Every one to two years for most adults. Annual if you're over 65, wear contacts, or have diabetes. The hard part isn't knowing the interval. It's remembering to book the appointment when it's time.
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The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association both publish guidelines based on age and risk factors. Here's what they recommend for people with no known eye conditions or risk factors.
The standard one-to-two-year guideline assumes no risk factors. Several conditions push the recommendation to annual or more frequent exams. If any of these apply to you, don't stretch beyond 12 months between visits.
Contacts require annual prescription renewals. They also increase risk of corneal complications that only an exam can catch.
Both conditions damage blood vessels in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, and it starts without symptoms.
A parent or sibling with glaucoma, macular degeneration, or retinal detachment increases your risk significantly. Annual monitoring catches changes early.
Most vision insurance plans cover one comprehensive eye exam per calendar year, including dilation. If you have a medical condition like diabetes or glaucoma, your medical insurance may cover additional exams separately. That's a benefit you've already paid for through premiums. Every year you skip is a covered exam you don't use.
The exam itself typically runs $100 to $250 without insurance. Compare that to the cost of treating advanced glaucoma ($2,500+ per year in medications and monitoring) or cataract surgery ($3,500+ per eye). The cost of skipping always exceeds the cost of showing up.
Everyone knows they should get their eyes checked. The problem is that a year feels far away when you're leaving the office, and then suddenly it's been 26 months and you can't remember the last time you went. An eye exam reminder takes 30 seconds to set up and notifies you before the date, not after it's already passed.
Adults aged 18 to 64 should get a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. Adults over 65 should go annually. If you wear contacts, have diabetes, or have a family history of eye disease, annual exams are recommended regardless of age.
Yes. Eye exams check for more than just vision correction. Conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy develop silently and can only be detected through a comprehensive exam. You can have 20/20 vision and still have a serious eye condition.
Contact lens wearers should get an annual eye exam. Contacts sit directly on the cornea, which increases the risk of corneal infections and oxygen deprivation. Annual exams ensure your prescription is current and your cornea is healthy.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends annual eye exams for adults 65 and older. The risk of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts increases significantly after 60.
Most vision insurance plans cover one comprehensive eye exam per year. Some medical insurance plans also cover eye exams if you have a qualifying condition like diabetes or glaucoma. Check your plan benefits to see what's covered.
Your insurance covers one exam a year. Set a reminder so you actually use it.
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