You should generally get your eyes checked every one to two years , but the ideal schedule depends on your age, symptoms, and risk factors like diabetes, family history of eye disease, or wearing glasses/contacts. Many eye specialists now favor more personalized timelines, with yearly exams if you have any risk factors or are over about 60–65.

Why regular eye exams matter

  • Eye exams can detect silent conditions like glaucoma, retinal problems, and early macular degeneration before you notice any change in vision.
  • They can also reveal general health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure, sometimes before other symptoms appear.
  • Even if you “see fine,” a prescription tweak or dry eye treatment can significantly improve comfort and daily functioning.

How often by age (general guide)

These are common, simplified recommendations for healthy people with no symptoms or known eye disease :

  • Children and teens (up to 18)
    • At least once before starting school, then about every 1–2 years , or yearly if advised by a pediatric eye doctor.
* School screenings are helpful but do **not** replace a full eye exam.
  • Adults 18–39
    • About every 1–2 years if vision seems fine and you have no risk factors.
* Some medical groups allow up to every 5 years for very low‑risk adults, but many optometrists still prefer the 1–2 year schedule to catch early changes.
  • Adults 40–64
    • Aim for every 1–2 years , as risks for glaucoma, cataracts, and retina issues start climbing in the 40s and 50s.
* If you notice near-vision problems (reading small print), that is another good moment to get checked.
  • Age 65+
    • Plan for yearly eye exams.
* Cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma are much more common in this group, and early treatment makes a major difference.

When you should go more often

You may need annual or more frequent exams if any of these apply:

  • You wear glasses or contact lenses (especially contacts, which require closer monitoring).
  • You have diabetes, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis , or other systemic conditions that affect the eyes.
  • You have a family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or serious eye disease.
  • You are African American or Hispanic , as glaucoma risk is higher and often starts earlier.
  • You’ve had eye surgery (including LASIK/PRK/SMILE) — you still need regular checkups, typically every 1–2 years.
  • You notice symptoms like:
    • Blurry or double vision
    • Flashes, floaters, or a “curtain” in your vision
    • Eye pain, redness, or sudden headaches with visual changes
    • Trouble seeing at night or reading
      In these cases, you should book an exam as soon as possible , not wait for your routine interval.

What people say in forums

  • In life-hacks and advice forums, many users urge annual eye exams, even if you think your vision is perfect, after catching surprise issues like retinal bleeding or big prescription changes.
  • Some posters share negative experiences with incorrect prescriptions, which often leads others to recommend finding a trusted optometrist and sticking to regular checks instead of skipping visits.

Simple rule you can follow

  • If you are healthy, under 60, and symptom‑free : every 1–2 years is a good default.
  • If you are over 60–65, wear contacts, or have any risk factor : once a year is safest.
  • If you notice any sudden change in your vision or eye comfort: go promptly , regardless of when your last exam was.

Bottom line: use the 1–2 year guideline as your baseline, then ask your eye doctor what interval they recommend specifically for you. They may shorten or lengthen it based on your eyes, medical history, and exam findings.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.