How often should one have their Eyes Examined?

When was the last time you had your eyes examined? It is a common question and you are likely to be asked it the next time you come into the eye doctor's office. But how often should you have your eyes examined?

The short answer for most individuals is every year. However, if you have diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of eye disease you may need to be followed more closely. A family history of macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, cataracts, and other conditions are particularly important to tell your eye physician at the time of your visit.

Childhood eye exams are also important to monitor proper visual development. Some conditions that might place a child more at risk for eye disease include premature birth, family history of retinoblastoma, congenital cataracts, high refractive error, and strabismus.

To see a detailed list of eye exam frequency recommendations from the American Optometric Association please click here.