How Often Should I Get an Eye Exam?

If you keep on top of your health, you likely have annual appointments set up with your doctor and dentist. But did you know that it’s just as important to get a regular eye exam? Eye exams are crucial for protecting eyesight and spotting eye diseases early — it’s not enough to get a vision test. 

Below, we’ll go over how often adults and children should undergo an eye exam. We’ll also cover why regular eye exams are so important. If you can’t remember the last time you had an eye exam, it may be time to schedule an appointment. For an eye doctor in Tampa you can turn to again and again, look into the incredible team at Florida Eye Center. 

When to Schedule Your Next Eye Exam 

Generally, adults should undergo an eye exam every two to four years. Anyone who wears glasses or contact lenses should undergo once-a-year vision testing. The eye doctors at Florida Eye Center recommend a preschool examination for all children around their third birthday. Regular eye exams are especially important for children because eye disorders like amblyopia (lazy eye) can lead to vision loss. Unfortunately, less than 15 percent of preschool children undergo an eye exam. 

Related: Why It’s Important to Get Your Child’s Vision Checked

There are other groups at risk for eye conditions that should get an eye exam more frequently. Anyone suffering from diabetes, for example, should get a dilated eye exam every year to detect diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that can lead to blindness. Those at an increased risk for glaucoma — African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos over the age of 40, adults over the age of 60, and those with a family history of glaucoma — should have a dilated eye exam every two years. 

Related: Treating Glaucoma With Laser Eye Surgery

Why Are Regular Eye Exams So Important? 

During a comprehensive exam at Florida Eye Center, an eye specialist in Tampa can visualize the entire visual system, including the cornea, lens, and retina. Often, treatable retinal conditions go undetected because a person did not undergo an eye exam. Your eye health may not seem as important as other aspects of physical health, but a routine eye exam can help prevent vision loss and blindness in both adults and children. Eye exams can even help detect other serious health problems, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, and cancer. 

When it comes to your eye health, it’s simply not worth it to wait around until a problem presents itself. An eye exam conducted at Florida Eye Center is a simple, pain-free procedure that can be completed in a single afternoon. If you’re considering scheduling an eye exam, take a look at our patient resources and let us know if you have any questions. The friendly staff at Florida Eye Center would be more than happy to assist you. 

To schedule a consultation with an eye doctor in Tampa at the Florida Eye Center, please request an appointment today.

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