Do I Need to Have an Eye Exam Every Year?

Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Uncategorized on December 3, 2024

If you have never needed glasses or contacts, you may not think about seeing your eye doctor regularly. However, routine eye exams are essential to taking care of your overall health and vision, whether you use visual aids or not.

Especially as you age, conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration could threaten your sight. Early detection by your ophthalmologist is key to preventing vision loss and keeping your eyes as healthy as possible.

But how often should you have an eye exam? Keep reading to learn more about whether you need to have an eye exam every year.

Why are Eye Exams So Important?

Many eye conditions that have the potential to damage your vision do not present with obvious symptoms at first. During an eye exam at EyeHealth Northwest, your eye doctor can identify early signs of conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy.

Early detection of these conditions allows you to begin treatment right away, which can reduce the risk of vision loss in the future. The screening tests performed during a comprehensive eye exam are noninvasive and painless, and may include:

  • Eye pressure testing
  • Retinal examination to view the back of your eye
  • Using a microscope to examine the front of your eye

If you have refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism that are causing blurry, unfocused vision, your eye doctor can also assess your prescription using a device called a phoropter. If you need glasses or contacts, EyeHealth Northwest collaborates with Bridge City Spex to combine optical craft with ophthalmic experience to create fantastic frames and lenses to suit your vision and style.

How Often Do I Need Eye Exams?

If you wear glasses or contacts, you probably see your eye doctor regularly to get your vision checked. This allows your eye doctor to update or renew your prescription so you can be sure your vision is clear.

However, even if you don’t wear glasses, you should still attend eye exams. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has established general guidelines for how often adults should have their eyes examined.

They recommend that adults have at least one comprehensive eye exam in their 20s and two additional exams in their 30s. You should schedule another comprehensive eye exam when you turn 40, as your risk of developing age-related eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration starts to increase.

At age 40, many people also notice vision changes due to presbyopia or age-related farsightedness. Adults 65 or older should see their eye doctor at least once per year, regardless of whether they are experiencing vision changes.

Who Needs More Frequent Eye Exams?

You may need to see an eye doctor several times yearly if you have certain medical or eye conditions. Progressive eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration may require regular monitoring.

If you have diabetes, you may also need to see your eye doctor more frequently so you can be screened for diabetic retinopathy. Increased blood sugar can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to vision loss. 

Your eye doctor at EyeHealth Northwest can give you specific instructions on how often you need to attend eye exams based on any preexisting medical conditions you may have, whether you have a family history of eye conditions and whether you are at risk for certain eye conditions.

Are you ready to make your eye health a priority? Schedule a comprehensive eye exam at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today!


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Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Westside Surgery Center
13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more
EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center
12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more

Our Locations

Aloha
18345 SW Alexander St,
Suite A
Aloha, OR 97003
(503) 642-2505 see more
Glisan
6701 NE Glisan Street
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 255-2291 see more
Gresham
24601 SE Stark St.
Troutdale, OR 97060
(503) 255-2291 see more
Hillsboro
6111 NE Cornell Rd
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 846-9400 see more
Lake Oswego
9 Monroe Parkway, Suite 160
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503) 636-2551 see more
Milwaukie
11086 SE Oak St
Milwaukie, OR 97222
(503) 656-4221 see more
Mt. Tabor
5935 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97206
503 777-5546 see more
Newberg
2318 Portland Rd, Suite 300
Newberg, OR 97132
(503) 538-1341 see more
Northwest Portland
1955 NW Northrup St
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2020 see more
Oregon City
1306 Division St
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 656-4221 see more
Peterkort
9555 SW Barnes Rd.
#100 (1rst floor)
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 227-2020 see more
Providence Portland
5050 NE Hoyt St., Suite 445
Portland, OR 97213
(503) 231-0166 see more
Providence St. Vincent
9135 SW Barnes Rd., Suite 961
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-0848 see more
Southeast Portland
10819 SE Stark St,
Portland, OR 97216
(503) 255-2291 see more
Sunnyside
12050 SE Stevens Rd, Suite 100
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(503) 783-3300 see more
Tigard
15298 SW Royalty Parkway
Tigard OR 97224
(503) 227-2020 see more
Wilsonville
29250 SW Town Center Loop W
Wilsonville, OR 97070
(503) 582-0000 see more
Surgery Centers

Westside Surgery Center

13240 SW Pacific Hwy
Portland, OR 97223
(503) 639-6571 see more

EyeHealth Eastside Surgery and Laser Center

12050 SE Stevens Rd.
Happy Valley, OR 97086
(971) 206-6100 see more