How often should you have an eye examination?
Published on
How often you should have an eye examination depends on your age, medical history and whether you have symptoms of eye problems. However, general guidelines can help you decide when it is time for an ophthalmic check-up:
Children and teenagers
- Before the age of 3: If a child has a squint (a deviation of either eye), the pupil does not look black or there is another warning sign, advice should be sought as soon as possible.
- From 3 to 5 years: The recommended age for a first examination in healthy children without a family history.
- Between 6 and 18 years: Examinations every 1 or 2 years. If the child wears glasses or there is a family history of eye problems, the frequency of check-ups should be personalised.
Young adults (19–39 years)
- Without previous vision problems: An examination every 2–3 years is sufficient.
- If you wear glasses or contact lenses: An annual examination is recommended to ensure that the prescription is still appropriate.
- Risk factors: If you have a family history of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetes or other risk conditions, examinations should be annual, always depending on the ophthalmologist's recommendations.
Middle-aged adults (40–64 years)
From the age of 40, the risk of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration increases. A comprehensive eye examination is therefore recommended at least every 2 years, even without symptoms.
Older adults (65 years and over)
An annual eye examination is important to monitor the development of age-related conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration, or vision problems associated with systemic diseases such as diabetes.
Specific diseases or conditions
- Diabetes: People with diabetes should have an annual eye examination to detect diabetic retinopathy.
- High blood pressure: It can also increase the risk of vision problems, so regular check-ups are important.
- Symptoms of vision problems: If you experience symptoms such as blurred vision, eye pain, flashes of light, floaters, redness or difficulty seeing at night, see an ophthalmologist immediately, regardless of when you had your last check-up.
Regular eye examinations are essential to detect vision problems in time, even before obvious symptoms appear. If you are unsure how often to be examined, consult an ophthalmologist, who can assess your individual needs and establish a personalised eye care plan. Caring for your eyes is an investment in your health and quality of life!
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn much more about your vision. You can also read our latest articles on the blog, where we discuss different eye conditions, symptoms and treatments.