How Often Should You Get Eye Exams? An Age-by-Age Guide

Regular eye exams are a crucial part of maintaining good vision and overall eye health. Many people only schedule an eye exam when they notice a change in their vision, but waiting for symptoms can lead to undetected eye conditions that may progress over time. The frequency of eye exams varies depending on age, health status, and risk factors. Below is an age-by-age guide to help you understand how often you should schedule your eye exams.

Infants and Toddlers

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that infants have their first comprehensive eye exam at six months old. This early evaluation ensures proper eye development and detects potential vision problems, such as lazy eye or misalignment.

Preschoolers (3-5 Years)

Children should have another eye exam at three years old to check for any developing vision issues that could impact learning and development. If no issues are detected, the next exam should be before they start school, around age five.

School-Age Children (6-18 Years)

Children’s vision plays a key role in academic success, so they should have an annual eye exam to monitor changes in vision and detect conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and eye coordination issues. Since kids' vision can change rapidly, routine exams help prevent learning difficulties linked to poor eyesight.

Adults (19-39 Years)

Even if you have perfect vision, eye exams should be scheduled annually to detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, dry eye syndrome, or digital eye strain. Many adults assume their vision is stable, but regular exams help catch problems before they become serious.

Middle-Aged Adults (40-64 Years)

At this stage, many people begin to experience presbyopia, which affects near vision. Annual eye exams become even more essential to monitor changes and check for age-related conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. If you have underlying health conditions like diabetes or hypertension, your eye doctor may recommend more frequent exams.

Seniors (65 and Older)

The risk of eye diseases increases significantly with age, making yearly eye exams critical for early detection and management of conditions like cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Regular eye exams help preserve vision and maintain quality of life.

When Should You Get More Frequent Eye Exams?

Some individuals may need eye exams more than once a year, especially if they:

•          Have a family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or other eye diseases

•          Have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions that can affect vision

•          Experience sudden vision changes, eye pain, or floaters

•          Wear contact lenses and need regular check-ups for eye health

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

Routine eye exams are essential at every stage of life to maintain clear vision and detect potential eye health issues before they progress. Whether you’re a child, an adult, or a senior, annual eye exams provide the best opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment, ensuring lifelong eye health.

Schedule your annual eye exam with Eye Care Center and take a proactive step toward maintaining healthy vision for years to come. Visit our offices are in Fridley, Maplewood, and Maple Grove, Minnesota. Call (763) 308-8440, (651) 777-3555, or (763) 420-6981 today.