How often should you get an eye exam?
Written by the eyesight.health editorial teamBased on AAO, AOA and NEI sourcesLast reviewed: Next review:
Not medical advice. This guide is general information, not medical advice. See an optometrist or ophthalmologist about your eyes. How we write our guides.
It depends on your age and your risk. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) suggests a complete exam every 5 to 10 years for healthy adults under 40. It also advises a baseline eye disease screening at 40, and an exam every year or two from 65. [1][2] The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends exams more often. [3][4] If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease, don't wait. [2]
At a glance
Adult eye exams by age
Two major US eye-care groups give different advice. The AAO represents ophthalmologists (medical doctors who specialize in eyes). The AOA represents optometrists (doctors of optometry). The table shows both, for adults with no symptoms or risk factors.
| Age | AAO | AOA |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40 | Every 5 to 10 years [1] | At least every 2 years (ages 19 to 40); the same page also says to get an exam annually [3]; every year in its clinical guideline (ages 18 to 39) [4] |
| 40 to 54 | Baseline screening at 40 [2], then every 2 to 4 years [6] | At least every 2 years (ages 41 to 60) [7]; every year in its clinical guideline (ages 40 to 64) [4] |
| 55 to 64 | Every 1 to 3 years [6] | Same as above [7][4] |
| 65 and older | Every year or two [5] | Every year [4] |
Why the difference? The AOA's consumer page for ages 19 to 40 gives both “at least every two years” and “get an eye examination annually.” [3] The AOA's yearly advice for adults under 65 in its clinical guideline is a consensus statement. Its guideline says there is a lack of published research to support or refute it. [4] In other words, there is no single proven schedule. Your own eye doctor can tell you how often you need exams after looking at your eyes. [1]
Who needs exams more often
The AAO says people with these risk factors should not wait to get an eye exam: [2]
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- a family history of eye disease
The AOA adds a highly visually demanding or eye-hazardous job, and health conditions treated with medicines that can affect vision. [7] The AAO also says contact lens wearers should see an eye specialist every year. [1]
Some eye diseases give no early warning. Glaucoma often has no symptoms until vision loss is extensive. [2] Early AMD (age-related macular degeneration) has no symptoms either. [8] That is why exams matter even when you see well.
Eye checks for children
The AAO recommends vision screening at several stages of childhood: [9]
- Newborn: a basic check of eye health.
- 6 to 12 months: a second screening in the first year.
- 1 to 3 years: a check for healthy eye development.
- 3 to 5 years: vision and eye alignment checks.
- 5 years and older: screening for sharpness of vision and alignment.
A child should have a full exam if they fail a screening, if the screening can't be done, or if a doctor or school nurse refers them. [9] Nearsightedness is the most common problem in school-age children. [9] See our guide to myopia in children.
What happens during an eye exam
A full exam is more than reading a chart. The AAO says it may include: [1]
- questions about your health, family history and medicines
- a vision test with an eye chart
- a check of your glasses or contact lens prescription
- tests of side vision, eye movement and pupils
- a check of the pressure inside your eye, which can point to glaucoma
- a look at the retina and optic nerve, often after dilating drops widen your pupils
The AOA warns against relying on a driver's license vision test or other quick screenings to find eye problems. [7]
When to see an eye doctor
Get urgent help now if
- You suddenly see a lot of new floaters (small dark spots or squiggly lines that drift across your vision) [10]
- You see flashes of light in one or both eyes [10]
- A dark shadow or “curtain” appears at the side or in the middle of your vision. These can be signs of retinal detachment, which the National Eye Institute (NEI) calls a medical emergency. Go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away. [10]
In the US, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. In other countries, call your local emergency number.
Make a routine appointment if
- You notice a change in your vision between exams. [3]
- You have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease. [2]
- Your child fails a vision screening, or the screening could not be done. [9]
- You are 40 and have not had a baseline eye disease screening. [2]
An optometrist or ophthalmologist can check your eyes and tell you what is right for you.
Common questions
How often should adults get an eye exam?
The AAO suggests every 5 to 10 years under 40, a baseline screening at 40, every 2 to 4 years from 40 to 54, every 1 to 3 years from 55 to 64, and every year or two from 65. The AOA recommends exams more often. Your eye doctor can set the right schedule for you. [1][2][6][5][4]
Is a vision screening the same as an eye exam?
No. The AOA advises not relying on a driver's license vision test or other limited screenings. A full exam also checks the health of your eyes. [7][1]
Why get an eye exam if I see fine?
Some eye diseases cause no early symptoms. The AAO notes that glaucoma often has no symptoms until vision loss is extensive. [2]
How often should contact lens wearers get an exam?
The AAO says contact lens wearers should see an eye specialist every year. [1]
Sources
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Eye Exam and Vision Testing Basics.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-exams-101. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Get an Eye Disease Screening by Age 40.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/screening. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- American Optometric Association. “Adult Vision: 19 to 40 Years of Age.” https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-health-for-life/adult-vision-19-to-40-years-of-age. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- American Optometric Association. “Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline: Comprehensive Adult Eye and Vision Examination, Second Edition (PDF).” https://www.aoa.org/AOA/Documents/Practice%20Management/Clinical%20Guidelines/EBO%20Guidelines/Comprehensive%20Adult%20Eye%20and%20Vision%20Examination,%20Second%20Edition.pdf. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Eye Health Information for Adults Over 65.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/seniors. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. “My husband is 55 years old and only needs glasses to read. How often should he have an eye exam?” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/adult-eye-exams-how-often. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- American Optometric Association. “Adult Vision: 41 to 60 Years of Age.” https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-health-for-life/adult-vision-41-to-60-years-of-age. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- National Eye Institute (NIH). “Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Eye Screening for Children.” https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/children-eye-screening. Accessed 2026-11-05.
- National Eye Institute (NIH). “Retinal Detachment.” https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment. Accessed 2026-11-05.
Content reviewed against sources listed. Last reviewed . This guide has not been reviewed by a clinician. Spotted a mistake? See our corrections policy.
Not medical advice. This guide is general information and does not replace an eye exam. For any concern about your eyes or vision, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist.