In general, adults should have their eyes checked at least once every two years. How often you should get an eye exam depends on several factors, including your age, if you wear glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision, and if you’re at higher risk for developing eye disease.
Read on to learn how often you should go to the eye doctor and why it’s important to stay on top of your eye health.
You may think the only people who need regular eye exams are the ones who wear glasses or contacts for vision correction. It’s true that your eye doctor will adjust your vision prescription if needed during your appointment, but there are other reasons to make eye exams part of your preventative health care routine.
One of the biggest benefits of routine eye exams is they allow your eye doctor to regularly check your vision and eye health so they can track changes and recommend any necessary treatments. These exams make it possible for your doctor to detect early signs of some eye diseases, even before you notice symptoms.
During an exam, your eye doctor will assess the internal structures of your eyes and check for signs of numerous eye conditions, including:
Your eye doctor may also be able to detect signs of other health conditions, such as:
How often you should get an eye exam can vary by age. Here are the American Optometric Association’s guidelines for how often you should get your eyes checked as an adult:
There are different guidelines regarding eye exam frequency for children.
If you have any of the following risk factors, your eye doctor may recommend more frequent eye exams:
Remember, you need to get a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years even if you don’t wear glasses or contacts for vision correction. This is still true if you’ve had corrective eye surgery such as LASIK, SMILE, or PRK. It’s important for your eye doctor to check your vision and make sure your eyes are healthy.
The older you get, the more important it is to have an eye exam at least once every year. Here are some reasons why:
Even if you see your eye doctor regularly, there are some times when you shouldn’t wait. Make an appointment as soon as possible if you encounter any of these situations:
Most vision insurance policies cover one eye exam per year. Not all vision plans are the same so be sure to check your policy to find out what’s covered and what your co-pay will be.
If you don’t have vision insurance, it’s a good idea to do some research before scheduling an appointment. The cost of an eye exam can vary depending on where you live, the type of practice you visit (private practice vs. retail optical store), and other factors.
Most vision insurance plans also include coverage toward prescription glasses or contact lenses each year. Contact your provider to find out what you qualify for.
FramesDirect is considered an out-of-network provider for most vision plans, but some plans may offer reimbursement for prescription eyewear purchased from our site.
If your plan includes out-of-network benefits, you can apply for reimbursement after ordering your prescription eyeglasses from FramesDirect. If you have any questions about filing a reimbursement request, our team of expert opticians can help guide you through the process.