Maintaining eye health helps preserve vision. To keep your eyesight for years, you need to eat well. However, you should contact specialists to test your eyes. Early detection of any potential issue will save your eyes from further complications. But, how often should you screen your eyes? Eye tests should be conducted every 1 or 2 years. But, the frequency of eye tests depends on particular factors.
Eye exam frequency for people of different ages
The natural ageing process negatively affects vision. As children’s eyes continue developing, they need checkups more frequently too.
During early childhood, if your baby has vision problems, you should schedule an eye test regularly. When your infants have grown into teens, the specialist will try to identify eye issues through traditional vision tests. Adults whose age are above 18 years need less frequent eye exams. But, if they have any eye complications, more tests are recommended.
People in the age group of 40-64 years need to undergo eye tests after every 2 years.
Genetic risks and family history
If your family history shows vision issues, your kids have a risk of experiencing the same problems. If parents have myopia, their children have a chance of suffering from this condition. Other hereditary eye issues are:
⦁ Astigmatism – The cornea has an imperfect curvature.
⦁ Farsightedness – Problem in focusing on nearby objects
⦁ Presbyopia – Farsightedness because of ageing
⦁ Lazy eye – Reduced vision caused by irregular visual development
If your family history shows these eye problems, frequent eye checkups are essential.
Lifestyle factors
Smoking can degrade eye health and cause cataracts and macular degeneration. The main lifestyle factors are:
⦁ Direct sun contact
⦁ Lack of physical exercise
⦁ Improper diet
⦁ Alcohol consumption
Bad lifestyle can also lead to diabetic retinopathy and higher blood pressure. Occupational exposures also cause long-term eye problems. Your eye specialist will ask you to wear corrective lenses and take other protective measures.
Various types of eye tests:
⦁ A dilated eye test is intended to treat eye issues like glaucoma and AMD.
⦁ An eye alignment test enables you to check eye movements.
⦁ Depth perception test allows you to see images through 3-dimensional glasses.
⦁ During the visual acuity test, you have to go through letters on a chart to check your vision’s clarity.
⦁ Eye specialists recommend refraction testing that involves using a computerised refractor to check the lens prescription.
When do you need an eye test?
Although regular eye care is important, some problems increase the need for tests without a delay. Emergency vision screening is essential if you have:
⦁ Blurred vision
⦁ Loss of vision
⦁ Continuous eye strain
⦁ Painful eyes
⦁ Double vision
⦁ Presence of external objects
⦁ Pink eyes
⦁ Eye infection and discharge
Book an eye test at Microprism Vision and get an accurate report today. The professional will recommend the right type of test depending on your ocular concerns. The test allows the expert to diagnose your eye problems easily. So, care for your eyes with regular checkups.
