Do you remember when you had your last eye exam? Many American adults can’t. And it makes sense – a visit to the eye doctor might seem like an easy task to put on the backburner. But you only get one set of eyes. You deserve to be able to take care of them!
Staying on top of your eye health isn’t just about vision. Your eyes can tell you a lot about your overall health, too. Regular exams can help detect eye-related symptoms that are linked to other conditions, such as diabetes, autoimmune issues, high blood pressure and more.
Before you add an eye exam to your calendar, you might have some questions first. Such as, how often do you really need to get your eyes checked? What kind of eye doctor should you see? What type of exam is best for you? We’re here to answer your questions.
How often should you get an eye exam?
Regular eye exams don’t just ensure your vision stays strong, which is important in itself. They can also help detect early signs of common eye disease, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration and more. But it’s a common misconception that you should go to the eye doctor annually. In fact, there are quite a few factors at play, and they differ for everyone.
Your age
As we get older, it’s normal for our vision to change. Near vision changes, trouble distinguishing colors and difficulty adjusting to light changes are common concerns. For seniors especially, these vision issues can increase the risk of falling and injury.
According to the American Optometric Association, adults 18-64 should visit their eye doctor for a comprehensive exam at least every two years, and those 65 and older should go in for annual checkups.
Eye conditions to keep your eye on
Your doctor may recommend more frequent eye exams and checkups if you’re at a higher risk of eye-related issues – and this doesn’t just come down to vision and prescription changes. You may need to see the eye doctor more often if you have or are at risk of developing conditions like:
- Amblyopia – decreased vision in one eye due to abnormal development in childhood
- Cataracts – the clouding of your eye’s lens
- Diabetic retinopathy – a condition that can affect those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- Glaucoma – an issue with the optic nerve that can result in vision loss
- Refractive errors – when you have difficulty focusing
- Macular degeneration – retinal deterioration that affects vision
- Low vision – having vision issues that can’t be helped with glasses or contacts
- Dry eyes – when your eyes don’t get the moisture they need, leaving them prone to injury or infection
Family history
If you have relatives with a history of eye health disorders, autoimmune issues or diabetes, your doctor may recommend you come in more frequently. During your first exam, tell your provider about any issues that run in your family, so they know to emphasize tests or screenings that could help detect warning signs.
If you have contact lenses
Around 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, and while many often experience no issues, frequent contact use can increase your risk of corneal ulcers, eye infection, irritation, pink eye and more. Taking proper care of your lenses goes a long way, but if you find yourself experiencing any problems, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. They may recommend more frequent visits if you’ve experienced these issues in the past or if you have a fluctuating prescription.
If you’ve had LASIK surgery
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a procedure that uses laser technology to change the shape of your cornea. Many people who’ve undergone this procedure experience sharper vision and no longer need glasses or contacts.
It’s a common misconception that once a person undergoes this procedure, they may not have to go to the eye doctor as much. In fact, LASIK patients should still attend their regular eye exams, even after their initial post-surgical healing period.
Signs you should get your eyes checked
Outside of routine testing, knowing when it’s time to see your eye doctor often comes down to symptoms. For many, this includes vision issues or discomfort, but not always. Vision problems can cause headaches, impact your balance and make daily activities more difficult.
Common signs you should see your eye doctor include:
- Blurry or double vision
- Frequent headaches or eye strain
- Night vision issues
- Flashing lights or large, distracting floaters
- Consistent dry, itchy eyes
- Light sensitivity
Types of eye exams
Not all visits to the eye doctor are the same. There are different types of eye exams you can choose to meet your individual needs. Some types of eye exams focus on specific conditions, like diabetes, some focus more on vision care and others involve a more overarching look at your eye health.
Vision exam
A vision exam (also known as a vision screening) is a vision test during which your provider will check your eyes for any vision impairments. They may also uncover symptoms that indicate an eye health issue that needs further examination, but a vision exam is more about your prescription and sight. At this appointment, you won’t necessarily explore the reason for an eye health risk or issue. To do that, you would need to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
Comprehensive eye exam
A comprehensive eye exam is a more hands-on consultation with your eye doctor. During this checkup, they’ll assess your vision and measure your overall eye health through a series of tests. Regular comprehensive exams are an important part of preventive care. And during your appointment, you can talk with your doctor about your medical history, ask questions and tell them about any symptoms you may be experiencing.
Some comprehensive eye exam tests will be able to determine whether you need glasses or contacts. If you do, your doctor will be able to direct you toward your next steps.
Eye exams for people with diabetes
For people with diabetes, regular eye exams are a critical part of diabetic care. Tests conducted at this appointment can tell your doctor if blood sugar levels are affecting your eye health. Diabetes – whether type 1 or type 2 – can hinder the body from using or storing sugar properly. Too much sugar in the blood stream can cause damage to blood vessels in the eyes (as well as across the body). Because of this, people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing eye issues like diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, cataracts or glaucoma.
