Taking care of your eyes is essential for maintaining good vision and overall health. Regular eye exams are a key part of this care, but do you know when you should have an eye exam or what a comprehensive exam includes? Understanding the basics of eye exams can help ensure that you and your family maintain healthy vision for life.
When Should You Have an Eye Exam?
Childhood Vision Screening
Children’s eyes are constantly developing from birth through their teenage years. To ensure proper vision development, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus recommend specific guidelines for childhood eye screenings. These screenings help detect issues early, ensuring timely treatment if necessary.
Baseline Eye Exams for Adults
For adults with healthy eyes and good vision, it’s recommended to have a complete eye exam once in your 20s and twice in your 30s. However, there are exceptions:
- If you experience any eye pain, infection, or injury.
- If you notice sudden changes like floaters, flashes of light, or patterns of light.
- If you wear contact lenses, you should see your eye specialist annually.
- If you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease, consult with your ophthalmologist about how often your eyes should be examined.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests that adults get a comprehensive eye exam at age 40. This is when early signs of eye disease or vision changes might begin to appear. Early detection is key to preserving your vision.
Eye Exams for Seniors
For those aged 65 or older, it’s important to have your eyes checked every year or two. Your ophthalmologist will monitor for age-related eye diseases such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
What Does a Comprehensive Eye Exam Include?
A complete eye exam is straightforward and typically takes between 45 to 90 minutes. It covers several key areas to ensure your eyes are healthy:
- Medical History
Your doctor will start by asking about your vision, general health, family medical history, medications, and whether you wear corrective lenses. - Visual Acuity
This is the part where you read an eye chart to determine how well you can see at different distances. It helps identify whether you have 20/20 vision or need corrective lenses. - Corrective Lenses Prescription
Using a device called a phoroptor, your doctor will help determine the best prescription for your eyeglasses or contact lenses. - Pupil Response
Your ophthalmologist will check how your pupils respond to light. Abnormal responses may indicate an underlying issue. - Side Vision
A test for peripheral vision can help detect conditions like glaucoma, which can cause vision loss without early symptoms. - Eye Movement
Ocular motility tests ensure your eyes are aligned and that your eye muscles are functioning properly. - Eye Pressure
Tonometry measures the pressure inside your eye (intraocular pressure). Elevated pressure is a sign of glaucoma. - Front of the Eye Examination
Using a slit-lamp microscope, your ophthalmologist will examine the front part of your eye, including the eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens, checking for cataracts or other issues. - Retina and Optic Nerve Examination
Dilating eye drops are used to widen your pupils, allowing the doctor to examine your retina and optic nerve for any signs of damage from disease.
Additional Tests During Eye Exams
In some cases, your ophthalmologist may recommend additional tests such as:
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- Fundus Photography
- Fluorescein Angiography (FA)
- Topography (scanning the cornea)
- Automated Visual Field Testing
These tests provide detailed insights into the health of your eyes, helping to detect and diagnose diseases early.
