Eye exams are important — not just for your vision, but also for your overall health
This August, observe National Eye Exam Month by making an appointment with a licensed optometrist for a comprehensive eye examination. Optometrists can detect eye abnormalities, correct vision problems, monitor your vision health, and identify potential issues that could affect your overall health.
An eye exam can help identify common vision problems like farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, or other serious issues such as glaucoma, and determine potential options for addressing the issue. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends patients of all ages with certain risk factors to have an eye exam done more frequently. These risks factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history of eye disease, previous eye injuries, wearing glasses or contact lenses, and potential work-related conditions that could be affecting a person’s vision.
According to the AOA, recommended eye examination frequency for children include:
| Age | Low Risk | At-risk |
| Birth-2 | At 6 month and 1 year of age | At 6 month and 1 year of age or as recommended |
| 3-5 | At least once between 3-5 | At least once between 3-5 or as recommended |
| 6-17 | Before 1st grade and annually thereafter | Before 1st grade and annually or as recommended |
According to the AOA, recommended eye examination frequency for adults include:
| Age | Low risk | At-risk |
| 18-39 | At least every two years | At least annually or as recommended |
| 40-64 | At least every two years | At least annually or as recommended |
| 65 and older | Annually | At least annually or as recommended |
Only a licensed optometrist with the California State Board of Optometry can conduct a comprehensive eye examination. To find a licensed healthcare provider, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs’ license search tool at search.dca.gov. It’s always a good habit to check the license or registration status before making an appointment.
