Eye Exam Recommendations for Adults

Several factors determine when and how often adults should have an eye exam.  These factors include, age, family history and health. Below are our guidelines to maintain a lifetime of healthy vision. 

• People between the ages of 18 and 30 that consider themselves healthy and as having “perfect”vision” should have their eyes checked at least every five years.

• By age 40, everyone should have a baseline eye exam even if they aren’t experiencing any eye problems or symptoms.Many eye diseases begin in midlife but are not noticeable until later and after significant damage have occurred.

• Age 65 and older should have their eyes checked every year. By age 65, one in three Americans will have a vision impairing eye disease such as cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration.  The earlier the doctor discovers and treats the disease, the better the chance of preserving good vision.

Annual eye exams are recommended for adults with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, taking prescription drugs that cause eye related side effects and/or who wear contact lenses.

If you have any doubt how often you should have your eyes examined, call Carolina Ophthalmology Associates for professional guidance.