Why eye exams matter for everyone
Even if your vision seems fine or you don’t wear glasses, that doesn’t always mean your eyes are healthy. Many eye conditions develop gradually and without noticeable symptoms. Regular eye exams play a critical role in identifying these changes early and protecting your long-term eye health.
Eye exams are valuable for more than just assessing how clearly you see. In addition to identifying common vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism, they also provide a thorough check of your eye health. These exams can detect early signs of serious conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.
Beyond your eyes, these exams can be effective in telling a greater story about your overall health, sometimes uncovering signs of systemic issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and others.
What an eye exam checks beyond the need for glasses
A comprehensive eye exam goes beyond checking for blurry vision or updating eyeglass prescriptions. It is also a way to identify conditions that may be affecting your eyes or other aspects of your health.
Eye health conditions
During an eye exam, your eye doctor will evaluate your eyes for current conditions or those that could cause issues over time. Some eye conditions can develop without pain or early warning signs, making exams crucial for diagnosis. Early diagnosis helps ensure prompt treatment and better outcomes to preserve your eye health.
Some common eye conditions that may be detected during an eye exam include:
- Glaucoma – This is a class of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve (which sends visual information from the eye to the brain). Glaucoma often develops without early indicators and typically begins with subtle vision changes. It can impact anyone, though it’s more common in older adults and certain ethnic groups.
- Cataracts – Cataracts develop when the eye’s natural crystalline lens becomes cloudy, which can gradually make your vision appear dull, blurry or distorted.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) – AMD is a condition that affects the macula (the center of the retina, which is the light-sensitive membrane at the back of your eye). It can lead to central vision loss. Timely diagnosis and management can help slow its progression.
- Diabetic retinopathy – With diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak fluid or blood. Over time, this can lead to scarring, vision loss or even blindness in severe cases.
Visual function
An eye exam also looks at other aspects of your vision to assess how well your eyes function. To get a full picture of your visual health, tests may be conducted to evaluate your:
- Depth perception – Your ability to judge the distance between objects and see in three dimensions
- Color vision – Your ability to see and distinguish between certain colors
- Eye muscle movement – How your eyes track objects and coordinate with one another
- Peripheral vision – How well you can see above, below and to the sides while looking straight ahead
- Pupil response – How your pupils react to light
LEARN MORE: Tests in an eye exam
Overall health insights
Eye exams can uncover more than just vision problems — they can also reveal important clues about your overall health. In fact, over 270 medical conditions can cause changes in the eyes that may be detected during a routine eye exam, including:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- High cholesterol
- Multiple sclerosis
- Thyroid disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Links between the retina and overall health
The retina provides a glimpse into other aspects of your overall health, helping eye doctors detect signs of systemic diseases. Advanced imaging tools are commonly used during eye exams to capture pictures of the retina, often revealing changes linked to broader health issues.
Researchers have found that changes in specific layers of the retina may be associated with:
- Neurological conditions
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Metabolic disorders
- Lung diseases
- Kidney diseases
Since each retinal layer is composed of distinct cell types, variations in their thickness may reflect different underlying health problems. This can make retinal imaging during eye exams a valuable resource for assessing overall health.
When should you get an eye exam?
Even if they don’t need glasses or contacts, it’s recommended that adults with no risk factors receive an eye exam once per year. However, some individuals may need more frequent exams if they have certain risk factors, such as:
- A family history of eye disease
- A health condition that can affect the eyes, like diabetes or high blood pressure
- Are age 60 or older, as age-related eye conditions become more common
It’s recommended that children have exams at the following ages:
- Between 6 and 12 months
- Between 3 and 5 years
- Prior to first grade (typically around age 6)
After these initial years, children should have eye exams annually or as recommended by their eye doctor. However, if your child is showing signs of eye problems or sudden changes in their vision, schedule an eye exam for them as soon as possible. Certain conditions, such as strabismus (misaligned eyes), can impact vision development if not detected early.
Other times an eye exam might be needed
Outside of routine eye exams, you should seek immediate care if you experience any of the following:
- Changes in your vision
- Persistent eye pain
- Eye redness
- Injury or trauma to the eye
- A sudden appearance or increase in floaters (tiny dark or clear shapes that drift through your field of vision)
- A sudden appearance or increase in flashes (brief bursts of light in your visual field)
- A sudden appearance of a dark curtain over your vision
- Seeing halos around lights, especially if accompanied by nausea or blurry vision
How to choose an eye care provider
Choosing the right eye care provider depends on your specific needs. Both optometrists and ophthalmologists perform routine eye exams and prescribe corrective lenses. Optometrists handle general vision concerns and treat some eye conditions, while ophthalmologists are medical doctors who also perform eye surgery and treat complex eye diseases. Your choice of provider should align with the type of eye care you require.
To find a provider you trust, ask about the technology they use, their approach to care and whether they have experience with your specific concerns. It’s also smart to check reviews and verify certifications through professional organizations like the American Board of Optometry or the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Common myths about eye exams
Some people may skip eye exams because of common misconceptions about when and why they are needed. Understanding the truth behind these myths can encourage better eye care habits.
Myth: “I see fine, so I don’t need an eye exam.”
An eye exam doesn’t just allow your doctor to evaluate your vision — it provides information about the anatomy and overall health of your eyes. You might see well now, but you could have early signs of a condition that may later harm your eye health and vision.
Myth: “Eye exams are only for getting glasses.”
While updating a vision prescription is a reason to visit the eye doctor, it’s not the only one. Eye exams play a key role in protecting your eyes and general health, even if you don’t need corrective lenses.
Myth: “Young people don’t need eye exams.”
Children need regular eye exams to help protect their vision and support healthy development. Many eye conditions don’t cause obvious symptoms, so routine checkups are the best way to catch any issues early on.
Good vision is especially important in school, where reading and writing rely on clear sight. Without correction, even minor vision problems can impact a child’s ability to learn and focus.
Routine eye exams matter, even without glasses
Eye exams can detect eye diseases in their early stages, which can give you a better chance of preserving your vision. For example, when diabetic retinopathy is identified early, treatment has the potential to minimize or prevent the loss of vision for individuals with diabetes.
Early detection can also reveal signs of broader health problems, including diabetes and high blood pressure. When these conditions are found during an eye exam, it can allow for faster medical intervention and improved long-term outcomes. Acting early helps both your eyes and your general health.
