How often should I have an eye examination?
It is important that you take care of your eyesight. Therefore, remember to have regular eye exams to prevent any vision problems from developing and worsening.
Routine eye exams go far beyond scanning for vision problems and diseases. Vision checks can also be used to detect general health issues and spot serious problems before they occur. That's why it's important to have regular eye exams and as recommended by your doctor. But how often do you need to do it? Read on to learn more about eye exams and how often you should have your eyes checked for optimal vision health.
Why you need an eye exam
An eye exam can detect any vision problems when they are still treatable. It can also detect other serious conditions you may have, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cancer. An ophthalmologist can also help you adjust to any vision changes and provide information on how to take better care of your eyes.
What is the difference between a comprehensive eye exam and a routine eye exam?
While both types of eye exams are necessary for your vision health, there is a big difference between a comprehensive eye exam and a routine eye exam. Routine eye exams are appointments you make when you need to get a new prescription for glasses.
Comprehensive eye exams are usually done annually, during which your eye doctor checks both your vision and the overall health of your eyes. This is important because the eye is a small, complex, and important part of the body. Not only do our eyes help us see, but they can also show signs of other eye conditions and health issues.
How often should I see an ophthalmologist and have my eyes checked?
To keep your eyes healthy, follow these tips:
For Children:
- WHO recommends that children have their vision checked before they turn one year old.
- Children should have another eye test at least once between the ages of 3 and 5.
- After they go to school, have their vision checked once a year until they graduate from high school.
For Adults:
- In their 20s and 30s: every five to 10 years
- From 40 to 54 years old: every two to four years.
- Ages 55 to 64: every one to three years.
- Ages 65 and older: every one to two years
You can undergo quality eye examinations and general eye diagnostics in top clinics in Switzerland. Ophthalmology in Switzerland has such advantages as advanced treatment technologies, the most modern equipment on the medical services market and of course highly qualified teams of doctors and professors of medicine.
Even if you have had an eye examination at the recommended time, be sure to make a new appointment if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Dry, itchy or red eyes
- Seeing spots, flies or flashes of light
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain
- Seeing circles or halos
- Tensing or squinting to focus
- Other changes in your vision
If pathologies and diseases are detected, you can undergo quality treatment in Switzerland. It should be noted that doctors with high titles and known in the whole world ophthalmology work here.
WHAT ELSE DOES AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST PAY ATTENTION TO?
Eye health encompasses much more than vision, and the health of the entire body can be determined through a routine eye exam. Through an eye exam, a doctor can detect certain diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and some cancer.
An ophthalmologist will check how your entire visual system is functioning, from the visual cortex to the eyeball.
He or she will also check to see if you have life-threatening eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. All of these diseases can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness if left untreated.
For this reason, regular eye exams are very important, even if you are not experiencing any vision problems. You should have an eye examination at least once a year, even if you have excellent vision.