Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Care
How often should I get my eyes checked?
In general, eye exams are recommended annually, and more frequently for those with certain conditions or who have a family history of eye problems. If your eyes are healthy and vision is good, an adult should have a complete baseline exam by an ophthalmologist once in their 20s and twice in their 30s. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults get a complete eye exam at the age of 40, when early signs of disease or changes in vision may appear. Early detection of eye problems is important as early treatment can help preserve your vision.
For children, the American Optometric Association recommends an exam around 6 months of age, again at age 3, and before starting school (between ages 5-6).
Annual visits are recommended for anyone at any age who wears contact lenses, if you have high blood pressure, or are diagnosed with diabetes. It’s also important to follow the schedule provided by your eye care provider after your exam. You’ll find out how often it’s recommended to be checked because your risk of eye disease increases as you.
What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist?
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs) who can perform eye surgery. Optometrists (ODs) diagnose and treat eye conditions and can prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.
What can I do to protect my eyes?
Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB radiation, don’t smoke, maintain a healthy diet, and get regular eye exams. If you spend a lot of time at a computer, you may need a different prescription for computer glasses. While computer monitors don’t emit harmful UV radiation, computer glasses are designed to optimize vision for the specific distance of a computer screen, which is typically different from the distance for reading or general use.
To reduce eye strain, abide by the 20-20-20 rule – for every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
What are some signs of eye problems?
Any of these symptoms could indicate an eye problem:
- blurry vision
- sensitivity to light
- eye pain
- floaters – protein fibers that can clump together and appear as spots, threads, or squiggly lines in your vision
Eye diseases include age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. These are some of the leading causes of vision loss. If you experience any of the symptoms, make an appointment to see your eye care provider and check with your primary care provider.
What tests will I undergo during an eye exam?
An eye exam is a relatively simple and comfortable procedure and shouldn’t take more than 45 to 90 minutes. Your eye check will include:
- Your medical history
- Visual acuity tested with an eye chart (Visual acuity can also be tested at schools, and most states require testing before issuing a driver’s license.)
- Pupils, side vision, eye movement, retina, and optic nerve, the front part of your eye
- Your prescription for corrective lenses
- Eye pressure (The puff of air test measures the fluid pressure in your eyes, which can be an indicator of glaucoma.)
What does aging do to my eyes?
For parents, it’s important to schedule recommended screenings and to learn the signs of developmental eye problems to watch for in your young children and teenagers.
Middle age is a time when symptoms of many eye diseases may begin to emerge, and when other diseases can develop without any symptoms at all. It is crucial for adults with no symptoms of or no risk factors for eye disease to get a baseline eye examination at 40, so treatment can start early to save vision.
For adults over 65, normal aging of the eye does not lead to vision loss. Vision loss is the result of eye diseases, injuries, or both. If you experience vision problems, it is important to see your ophthalmologist regularly.
What can a provider see when looking in my eyes?
The eye is the only place in the body where, without surgery, a doctor can have a clear view of blood vessels, nerves, and connecting tissue. The eyes are an important part of our larger nervous system, so abnormalities seen in an eye may signal changes in other parts of the body. Potential stroke is one of those conditions, along with diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancers.
What is 20/20 vision?
An eye chart measures the clearness or sharpness of your vision. The top 20 in 20/20 represents the distance in feet from the eye chart. The bottom number is the distance at which a person with normal eyesight can read the same line on the chart.
For example, if you have 20/30 vision, it means your vision is worse than average. Twenty feet away, you can read letters that most people can see from 30 feet. Some people can have 20/15 vision, which is sharper than average. The goal with glasses or contact lenses is to bring a person’s vision to 20/20.
In most states, you need 20/40 vision or better for an unrestricted driver’s license. People are considered “legally blind” if their vision with glasses or contacts is 20/200 or worse.
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