When should I start having complete eye exams?
- Children should have a vision screening by the time they start pre-school. Vision screening should be done sooner, if you suspect that there is a problem with your child’s vision.
- Ages 20 to 39: A complete eye exam every five to 10 years. If you have contact lenses or glasses, you need yearly eye exams. Some symptoms or disorders require more frequent eye exams.
- Ages 40 and older: If you have no risk factors or current eye conditions you should have a complete eye exam: Ages 40 to 54, every two to four years; ages 55 to 64, every one to three years; ages 65 and older every one to two years.
Depending on your eye health and any current symptoms, illness or risk factors, your ophthalmologist may suggest more frequent complete eye exams.
Complete eye exams consist of:
- Questions about eye or vision problems, review of glasses or contact lens history, your overall health and family medical history.
- Check three-dimensional vision.
- Check peripheral vision.
- Checking eye muscles.
- Reading the Snellen chart to check your vision. This test has you read letters on a line that become smaller line-by-line.
- Your ophthalmologist will place different lenses in front of your eye, one at a time, so you can determine through which lens you can best read.
- Pupil dilation (done by putting drops in your eyes) allows your ophthalmologist to view your retina, blood vessels and optic nerve.
Complete Eye Exams can determine what problems or conditions?
- Cataracts
- Diabetes
- Glaucoma
- High blood pressure
- Macular degeneration
Complete Eye Exam risks?
There is little pain or discomfort with a complete eye exam. If you have your pupils dilated during the complete eye exam, you may need to have someone else drive you home because your eyes may be light sensitive.
Complete Eye Exam results?
After your complete eye exam you may need:
- A change in glasses or contact lens prescription.
- Further care for any diagnosis or abnormal test result.
Complete eye exams are important for your vision and overall health. Many eye diseases are curable or treatable if detected early.