7 Signs Telling You It's Time to Schedule Your Next Eye Exam

One eye exam every year should be all you need to stay on top of your eye health, but some people may need to schedule more than one exam per year. 

Vision can change abruptly for some people over time, especially for people over 50.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends any adults that are not experiencing eye issues to get their exams taken at the following stages:

Between the ages of 20 and 29 years of age, one time.

Between the the ages of 30 and 39 years of age, two times.

Regardless of how many times you have had your eyes examined in the past, one exam is recommended at age 40.

Between the ages of 40 and 65, there is no set number other than at a frequency recommended by your doctor.

After age 65, eye examinations should be scheduled every one to two years.

Adults that have eye problems are recommended to have yearly exams. This can include people who are required to wear contact lenses, have had eye injuries, a personal history or genetic history of having eye disease and more.

Listed below are 7 of the top signs you should consider as indicators it's time to schedule your next eye exam:

1. Your eyes have become red, itchy or you are beginning to see spots, floaters or flashes of light.

2. If you have a family history of glaucoma, you might require exams more often as you move up to your 50's and beyond.

3. If you have difficulty driving at night or seeing street signs after sunset.

4. If you get vertigo, dizziness or have motion sickness when following a moving target.

5. If you experience eye strain, headaches and/or blurred vision after spending extended amounts of time in front of a computer, tablet or phone screen.

6. You've been holding the newspaper or books further away from you than usual, including quinting or closing your eyes.

7. You can't remember when you had your last eye exam. Past the age of 65, it may be necessary to have one every year.

If you're experiencing any one of these 7 signs, then it's better not to wait. An eye examination actually benefits more than just your eyes, as a wide variety of conditions can be detected with a thorough examination.

SUMMARY: Our eyesight often changes slowly as we age over many decades. Regular eye examinations are important, even if you may not be having any issues with your vision at the current time.

If it's been a while since you last had an exam, please consider speaking with your doctor about scheduling an appointment.