Our schedules are so busy and so many things are going on that I bet it has been ages since you’ve seen the eye doctor.
The exceptions, of course, are those who have serious eye changes. But I bet, even the majority of you have waited too long to set up an appointment with your Optometrist.
The eyes are very complex organ system and can be the first signs that a serious medical issue is happening. If you’ve experience a loss of vision, change in vision, double vision, eye pain, serious eye redness, and a host of other eye related symptoms. It is probably time that you bite the bullet and schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.
Diseases such as glaucoma, diabetes, Multiple sclerosis, retinal detachment, and several other diseases can be seen as changes in the eye.
Factors that Determine how often you should see an Eye Doctor
1.) Symptoms that alarm you or your family
2.) Age – the older you get, the more often you need to be seen
3.) Eye Health – If you are often getting infections, vision changes, or a change to your prescription – you should be seen more often.
4.) Family history – If your family has a history of some of the more serious eye medical issues or diabetes – you should be seen more often.
When should Children see the Eye Doctor?
Children should have some sort of eye exam early in their lives. This will often be done by your primary care physician. They may be looking at a wall evaluation piece with shapes and such. If obvious vision changes are noted – then a referral to an eye doctor may be in order.
Beginning at age 3 – children should be checked every one to two years by their pediatricians.
If younger, school aged children start to develop eye changes – they need to be seen quickly. Development and educational advancement is lost quickly when a child is unable to see the board quickly.
I first went to the Eye doctor in 1st grade and got my first pair of glasses. I had complained about not seeing things on the board. It happened x 3 weeks in and it took me another 3 months to catch up with the rest of the students.
Adolescents
They should be seen every two years unless they wear glasses or contacts or if an Eye Doctor specifically wants to see them sooner.
Many eye injuries occur at this age. Even if the symptoms improve – it may, in some cases, be helpful to visit the eye doctor after serious eye injuries.
Adults – Ages 20 to 40
If you wear eyeglass or contact lenses – you need to be seen yearly.
If normal vision continues with an adult who doesn’t wear corrective lenses – they can usually wait two to three years in-between visits.
If a change occurs to the vision, an appointment should be made quickly following the change.
If you have normal vision but have diabetes – you should be checked yearly. This may also be the case for other medical issues.
Adults – Over the age of 40
At age 40 – most adults should have a eye screening. Things such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and many other eye conditions should be evaluated. Age causes several eye changes and/or damage.
If you have no corrective lenses and a normal Age 40 check. You can be seen every two years.
If there are problems or you wear corrective lenses – you still must be checked yearly.
Another age check should be done around age 60-65. From that point – depending on what is already been happening for the last several decades, specialized or specific guidelines will be given.
It is safe to say that yearly checks are recommended for some.
Overall
Eye examinations are vital and important to maintaining a good eye health and really a good overall health. Losing your eyesight when it could have been preventable is a devastating problem. Simple eye examinations can really be beneficial.
Don’t lose sight of the need to be checked for something, even if you are healthy. A slight modification early can really prevent a serious problem down the road.
