Eye exams are an effective step to help promote good eye health. Regular check-ups are also a preventative measure, helping to detect any eye problems or irregularities ahead of time. Early detection is key with any eye problems and kickstarts the treatment process quicker. Scheduling a regular exam is an opportunity for your eye professionals to adapt and correct your vision for optimal function. People with diabetes, previous eye trauma, previous eye surgery or a family history of
glaucoma, may need an
eye exam more frequently, so be sure to consult your
eye doctor.
Eye Exams
Every
eye doctor is different and has a different level of expertise. Every clinic provides a different type of service, but the visit process will remain relatively similar. There are a variety of tests that will performed on you to test your functionality including dilating your eye, testing your near and far-sighted visions, and more. A comprehensive exam includes:
- A detailed workup of your family history
- Evaluation of your near and far distance vision
- Checking for astigmatism, glaucoma and presbyopia
- Seeing how your eyes work together as a team
- Testing if you need contacts or lenses to aid your vision
Eye Doctors
An important part of an
eye exam is knowing what kind of eye professional you want to see to ensure you are receiving proper care. Here are the types of eye doctors that can perform an
eye exam:
Ophthalmologist: A doctor who can give you a complete
eye exam, prescribe lenses, diagnose and treat any eye diseases, and if necessary perform surgery. An ophthalmologist is the only certified
eye doctor.
Optometrists: An optometrist can perform an
eye exam, prescribe corrective lenses, diagnose and treat eye diseases.
Opticians: Professionals who will fit and fill eye prescriptions for
glasses, contacts or assist with other treatments.
Eye Exam Costs
As with any visit to the doctor’s office, the cost of the exam can vary based on what is done. If you are purchasing a new pair of
glasses or ordering contacts, expect to have your exam on the pricier side. However, routine exams are less expensive and are often covered with eye insurance based on your provider. Influential pricing factors include:
- Whether the exam is performed by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist
- The tests included in the exam
- Whether the exam includes a contact lens fitting or other contact lens-related services
Frequency of Exams
There are a variety of factors that contribute to how frequently you need an
eye exam including age, health, and risk of developing eye issues.
Age
It depends on the health of your eyes, but typically the younger you are, the less you need your eyes examined. Optimum eye function will naturally decrease with age so it is important to up the frequency of your eye exams as you get older.
Children under the age of 3: The pediatrician is typically the go-to for any exams. The pediatrician will make sure your child’s eyes are developing and working properly. As your child gets older you will want to make sure they have more comprehensive eye exams.
Young children and adolescents: Vision checks should begin around the first grade if no pressing eye health issues are present and then checkups should be every one to two years after that.
Adults: Anyone between 20 and 30 with no existing issues should have eye exams at least every 3 to 5 years and then increase frequency to every 2 years in your 30’s and 40’s. After this eye exams should be every 1-2 years depending on your health.
Health
The frequency of your eye exams should also be based on your eye health. For example, if you wear
glasses or contacts your exams should be more frequent to ensure your prescriptions are up to date and no damage is being done to your eyes. If you notice any blurred vision, migraines or double vision it is important to schedule a checkup with an
eye doctor. Living a healthy lifestyle is a great way to promote eye health and reduce your susceptibility to eye disease. If you have diabetes,
glaucoma, or a family history that predisposes you to any eye disease it is important to be proactive with your checkups and get the right advice.
The frequency of an
eye doctor visit is different for everyone based on your age, health, and any developing eye issues. Make sure you tailor your visits to your needs and talk with your
eye doctor about what is right for you. Starting eye exams for children at an early age can be a great way to get ahead of any eye diseases and enable proper eye development. Scheduling appointments annually is important for middle aged adults, especially if you require prescriptions or treatment.
Finding the
eye doctor that is right for you is important. We are proud to be the only optical shop staffed with full-time
Ophthalmologists in town. At Medical Arts Eye Clinic we work to provide our patients with the best products and services. Call (334) 821-3838 to schedule your regular
eye exam today!
