How Often Should I Have My Eyes Examined?
Understanding eye exams

Depending on age, risk factors and physical condition Eye care experts recommend that everyone have a complete eye exam every one to three years.
According to experts, approximately one in 20 preschool children and one in four school-aged children have an eye problem that could cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. Children with risk factors for vision problems should have frequent eye exams; ask your doctor for more specific information. Children who have no symptoms and who are at low risk for eye problems should have their eyes screened by six months of age, then examined at age three and again at the start of school. Risk-free children should then continue to have their eyes examined at least every two years throughout school.
Some examples of common risk factors include prematurity, developmental delays, turned or crossed eyes, family history of eye disease, a history of eye injury, or other physical illness or disease. According to experts, children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses need to be seen annually to keep their prescriptions current.
Experts also recommend an annual eye exam for any adult who wears eyeglasses or contacts. You still need an eye exam every two to three years up to the age of 40, even if you don't normally need vision correction, depending on your rate of visual change and overall health. More frequent examinations might be recommended by doctors for adults with diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders, because many diseases can have an impact on the health of your eyes.
It's a good idea to have your eyes examined every one to two years to check for common age-related eye problems such as presbyopia, cataracts and macular degeneration if you are over forty years of age.
Since the risk of eye disease continues to increase with advancing age, everyone over the age of 60 should be examined annually. Ask your eye care professional what interval is right for you.
Who Should I Consult for My Eye Exam?

Ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians are the three main kinds of eye care professionals. Who you should see depends on your needs.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors specializing in eye care. They also perform eye surgery and treat medical conditions of the eye as well as prescribing eyeglasses and contacts. Ophthalmologists have typically received 12 or more years of training.
Optometrists, who generally receive eight years of training, are eye doctors who can prescribe glasses and contacts and treat medical conditions of the eye with eye drops and other medicines. Optometrists perform certain minor surgical procedures and also prescribe glasses, contacts, low-vision aids, vision therapy and medication to treat eye diseases,
Opticians, usually not considered doctors, are eye care professionals who adjust and repair glasses, instruct patients in contact-lens use and grind and put together spectacles. Sometimes, specially trained opticians can determine your prescription and fit contact lenses. Opticians generally receive their training either "on the job" by apprenticeship or from technical schools.