How Often Should You Get Your Prescription Checked?

Health & Medical Blog

The frequency with which you should have your eyes examined will depend on a number of factors. These include:

• Age
• Risk factors
• Whether or not you already wear corrective lenses

Frequency of Eye Exams for Children

Children who are of school going age need routine eye exams especially if they already wear some form of corrective lenses. Much of the information availed in schools is presented visually. Therefore, proper eye health is important if the child is to learn comfortably.

Experts recommend that the children should have their first eye exam at six months and then again at three years of age. This should also be repeated when the child is about to start going to school. In case the child has no underlying factors putting them at risk, they should have these exams every two years until they're 18.

In case the child already wears corrective lenses such as contact lenses or eyeglasses, annual exams are advised. However, these exams may still need to be more frequent in case the child possesses other risk factors, including:

• Crossed eyes
• History of eye disease in the family
• High refractive error
• Infection in the mother while pregnant

Eye Examinations for Adults

Once a child turns 18, it's still recommended that they have their eyes checked every two years until the age of 60. Once a person turns 60, these eye tests should be carried out more frequently.

There are also 'at-risk' adults who may be susceptible to certain conditions compared to others. Such adults should have their eyes checked more frequently especially if they already have a prescription. Some of these risk factors including conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes or even working in certain occupations.

Why is an Examination Important if you already have a Prescription?

Some people assume that once you get your prescription, you're good to go for life. Unfortunately, this isn't the case. Sometimes, your eyesight may continue to deteriorate after getting the prescription. This may mean that you'll have to get your prescription changed on a regular basis.

Your eyesight may also be becoming worse as a result of risk factors such as high blood pressure. This can go unnoticed without a regular checkup. It's also possible that your initial prescription may not have had the best results for you. A follow up can help to make this determination and, that way, you can get the correct prescription for your eyes.

Alternately, you can get Lasik surgery to make more permanent corrections to your eyesight. You would then be able to rely on less frequent eye checks and prevent the natural deterioration of your eyesight. Either way, don't rely on an old prescription to get you through.

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3 March 2018