Why Annual Eye Exams Matter

You may think that just because you don’t wear glasses or contacts, you don’t have to see the eye doctor every year. Visiting the eye doctor isn’t just about vision correction; they are an essential part of helping to maintain you and your family’s overall wellness.  

Why Are Eye Exams Important? 

Even if you have 20/20 vision, it’s essential to see your VSP^® network eye doctor annually for an eye exam. During your exam, your eye doctor can detect signs or symptoms of more than 270 health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. 

Early detection of eye diseases can be crucial to maintaining healthy vision. During your exam your eye doctor can spot early signs of eye diseases like: 

• Cataracts 
• Diabetic retinopathy 
• Glaucoma 
• Macular degeneration 

Have Vision Correction Needs? 

Vision correction is what most people think of when they make an appointment with their eye doctor. During an exam, your eye doctor will test your vision in addition to checking for early signs of eye diseases.  

Did you know that there are different types of vision issues? Some of the most common ones are: 

• Myopia (nearsightedness) 
• Hyperopia (farsightedness) 
• Presbyopia 
• Astigmatism 

These vision issues can usually be corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses. Your eye doctor can advise on which method works best for you.

How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam? 

We’ve all got busy lives and often have so much going on day to day, but it’s important to schedule regular eye exams! How frequently you should visit the eye doctor can vary depending on your age and personal health, but here’s a general guideline by age recommended by optometrists. 

Young children go through a lot of changes in their early years. Infants should get a vision assessment as part of their pediatric appointments. If the pediatrician has any concerns, they’ll refer them to an eye doctor. Children should see an eye doctor at least once before first grade and then visit annually thereafter.  

Young adults tend to have good vision, but an annual eye exam is still very important. The eye doctor will look for early signs of eye disease and ask about your lifestyle (job, hobbies, etc.) to help keep your eyes healthy and protect them.  

As we enter middle age and beyond, it’s essential to continue yearly visits to your eye doctor, since many people begin to notice changes in their vision, such as difficulty seeing up close (presbyopia) or reading in dim light or on screens. These exams not only help identify and address vision changes, but also enable your eye doctor to monitor for age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinal detachment. Because many of these conditions lack early symptoms, regular eye exams can catch them early and help preserve your vision. 

Schedule an Eye Exam 

Now you’re armed with more knowledge about the eye doctor, and you’re ready to schedule an exam. To take the next step, find a VSP network doctor near you. 

Information received through VSP Vision Care channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.