When your vision is 20/20, it's easy to think that routine eye exams are not needed. After all, if you can see clearly, why check your eyes? The “why” to getting an eye exam is this: regular eye exams are about much more than just checking your ability to see.
First eye exams are essential for detecting potential eye health problems early. Eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration often develop without any noticeable symptoms, and left untreated, they can lead to vision loss or even blindness. This is why it's important to schedule a full-service dilated eye exam once a year, even if your vision is clear.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why annual eye check-ups are crucial, how often you should get one, what to expect during an eye exam—including dilation—and how having a good vision insurance plan can help.
What are Common Misconceptions About Eye Exams?
One of the most common misconceptions about eye exams is that they are only necessary for people who need corrective lenses. While it’s true that individuals with poor eyesight might have more frequent exams to update their prescriptions, eye exams go beyond just determining whether you need glasses.
Your eye doctor doesn’t just measure how well you see. They also check for signs of various eye diseases and overall eye health. Many serious conditions can develop with little to no early symptoms, which is why an eye exam can be a lifesaver. Catching these health or vision issues early can lead to more effective treatments and, in some cases, prevent permanent vision loss.
What are Common Eye Problems and Diseases That Can Affect Anyone?
Several eye diseases can affect anyone, regardless of whether they have perfect vision. Some of the more common eye problems and diseases include:
1) Diabetic Retinopathy — Even if you have 20/20 vision now, health conditions like diabetes can have a profound effect on your eyes. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition where high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina. If diabetic retinopathy is left untreated, it can lead to blindness. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy through routine eye exams can prevent or slow its progression, often before any visual symptoms occur.
2) Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) — AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and affects the central part of the retina, known as the macula. This eye condition can make it difficult to read, recognize faces, and perform other tasks that require sharp central vision. Like many eye diseases, AMD often progresses without early warning signs, so routine eye exams can catch it in its early stages. With early treatment, the progression of AMD can be slowed, reducing the risk of severe vision loss.
3) Cataracts — Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye, and they tend to develop as we age. Over time, cataracts can cause blurry vision, make colors look less vibrant, and lead to glare or halos around lights. While cataracts are most common in older adults, they can develop at any age. Early detection is key because cataracts are often treatable with surgery. However, if left untreated, cataracts can eventually lead to significant vision impairment.
4) Glaucoma — Glaucoma is an eye condition where pressure builds up inside the eye, damaging the optic nerve. This damage to the optic nerves can lead to permanent vision loss and, in severe cases, blindness. The dangerous part about glaucoma is that it often develops without any noticeable symptoms until the damage has already been done. Regular eye exams can detect changes in your eye pressure and optic nerve, allowing your eye doctor to intervene early with treatment to prevent vision loss.
How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
The frequency of eye exams depends on your age, general health, and risk factors for eye diseases. Here's a general guideline of when you should get an eye exam:
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Children (Ages 1-17): Infants should get their baseline exam at 6 to 12 months, and at least one eye exam between the ages of 3 and 5. Before a child begins 1st grade they should have an annual eye exam and continue to have regular eye exams through their adolescent years to help ensure they can do their best in school and other activities.
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Adults (Ages 18–39): If you have no vision problems and are in good health, it’s still recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to get an eye exam every year. If you wear contacts, you should see your eye specialist annually as well. Additionally, if you have a family history of eye diseases or other risk factors, talk with your optometrist or ophthalmologist to see if you need more frequent exams.
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Adults (Ages 40–64): Eye health tends to decline with age, even if you don’t notice it immediately. At age 40, you should have a full-service eye exam, and then follow the suggested exam schedule from your eye doctor as the risk of eye conditions like presbyopia, glaucoma, and cataracts increases.
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Senior Adults (Ages 65 and older): Seniors should have an eye exam every year or two to monitor age-related conditions like macular degeneration and cataracts.
Your eye doctor may recommend more frequent exams if you have certain risk factors such as diabetes, a family history of eye diseases, or previous eye injuries.
What Does Eye Dilation Do and Why Is It Important?
One part of a full-service eye exam that brings up questions from patients is dilation. Dilation involves using special eye drops to widen (dilate) your pupils, allowing the doctor to get a better look at the back of your eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels.
While dilation can make your eyes more sensitive to light and cause blurry vision for a few hours, it plays a critical role in detecting eye diseases that might otherwise go unnoticed. Without dilation, it’s difficult for the doctor to thoroughly examine the internal structures of your eye. This step is particularly important for detecting conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
In some cases, newer technologies like retinal imaging may be used instead of dilation. However, dilation is still the most comprehensive way to examine the back of the eye and remains the gold standard in many practices.
What Happens During an Annual Eye Exam?
If you’re unfamiliar with what to expect during an eye exam, here’s a general outline:
1) Visual Acuity Screening: This is where you read letters off an eye chart to measure how well you can see at different distances.
2) Refraction Test: This helps the eye doctor determine if you need glasses or a change in your prescription by testing how light is bent as it passes through your eye.
3) Eye Movement and Coordination: The doctor checks how well your eyes move and work together.
4) Slit-Lamp Exam: This allows the doctor to examine the structures at the front of your eye, including your cornea, iris, and lens, for any abnormalities.
5) Glaucoma Test: Often known as the “puff of air” test, this checks for increased pressure in your eye, which could be a sign of glaucoma.
Dilation and Retinal Examination: This part of the exam allows the doctor to check for any issues at the back of your eye, including the retina and optic nerve.
Conclusion: Don’t Skip Your Eye Exams!
Even if you’re one of the lucky people with 20/20 vision, regular eye exams are a must. They allow eye care professionals to detect eye diseases early when treatment is most effective. By staying proactive about your eye health, you’re taking important steps to preserve your vision and prevent future health and eye complications.
With a vision insurance plan that fits your needs, it can be simpler to maintain your eye health. Choosing the right eye insurance plan and eye care professional can significantly impact your vision health and overall well-being. VSP® Individual Vision Plans offer a large nationwide network of providers and benefits that help you save money.
Choosing a vision plan takes just a moment with the VSP Individual Vision Plan Selector.
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear—make routine eye exams a priority!
Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans’ social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Reviewed by Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon:
Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon is Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs at VSP Vison Care where she helps drive strategic initiatives aimed at raising awareness about vision, eye health and its connection to overall wellness, while providing insight into medical advancements that seek to benefit patient care. She also provides oversight of VSP programs to address gaps in care for some of the most high-risk populations, including those living with diabetes.
With more than two decades of experience as a Doctor of Optometry, Dr. Sheety-Pilon has dedicated much of her time to clinical research across numerous ophthalmic subspecialties and has an established history of helping patients through novel therapeutic agents and clinical adoption of transformative technology in the areas of digital health, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
Prior to joining VSP Vision in 2019, Dr. Sheety-Pilon served as Adjunct Clinical Professor at Illinois College of Optometry, held various executive positions within the eye health industry, and has extensive experience managing and practicing within an ophthalmology and optometry practice.
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