Eye Exams for Adults
Topic Overview
Use the guidelines below to schedule routine vision checks and eye exams with an ophthalmologist or optometrist .
If you know that you are not at risk for eye disease and you don't have signs of vision problems, have a complete eye exam to check for eye disease and vision problems: footnote 1
- Every 5 to 10 years if you are younger than 40.
- Every 2 to 4 years if you are age 40 to 54. (Starting at age 40, presbyopia is likely to develop.)
- Every 1 to 3 years if you are age 55 to 64.
- Every 1 to 2 years if you are age 65 or older.
Your eye doctor may also suggest that you get exams more often just to check for refractive errors .
If you are at risk for or have signs of eye disease, you may need complete eye exams more often.
Eye diseases and refractive errors include:
For people who have diabetes , experts recommend a yearly eye exam.
For adults who are at risk for glaucoma, see these glaucoma screening recommendations.
After reviewing all of the research, the United States Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF ) concluded that more evidence is needed to find out if the pros outweigh the cons of routine visual acuity screening in older adults. footnote 2
Related Information
References
Citations
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (2010). Comprehensive Adult Medical Eye Evaluation (Preferred Practice Pattern). San Francisco: American Academy of Ophthalmology. Available online: http://one.aao.org/CE/PracticeGuidelines/PPP_Content.aspx?cid=64e9df91-dd10-4317-8142-6a87eee7f517.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2016). Screening for impaired visual acuity in older adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA, 315(9): 908–914. DOI:10.1001/jama.2016.0763. Accessed May 27, 2016.
Credits
Current as of: December 18, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
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Current as of: December 18, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine