Getting an eye exam is an essential part of maintaining good health. But do you know when you need an eye exam? Do you know what an eye exam in Jacksonville entails? Getting the proper eye test at the right time can help you save your sight. Here is everything you need to know about an eye exam.
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When Should You Get an Eye Exam?
You need an eye exam under different circumstances. Below are some of the ordinary circumstances under which you should consider getting an eye test:
Childhood Vision Screening
Right from birth through childhood and into adolescence, your child’s eyes will keep growing and changing drastically. At birth, you should have your baby checked for primary indicators of eye health. They include a red reflex and blink and pupil response. If you have a baby born prematurely, with signs of eye diseases, or born into a family with a history of childhood eye disease, you should have them checked by an ophthalmologist. You should have your child checked again within six to twelve months, twelve to thirty-six months, three to five years, and at least every year after that.
Baseline eye exams for adults
If you have healthy eyes and good vision, you need to get a complete eye exam from an ophthalmologist in your twenties and thirties. However, some exceptions exist:
- Suppose you develop an eye infection, eye pain, or an injury. Similarly, you should consider getting an eye test if you notice any spontaneous flashes, floaters, or patterns of light.
- If you use contact lenses
- If you have a family history of eye disease or diabetes
Ideally, you should get an eye test at 40. At this age, you can start noticing changes in vision and early signs of eye disease. By getting a timely eye test and early treatment, you can save your sight.
However, not everyone should wait until they turn 40; you need to get regular eye tests, especially if you have risk factors such as:
- High blood pressure
- Family history of eye disease
- Diabetes
After a complete eye exam, an ophthalmologist will tell you how regularly you will check your eyes. When given a schedule, you need to follow it to the latter, especially when you start aging. You have a higher chance of developing eye disease as you grow older.
Seniors
When you get to 65 years of age, you need to make regular visits to your ophthalmologist. They can check for any eye disease associated with age. They include:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Cataracts
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Glaucoma
What Does an Eye Test Involve?
A detailed eye test is pretty straightforward and comfortable. It should last about 45 to 90 minutes. The ophthalmologist will check your medical history, visual acuity, prescriptions for corrective lenses, pupils, side vision, eye movement, eye pressure, front parts of your eye, and your optic nerve and retina.
To summarize, you need regular eye tests to maintain your overall well-being. You should get childhood eye screening tests, baseline eye exams for adults, and annual eye checks when you turn 65. A typical eye test lasts about 45 to 90 minutes, and it checks for various conditions, including eye pressure, eye movement, visual acuity, and optic nerve and retina.