require information

Health Conditions, Age, and Other Factors

Symptoms of Conditions Requiring Immediate Care

If you notice symptoms of eye related injury, infection, allergy, visual-motor, or neurological deficits, contact your optometrist as soon as possible. Depending on the severity, emergency medical intervention may be necessary. Be careful to look for any symptoms following a head injury or trauma.

Signs that warrant attention include:

double vision, loss of vision, or blurriness
pain and discomfort of the orbital region
Swelling, redness, drainage, discharge, or crustiness
a feeling that something is lodged in the eye
bulging eyes
floaters
difficulty with balance or gaifever or nausea

How To Take Care Of Your Eyes

There are several measures you can take to maintain your eye health.

Speak with your optometrist to determine how often to schedule routine testing for general visual acuity and comprehensive examinations for a more thorough assessment of overall eye health. Trained optometrists can monitor for diseases and detect symptoms that are missed by laypeople.
Wear protective goggles to prevent injuries during sports, or from work environments where there is a high risk for ocular trauma.
Maintain proper hygiene by adopting appropriate sanitary habits to prevent infection or the risk of spreading it.
Proper diet and exercise are crucial for preventing health disorders such as diabetes, which in addition to other health complications can lead to vision disorders. Smoking, alcohol, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are additional factors that make one susceptible to ocular disease, as are certain medications such as those that are steroid based.
Always follow-up with an optometrist after noting any signs of infection, injury, allergy, or visual-motor and neurological deficits.

Common Questions

Is there a difference between a regular eye exam and a comprehensive one?

Yes. While both are important, a regular test assesses vision acuity and monitors current prescriptions for corrective lenses. Extensive testing checks overall visual health. Speak with your optometrist to find out how often you should schedule both types of testing.

What else does an optometrist look for?

An optometrist assesses overall visual health and monitors for such serious complications as glaucoma, infection, injury, or difficulties involving visual-motor or neurological deficits.

What should I expect when coming in for an eye exam?

A few things can be expected when coming in for an eye exam. Every patient will be greeted by the front desk. For first time patients there will be some paperwork to fill out, namely intake forms. First time patients should also bring their insurance information if applicable. Returning patients need only arrive at the office and wait to be seen. If a patient wears glasses they should bring in their most recent pair so the doctors can take a look. Lastly, everyone should have an enjoyable and safe experience.

How often should you have an eye exam once you turn 40?

You should have your eyes tested once a year if you are 40 or older. The reason is that we are more likely to develop eye diseases as we age, such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye and presbyopia. An annual comprehensive eye exam can detect these diseases early, even before any symptoms show. However, this is a general rule, and depending on your medical and family history, some patients need to come back as much as every few months, if your eye doctor is monitoring for potential progression of eye disease. It is very important to follow the recommendations of frequency given to you by your eye doctor. Many eye diseases cause irreversible vision loss which could have been prevented if an eye doctor was monitoring the patient more frequently.

Summary

Regular eye tests assess visual acuity. Comprehensive eye exams are essential for maintaining overall visual health. While age, health, and family history are important factors in determining the frequency of testing, speak with an optometrist to determine how frequently you should schedule both types of evaluations to maintain your ocular health.

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I haven't actually used the optometrist side, so my review is limited to the vision therapy offered. This office was recommended by my occupational therapist for the treatment of my double vision following a stroke.

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My husband and I were immediately impressed with Dr Ikeda. I was hit by a car while cycling which caused broken bones and three brain injuries. The brain injuries caused double vision. Dr. Ikeda examined my eyes and got me started on vision therapy with his occupational therapist who specializes in vision therapy. She (Chris) is absolutely great. I am impressed with the array of tools used to help recover my binocular vision. I am doing things I never thought were possible (balance boards etc). Chris pushes me and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy my sessions with her. The office staff is always friendly and they have a wonderful appointment reminder tool that makes it easy to keep my calendar up to date. I am happy the rehab center at Little Co. of Mary recommended them!!

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The Vision Therapy is handled in a separate office through a different door from the shared waiting room. Chris, the vision therapist, has a wide and varied assortment of tools, equipment and resources to best evaluate and treat most vision issues. After just a few visits, my double vision became easier to control, using exercises developed during the therapy process. It was time well-spent.

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