A man sits for an eye exam with a physician.
A man sits for an eye exam with a physician.
A man sits for an eye exam with a physician.

Eye Exam

What's an eye exam?

During an eye exam, an eye healthcare provider looks at your health history and gives you a series of eye tests. The tests are done to check the health of your eyes. He or she checks for problems that can develop over time, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. You’ll also be checked to see if your vision needs correcting with prescription lenses. If you already wear lenses, your prescription will be checked to confirm it’s still right for you. 

When should you get an eye exam?

When are eye exams needed? The answer varies by age, risk, and symptoms:

Age

Low risk for eye problems, no eye symptoms

Higher risk for eye problems (see below)

Problems such as visual changes, pain, flashes of light, new floaters, excess tears, or injury to the eye

Ages 18 to 60

Every 2 years

Every 1 to 2 years, or as advised by your eye healthcare provider

See your eye healthcare provider now

Ages 61 and older

Every year

Every year, or as advised by your eye healthcare provider

See your eye healthcare provider now

Are you at higher risk for eye problems?

Talk with your eye healthcare provider to find out if you need eye exams more often. You may be at higher risk of certain eye problems. African Americans are at higher risk for glaucoma. People with diabetes are at risk for several eye disorders. These include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. You may need eye exams more often if you have any of the below:

And you may need eye exams more often if you:

  • Work in a job that can cause eye injury of any kind

  • Take medicines with side effects that can cause changes in the eyes

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