A question many people ask their local optometrist is how often should they have an eye exam?
Well, as a general rule of thumb, the industry standard is that you should get yours checked out at least once every two years.
However, there are some circumstances where you might need to book an eye test with 1001 Optometry or another such company much sooner than that.
In this post, we will highlight why it is so important to get your eyes tested regularly and what will be looked out for when you do.
We’ll also identify those times when it is important to make an appointment straight away, which will be handy for you to know moving forward.
Why Do I Need to Get My Eyes Tested Regularly?
Our eyes are important, as they enable us to best see, navigate, and react to the world around us.
Without good eyesight, we can’t appreciate the beauty of the world, such as a stunning sunset or pristine beach. We also can’t see the smiles and joy on the faces of the people we love the most or do everyday things like read a book or watch TV as easily.
Perhaps most importantly, our eyes protect us from the dangers that other senses might not pick up, e.g., hazards on the road when driving or the oncoming presence of potentially threatening people.
Around 19 million Brits regularly miss their routine eye test, and some 13% of Australians have never had one.
But when you consider that 90% of all sight loss conditions are preventable if detected early enough, it should become clear why it is so important to get your eyes tested regularly.
What do they look for during an eye test?
One of the main reasons people miss an eye test is because they don’t see the immediate value in them. This is particularly true if they are not wearing contacts or glasses and do not have symptoms like blurriness or dryness that are causing them any issues.
However, having regular eye examinations is important because they test for a range of conditions, including the following:
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Vision Problems
During an eye exam, the optician will test and evaluate your visual acuity, i.e., your ability to see at various distances. They will also look out for issues such as near or farsightedness.
As vision changes tend to happen gradually over time, you might not be aware of a decline in your ability to see clearly. Indeed, your brain is so adept at managing gradual vision loss that it can even trick you into believing there is nothing wrong with your sight!
This is another reason why it is important to get your eyes tested regularly, as it gives the optician a baseline to work with for comparison on future check-ups.
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Eye Diseases
Another thing a regular eye test will flag is the potential threat of diseases like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Even if you are blessed with a 20/20 vision, you can still be susceptible to these conditions, especially if they are hereditary.
The earlier you can catch these ailments, the more successful you can be at treating them.
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Other Health Conditions
You have probably heard of the saying ‘the eyes are the window to the soul’. But you might not be aware that they can also be a way of detecting other health issues you might be suffering from.
As opticians get a clear view of your nerve tissue and blood vessels, they can spot the possible presence of the following conditions through a comprehensive eye exam.
They include:
- Brain tumours
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Lupus
- Parkinson’s disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Thyroid disease
How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam
We mentioned at the very start of this article that you should get your eyes regularly tested every two years on average.
That rule tends to apply to those aged 19 to 64. However, if you fall on either side of those age groups, it is advisable to get them tested on a more regular basis.
For instance, as a young child’s eyesight changes as they develop, it is a good idea to get them tested between the ages of 6-12 months. You should also arrange another appointment for them between the ages of three and five before they start prep or junior school.
During their school years, children should have their eyes tested every year because as they grow, rapid vision changes could arise as a result of the way their bodies develop.
If a person is aged over 65, they should have a regular eye test as well. Unfortunately, seniors are more prone to cataracts, presbyopia, and other vision problems that can result from other underlying health conditions.
When Should You See an Optician Immediately?
No matter how well you look after your eyes, there are some occasions when you should make an appointment to see your optician immediately, even if you just recently had one.
If any of the following symptoms are causing you an issue, then book an appointment with your eye doctor as quickly as you can.
- Any pain in your eyes
- Changes in your ability to see
- Constant dryness, redness, or itchiness in your eyes
- Difficulty reading road signs while night driving or things up close
- Halos around lights or flashes of light
- Small floating specks in your line of vision
- Something gets or was dislodged in your eyes.
