When to Schedule an Eye Exam

How long has it been since you had your last eye exam? If you aren’t sure or if you know it has been awhile then it’s probably time to get in touch with your doctor’s office and make an appointment! In this blog we are going to discuss the importance of making sure you have a routine eye exam and when exactly you need to have it.

What does a regular eye exam mean? A routine eye exam is defined as an office visit for the purpose of checking a person’s vision and screening for an eye disease. During your exam you will also be asked your medical history and if you have been experiencing any vision issues. With all of this information your eye doctor will be to provide you with the best care possible.

How often should you have an eye exam? Your age and other risk factors really determine when and how often you need to have an eye exam. Patients at any age whose vision isn’t considered “at-risk” should have a comprehensive eye exam every year. If you are an “at-risk” patient your eye care provider will determine the best schedule for you to have your eyes examined.

I bet after reading that you wonder what “at-risk” means! Well, do you have family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration? If so, you may fall under the “at-risk” category. Also, diabetes, hypertension, and prescription medications with vision-related side effects increase a person’s chance of developing an eye disease so these are another few reasons your eye doctor may want to keep a closer eye on you.

5 Signs that it is Time for an Eye Exam

Blurred Vision – if your vision is starting to blur, you may need glasses or your prescription may need to be updated

Frequent Headaches – eye strain can cause headaches but if you are having to strain to see objects that are close by then you may be farsighted and should have your eyes checked

Floaters or bright flashes – having a few floaters here and there normally isn’t anything to be concerned about but if you notice that you seem to be having a lot of floaters and with bright flashes of light you need to schedule an appointment right away. These are symptoms of retinal detachment which must be treated as quickly as possible.

Light sensitivity – a little sensitivity is normal but if the sensitivity suddenly gets bad a could indicate an eye infection

Difficulty driving at night – Are you having a hard time driving at night? If so, you are not alone millions of Americans do. In many cases you may just need glasses but you also could have something more serious going on like cataracts.