“Every two years” is the answer most people hear — and for many healthy adults it is exactly right. But eyes do not all age on the same schedule, and several common situations call for yearly visits instead.
Children and teenagers: every year
Vision changes fastest during school years, and children rarely complain — they assume everyone sees the way they do. A yearly exam before each school year catches myopia early, when myopia-control options work best.
Adults 18 to 60: every one to two years
If your prescription is stable and your eyes are healthy, two years is fine. Come yearly if you wear contact lenses, manage diabetes or high blood pressure, take medication with ocular side effects, or have a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration.
Adults over 60: every year
Cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration all rise sharply after 60 — and all are most treatable when caught early. Annual imaging lets us compare your retina against your own baseline instead of guessing.
Come sooner if you notice…
- Sudden flashes, new floaters, or a curtain over part of your vision — same-day urgency.
- Persistent redness, pain, discharge, or light sensitivity lasting more than a day.
- Headaches after reading, double vision, or vision that fluctuates through the day.
When in doubt, call us. A quick phone triage costs nothing, and we would far rather see you early than late. Book your next exam here — most visits take under an hour.