How Often You Need to See an Optometrist?

The tricky part about diagnosing eye conditions is that most patients don’t notice changes in their vision until their condition progresses or unless the change is abrupt and significant. That’s because whenever a patient’s vision deteriorates, the brain automatically adapts to compensate for the changes in their vision, tricking them into thinking their vision is fine even though it has already deteriorated. That’s why routine eye exams and visits to your eye doctor are essential to maintaining vision health. 

How Often Should You Get Your Eyes Checked?

It depends on your age. As you age, your risk for certain eye conditions increases, which is why older Americans need to visit their optometrist more frequently. 

Here’s an overview of the recommended number of annual visits to the optometrist per age group: 

  • Six months to 20 years old – If you have kids, optometrists recommend taking them to the eye doctor every two years. And if they need eyeglasses, they’ll need to undergo an eye exam every six months or so to ensure their prescription hasn’t changed. 

  • Age 20 to 39 – Patients aged 20 to 39 years old should undergo a comprehensive eye exam every two to three years. 

  • Age 40 to 64 – It’s recommended that patients in this age group see their eye doctor for an eye exam at least every two years. This is also the age group wherein the effects of vision conditions become noticeable. One such condition is presbyopia. Your eyes’ lenses start to harden at the age of 35. As the lenses become less flexible, it becomes harder to focus on objects up-close. 

  • Age 65 and above – Older patients should undergo an eye exam at least once every year. 

Risk Factors 

One more thing: You may need to see your doctor more often if you suffered an eye injury or have a family history of certain conditions, as these increase your risk for certain conditions. 

Looking for optometrists near you? 

Joel H McGahen OD offers professional eye care services and prescription eyeglasses. To schedule a consultation, call us at (717) 264-4012 or fill out this form. We serve Chambersburg, PA, as well as the surrounding communities.