How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?

The short answer: most healthy adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, while children, adults over 60, and anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease should be seen every year. If it has been longer than that — and for many of us it quietly has — it is time to come in.

The quick guide by age

Children should have their eyes checked in infancy, again around age three, and before starting school, then regularly through their school years. Adults from 18 to 39 generally do well with an exam every one to two years. From 40 to 60, when reading glasses and early disease tend to arrive uninvited, every one to two years is wise. After 60, an annual exam is the safest bet.

These are general guidelines. Dr. Jason Siegmund will recommend a schedule based on your eyes, your health, and your family history — not a one-size-fits-all calendar.

“But I can see fine”

This is the most common thing we hear, and we understand it. The catch is that your eyes are remarkably good at hiding problems from you — they are overachievers like that. Conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic changes, and macular degeneration can develop for years with no pain and no blur until damage is already done. A comprehensive exam is how we catch those silent issues early, while they are still easy to manage.

An eye exam is also a surprisingly good window into your overall health. We can spot signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, and other conditions in the back of the eye — sometimes before anyone else does.

When to come in sooner

Do not wait for your scheduled visit if you notice sudden blurry vision, new floaters or flashes of light, eye pain, double vision, or any sudden change in how you see. Those deserve a prompt call to our Myrtle Beach office at (843) 796-1155.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a vision screening the same as a comprehensive eye exam?

No. A screening (like the one at the DMV or school) only checks how clearly you see. A comprehensive exam evaluates the health of your entire eye, inside and out, which is where the important early findings hide.

I wear contacts — do I need exams more often?

Yes. Contact lens wearers should be seen yearly so we can check the health of your cornea and keep your prescription and lens fit current and comfortable.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jason Siegmund, OD, a board-certified optometric physician at Siegmund Eye Care in Myrtle Beach.