Life gets busy and sometimes we forgot about appointments, it happens. So, if you are sitting there trying to remember when the last time you had your eyes checked – you aren’t alone. Your health is important, and it is crucial to take care of your eyes. So, when do you know it’s time to get your eyes checked?

There are several reasons why you should schedule an appointment to get your eyes examined. The first reason being the amount of time since your last appointment. Depending on your age and eye history the number of times you need to see the eye doctor will vary. Ideally, for someone under the age of 40, we suggest that you get at least one eye exam every 1-2 years if you have no previous eye complications. It is also suggested that people under the age of 50 who have eye health history such as infections, diabetes, glasses/contacts, surgery etc. to get their eyes checked at least once every year if not more frequently.

If you have any health conditions that affect your vision such as diabetes, family history, smoking, etc.  it is important to attend eye exams in order to make sure that you are not at risk at any complications. By doing this you can stay on top of your eye health and make sure you are getting the proper care you need. If you are over the age of 50 and have a history of eye health problems it may be important for you to visit the eye doctor more than once a year.

Another reason why you may need to get an eye exam is if you are experiencing unusual symptoms or signs. Some of these symptoms could include:

  • Itchy, Dry Eyes
  • Seeing Spots, Floaters, or flashes of light
  • If you are experiencing eye strain, headaches from prolonged computer/device use
  • You think your prescription may have changed (blurry vision, trouble reading/seeing)
  • Possible Infection

Any of these symptoms are important to be looked at to rule out any possible infections. Your eyes serve an important purpose to your overall well-being so it is vital to stay on top of your eye health and schedule an appointment today!