Diabetic eye exams can be very similar to comprehensive eye exams. However, during a diabetes eye test, your eye doctor will pay special attention to your blood vessels and retina. This may include tests, such as dilation. During this procedure, your doctor will put specialized drops in your eyes to dilate or enlarge your pupils. This will give your doctor a better look into your eye so they can see the state of your blood vessels.
Contact lens exams
A contact lens exam is specific to those who wear contact lenses or are interested in trying them. Many eye clinics and optometrists offer specific contact lens exams. These will typically take place after a comprehensive exam.
During a contact lens exam, your provider will check your prescription and eye curvature to determine if contact lenses are a good choice for you, as well as which lens type and fit will work best for your eyes.
In most cases, to purchase contact lenses, you’ll need a current contact lens prescription, and you will need to buy the specific lenses your doctor has prescribed. Contact lens prescriptions in Minnesota are good for two years.
Eye exams for kids
As your little one grows and develops, so do their eyes. This is an important time to monitor eye health and vision changes, so you can catch any complications or issues early when they may be easier to treat or correct.
So, when should a child have their first eye exam? It really depends. Children undergo regular vision screenings with their primary doctor and through their school system. If there are concerns identified during either of these screenings or if you have concerns about their eyes, then you should see a pediatric eye care specialist.
If your kiddo is experiencing an eye or vision issue, or is at a higher risk of developing one, their eye doctor may recommend more frequent exams. Common indicators that your child might need more frequent eye exams include:
- Premature birth weight
- Family history of eye disease, amblyopia and strabismus
- Diagnosed or suspected neurodevelopmental issues
- Maternal smoking, alcohol use or infection
Choosing an optometrist vs. an ophthalmologist for your eye exam
Now that you know how often you should see an eye doctor, you might be wondering what kind of eye doctor you should go to. Typically, when people say “eye doctor” they mean an optometrist. These are eye and vision care providers who can examine, diagnose and treat diseases, conditions or disorders that affect your eyes.
Another commonly known type of eye doctor is an ophthalmologist. But what’s the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist? An ophthalmologist is an eye specialist with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree. They have specific experience diagnosing and treating difficult eye and vision issues. Like optometrists, ophthalmologists offer vision services like eye exams, but they can also provide medical and surgical eye care.
For most exams, an optometrist is the right call. However, for more intensive eye concerns or procedures like surgery, you’ll most likely be referred to an ophthalmologist by your eye doctor.
Comprehensive eye examinations usually take up to an hour, but an eye exam can go longer depending on what issues you want to discuss, what kind of results your exams yield and more.
So, what happens at an eye exam? Often you join your eye doctor in an exam room for a series of noninvasive tests. These tests measure eye function and health. And although some of the machines and tools they use may seem intimidating, measuring methods usually come down to lights and visuals that don’t touch your eyes.
Common tests or screenings you might experience during a comprehensive eye exam include:
- A visual acuity test: Often known as the “words on a wall” test, this simple screening is used to check your vision. Your doctor will have you read letters on a screen or wall. Each row of letters gets progressively smaller until you may no longer be able to read them.
- A visual refraction test: This screening is centered around vision correction. A doctor will put different lenses in front of your eyes to get a sense of what may look clear or blurry.
- Slit lamp: This test features a specialized scope your doctor will use to look closely at your eye. A beam of light helps them examine overall eye health, checking out your cornea, iris, lens and more.
- Ophthalmoscopy: During this test, your doctor will use a bright light to look at the back of your eye. It examines your retina and blood vessels to identify any signs of eye disease.
- Dilation: In some cases, your doctor may recommend that your eyes be dilated so they can look at the health of the retina, optic nerve and blood vessels. This is the same test that’s used during an eye exam for people with diabetes. The drops used to dilate your eyes often wear off in a couple of hours – most people can even drive after their eyes are dilated.
After this series of tests, your doctor will be able to tell you if they’ve noticed anything of concern. Then they’ll make their recommendations for what comes next, whether that’s additional testing or a plan of action you can work on together based on your results.
How much an eye exam costs depends on your coverage
The average cost of an eye exam without insurance is around $200. However, your overall price can depend on many factors, like where you live, how old you are and your medical history.
Vision insurance can help cover the cost of eye health services like eye exams, glasses, contacts and prescriptions, and may even offer additional discounts. But double check your coverage first – many medical health insurance plans do include an annual eye exam at no cost to you, though most don’t cover extensive vision services.
Scheduling your eye exam
If it’s been a while since you last got your eyes checked, don’t worry – you can get started today. If you’re looking to schedule an eye exam with an eye care specialist in your area, you have options. When you call to schedule your appointment, let your clinic know what kind of exam you’d like and note any symptoms you may be experiencing, so they’ll be able to make their recommendations. Your eye health is important, and you deserve to get the care you need.