How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
When your eyes feel fine, booking an eye exam can easily slip down the to-do list. But many eye conditions develop slowly and without pain, so the time between visits matters more than most people realize.
Most kids and teens need an eye exam every year, healthy adults under 65 need one every 2 to 3 years, and adults 65+ should go back to yearly visits. Your own schedule can depend on your age and your overall health. A comprehensive eye exam looks at both, along with the health of the structures inside your eye.
Eye Exam Frequency by Age
Your eyes need different things at different stages of life. The first eye exam comes earlier than many parents expect, usually between 6 and 9 months of age. A baby can't tell you the world looks blurry, so an optometrist checks eye alignment, focusing and eye health directly.
From age 6 to 19, book an exam every year. Vision can change quickly during the school years, and a prescription that worked last September may not work this fall.
Once you reach your 20s and 30s, you can usually stretch the gap to every 2 to 3 years. From 40 to 64, aim for every 2 years, since this is when many people first notice that reading up close takes more effort. If anything changes in between, come in sooner.
Why Adults 65+ Need Yearly Eye Exams
Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration all become more common after 65. Many of these conditions start without any symptoms you'd notice on your own.
An annual exam helps your optometrist spot these changes early and compare your results year to year. That ongoing record makes it easier to tell what's normal for your eyes and what needs a closer look.
OHIP Coverage for Eye Exams
OHIP covers a yearly eye exam for kids and teens 19 and under. Adults 65+ are covered for 1 routine exam every 18 months, or more often if they have a condition that affects the eyes.
For ages 20 to 64, OHIP covers exams only for certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or glaucoma. Not sure where you fall? Ask us when you book, and we'll check for you. We also direct bill to most insurance plans.
Please note that OHIP coverage for a routine eye exam does not necessarily include additional diagnostic testing. Tests such as OCT scans, fundus photography and visual field testing may not be covered by OHIP and may involve additional fees. If additional testing is recommended, our team can explain any applicable costs before proceeding.
Health Conditions That Call for More Frequent Eye Exams
Your general health can affect your eyes as much as your age does. You may need an exam every year, or even more often, if any of these apply to you:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
A family history of eye disease
Contact lens wear
With a family history of eye disease, regular visits let your optometrist watch for early signs rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. Kids whose prescriptions change quickly may need checks more than once a year, too.
Signs You Should Book Sooner
Your eyes often tell you something's off before your next appointment. Watch for a few of these:
Blurry vision at a distance or up close
Squinting to read signs or screens
Headaches after a long workday
Tired, dry or gritty eyes by mid-afternoon
Glasses that no longer feel clear or comfortable
Some changes need attention the same day. Call us right away about new floaters drifting across your vision, sudden flashes of light or vision loss in 1 eye, since these can point to a problem with the retina. We keep time open for eye emergencies so you don't have to wait for the next routine opening.
What Happens During a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Your exam starts with a conversation. Your optometrist will ask about your health history and medications, and what your eyes need to do all day, whether that's 10 hours of spreadsheets or a long drive home after dark.
Next, we test your vision and check your prescription. We'll also measure the pressure inside each eye and assess your eye health. When appropriate, we may recommend additional diagnostic testing, such as OCT scans, fundus photography or virtual reality visual field testing, to get a more detailed look at your eyes.
Adult comprehensive eye exams are scheduled for a full hour, giving you time to ask questions and review your results with Dr. Chau. Children's eye exams typically take 30 minutes. Dr. Chau walks you through your images on screen so you can better understand your eye health and any recommended next steps.
How to Prepare for Your Eye Exam
A little preparation can help your optometrist compare where your eyes were with where they are now. Bring these with you:
Your current glasses, including any older pair you still wear
Your contact lenses or the box they came in
A list of your medications and supplements
Think about how many hours you spend on screens each day and how often you drive at night. Those habits can help us figure out which lenses suit you best.
Before you leave, ask for a copy of your prescription. You have a right to your optometric records, and having your prescription on hand makes it easier to order glasses or contacts.
Time to Put Your Eye Exam Back on the Calendar
If it's been a few years since your last exam, or you've never had one where someone explained your results, we're happy to help. Innovation Eye Clinic sets aside a full hour for every exam, so you'll never feel rushed. Book your appointment and bring your questions with you.
