Eyes provide so many benefits to us. They allow us to take in information and to see the faces of our loved ones. They provide a way to communicate and to connect. To protect and potentially improve your vision, it is a good idea to get an eye exam. Continue reading to learn the benefits of eye exams and how often you should get an eye exam.

How Often To Get An Eye Exam

Eye exams provide a myriad of benefits, but at what frequency should you get an eye exam? The answer to this question relies entirely on your age. Recommendations will also change based on your medical history and whether you already wear glasses or contacts. 

6 Months

Most doctors recommend having your baby’s eyesight checked when they reach 6 months of age. As your baby grows, make sure to look out for indications of eye strain, although these indications may not show up until later.

6 Years

We recommend that if you have a child that will soon be entering kindergarten that you take them to get an eye exam. Soon the child will be learning to read and asked to use their eyes, so it is important that they can see clearly. As your child grows, they will be able to express their feelings and pain better.

This is when you will be able to spot indications of eye strain. If your child tells you that they have headaches or that they are tired, if they frequently blink or rub their eyes, tilt their head to the side, have difficulty paying attention in school, or squint, then they could be in need of a pair of glasses or have some sort of eye problem.

6-20 Years

It is advisable to get an eye exam every two years to ensure that you or your child’s eyesight is doing well. Eye exams should be every six months if you wear glasses in order to ensure that the prescription is still appropriate and working correctly. Always be in contact with your optometrist or doctor if you suspect that your child has eye issues.

20-40 Years

For adults who are within the age range of 20-39, it is recommended to have a complete eye exam every two to three years. The older that you are, the more likely you are to have rapid vision loss. If you feel that your vision is changing, get in contact with your doctor.

40-65 Years

During this time period, your eyes go through a lot. Vision will begin to decline and the lenses of your eyes will begin to harden. As the lenses harden, people begin to develop nearsightedness. An eye exam can help you to know if you are in need of reading glasses as well as prevent any other diseases. We recommend going to get an exam every couple of years or so.

65+ Years

At this point, it is important to get a yearly eye exam. This is because seniors are more likely to develop severe vision problems. An eye exam can help to prevent or better eye issues.

Benefits of Eye Exams

One of the first benefits of eye exams is that they provide overall health benefits. When you get your eyes checked out, you are not only checking for issues for your eyes but you are also checking for issues with overall health. The eyes are one of the first areas of the body that show illness. Getting regular eye exams can help detect health issues early.

Another benefit of getting regular eye exams is that it will determine if you need further eye enhancements. Eye exams are the way that people typically discover whether they need to wear contact lenses or glasses. Without the proper glasses or contacts, people may develop eye strain and other eye problems.

An eye exam also provides the ability to test for problems including diseases like glaucoma and cataracts. With an eye exam, you ensure that you or your child is not at risk for developing disease, and can take any preventative measures that are required.

If you go to an eye exam and find that you are in need of a new pair of glasses, reach out to us at Wolcott Optical. We would be happy to help you find a pair of glasses that suits your personality and provides the proper eye correction options.