It's easy to assume that if you can see clearly, your eyes are healthy. But a routine eye exam does more than check whether you need glasses or a stronger prescription. Eye doctors can spot signs of eye diseases and other health problems before you notice changes in your vision.
So... how often should you actually have an eye exam?
It depends on your age and your health
For many adults, an eye exam every one to two years is a good general guideline. Some people may need to go more often depending on their age, vision needs, family history and overall health.
Adults who wear glasses or contact lenses may benefit from regular exams to make sure their prescription is still working well. People with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of certain eye diseases may also need more frequent monitoring.
As you get older, regular exams become even more important. The risk of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration increases with age and some of these conditions can develop without obvious symptoms at first.
Don't wait until something feels wrong
One of the biggest reasons to keep up with eye exams is that many eye problems do not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
You might not realize your peripheral vision is changing or that pressure inside your eye is elevated. A comprehensive eye exam can give your eye doctor a chance to look for these changes before they start affecting your day-to-day life.
That doesn't mean every person needs to see an eye doctor on the same schedule. Your eye doctor can recommend an exam schedule based on your individual needs.
Your eyes can change even if your vision seems fine
Even if you have had the same prescription for years, your eyes are not necessarily staying the same. Changes can happen gradually and may be easy to overlook.
You may notice headaches after reading, more eye strain while working on a computer, difficulty seeing at night or a need to hold things farther away. These can all be reasons to schedule an exam rather than simply assuming they are part of getting older or spending too much time on screens.
Make Eye Exam Month your reminder
If it's been a while since your last eye exam, August is a convenient reminder to put one on the calendar. Click here to schedule your appointment with the Department of Ophthalmology.
Think of an eye exam as routine maintenance for your vision. You may walk out with the same prescription you came in with, but knowing your eyes have been checked is valuable in itself.
Your eyes do a lot for you every day. Taking a little time to check on them can help you keep seeing clearly for years to come.