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Life is hectic and unpredictable. We all have a lot on our plates, taking care of our families, homes, friends, jobs, and ourselves, if there’s time. Regular check-ups with the doctor and dentist, albeit inconvenient, are built-in to our schedules. But going to the eye doctor is on the back burner for most people. Unfortunately, though, delaying or avoiding visits to the optometrist can be detrimental to your eye health and preserving your vision.
CAO POLICY POSITION – FREQUENCY OF EYE EXAMS
The Canadian Association of Optometrists states that recognizable symptoms do not always accompany vision and ocular health conditions. So, it is critical to follow the guidelines for a minimum examination frequency to avoid any risks to eye function and health.
The CAO’s policy position outlines the minimum frequency of examination for those at low risk:
- Infants and Toddlers (Birth – 24 months): first eye exam should occur between 6 – 9 months
- Preschool Children (2 – 5 years): at least one eye exam between the ages of 2 – 5 years
- School-Age Children (6 – 19 years): at least one eye exam annually between 6 – 19 years
- Adults (20 – 39 years): eye exam every 2 to 3 years
- Adults (40 – 64 years): eye exam every 2 years
- Seniors (65 +): eye exam annually
Many factors will influence the frequency of eye exams, and only your optometrist can adequately determine when you should return for another exam.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE REGULAR EYE EXAMS
Failing to check in on your eye health with regular examinations can have dire consequences if you have an underlying eye disease. Early treatment is essential to preventing these common eye diseases from causing permanent vision loss or blindness:
- Cataracts – a clouding of the lens of your eye, one of the leading causes of vision loss
- Glaucoma – damage to the optic nerve, often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye
- Diabetic retinopathy – causes damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye
- Age-related macular degeneration – the gradual breakdown of light-sensitive tissue in the eye due to ageing
You should have your eyes checked more often if you:
- Wear glasses or contacts
- Have a family history of eye disease
- Take medications that increase your risk of eye side effects
- Have an underlying condition that puts you at risk of eye disease, like diabetes
Eye exams also give your eye doctor a chance to help you correct or adapt to vision changes and provide you with tips on caring for your eyes.
And if you are thinking about laser vision correction, an eye examination is required to determine your eligibility. Laser vision correction might even be able to treat your eye condition if you have one.
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