How Often Should You Have A Comprehensive Eye Exam?

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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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At Amplify with Dr Wernick I was seeking help for seemingly intractable, probably age-related dryness. I've seen other doctors about it, and that has been helpful, but what he explained to me about it and the careful way he answered all my questions gave me so much more of a clear understanding of what is going on (and is not) that I am more able to implement all his and others' recommendations than I was before. And he gave me additional resources for further follow-up. I am most grateful.

Cynthia Norton

Wow! This is a great Eye Care medical facility. I was thoroughly examined by Dr. Pinkhasov for over 2 hours. She made sure to check my eyes for pretty much everything and patiently explained proper care for my eyes. They definitely know how to provide great care and treat their patients right. Now I know why they have such a great reputation and been around for so long.

Steve Fay

Dr. Kavner is a gifted diagnostician and orthoptic therapist. He treated me several decades ago for a condition similar to dyslexia. I was having migraines five times per week. I worked with him for about a year and I experienced tremendous improvement (down to 3-4 per year) that has lasted.

Mary K.

Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!

Peter G.

Dr. Kavner recommended two types of eye therapy for my daughter. One of them using bio-feedback. In just three sessions she is seeing considerably better. She shouted this morning: Ooh my God! I could not see these letters with my glasses on, and now I can see them without my glasses. If you are willing and able to invest in improving your vision, this is a good place to go to!

Kinkie F.

I have always found Dr Kavner's work, expertise and wisdom of the highest caliber. As one of the fathers of OT, occupational othomology, his depth and breadth of knowledge about the eyes' health and wellbeing of the patient is exemplary. Cannot say enough good things about him.

Allen B.

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