Eye Care Eye Care Basics

The Eye Examination

When Should I Have My Eyes Examined?

Adults
If you are an adult without risk factors for eye disease, The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that you have an eye examination at least once between the ages 20 and 39, every two to four years between ages 40 and 64, and every one to two years if you are 65 or older. If you are African-American or have a family history of glaucoma, you should be examined every three to five years between 20 and 39 years of age, every two to four years between ages 40 and 64, every one to two years if you are older than 65. People with diabetes should receive an examination by an eye doctor at least once a year.

Children
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus recommend that a pediatrician or family physician examine infants in the nursery and that high-risk infants be examined by an ophthalmologist. Children’s eyes should be screened by their pediatrician, family physician, or ophthalmologist at ages six months, three and one-half years, and five years. After that, screening should be performed at routine school examinations or if eye symptoms are present. Routine examinations by an ophthalmologist are not of significant benefit.
 

Who Should Examine My Eyes?

Eye examinations are performed by eye doctors--ophthalmologists (eye MDs) or optometrists (doctorates of optometry). In some cases, assistants or technicians may perform portions of the examination. In general, the quality of the examination depends on the training, experience, and intelligence of the examiner, as well as the thoroughness and duration of examination.
 

Examination Preparation

Remember to bring a list of all your medications. If your history is complicated, old medical records or a report from your previous doctor can be invaluable. If you anticipate that the doctor will dilate your pupils (ask about this at the time you schedule the appointment), plan on not driving for four hours after the examination. Clarify with the doctor’s office your insurance coverage and the procedure that you and the doctor must follow to obtain optimum insurance coverage for the visit. In particular, if your insurer requires pre-certification, make sure the doctor’s office has this before you are seen.
 

The Eye Examination

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