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A Message FromYour Eye M.D.
Healthy Vision
Preventive eye care is important for everyone. Certain eye conditions and diseases can strike at any time in life, destroying healthy vision.
Common eye problems such as strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (sometimes called "lazy eye") can be detected during regular pediatric appointments through vision screening.
Everyone should take care of their healthy vision by wearing protective eyewear when playing sports, doing yard work, working with chemicals or taking part in other activities that could cause an eye injury.
Even young adults and middle-aged individuals can be affected by eye problems. They too, should use preventative measures to protect their eyes from injury and should have complete eye exams. People at risk for glaucoma, diabetes and other eye conditions have a better chance of preserving vision if they are monitored early and regularly by an Eye M.D. who can detect problems at their earliest stages.
Because cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions affect seniors over age 65, a complete eye exam by their ophthalmologist every one to two years is highly recommended.
Below are suggested guidelines to schedule regular eye examinations for you and your family:
Ages 0 to 2: screening during regular pediatric appointments
Ages 3 to 5: screening every 1 to 2 years during regular primary care appointments
Ages 6 to 19: schedule examinations as needed
Ages 20 to 29: one examination
Ages 30 to 39: two examinations
Ages 40 to 65: examination every 2 to 4 years
Ages 65 and over: examination every 1 to 2 years
If any of the following risk factors affect you, see your Eye M.D. promptly to determine how often you should have a complete eye exam:
History of eye injury
Diabetes
Family history of eye problems
African American over age 40
Protecting your eyes from accidents, and early detection and treatment of eye problems are the best ways to keep your healthy vision throughout life.
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The M.D. makes a difference.
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Patients should see an Ophthalmologist (Eye MD) for a comprehensive eye exam if they have any of the following:
- A family history of eye problems
- Are an African American over the age of 40
- Diabetes
- A personal history of eye injury that required medical or surgical care
- A sudden loss of vision or a significant change in vision since last examined
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All children should be screened for vision problems by their pediatrician or other primary care provider as infants and then again by ages three and five. If there is a family history of vision problems or if there are any questions concerning a childs eye health, they should be examined by an Ophthalmologist or other eye care provider.
Everyone should regularly visit their Ophthalmologist at the following intervals:
Children
Screening for eye diseases should be performed by trained personnel such as a pediatrician, trained screener, or an Eye M.D. (ophthalmologist) from:
Newborn to 3 months
6 months to one year
3 years
5 years
Adults
Those without risk factors for eye disease and no previous history of eye problems:
Age 20-29 years: At least once during this period
Age 30-39 years: At least once during this period
Age 40-64 years: Every 2-4 years
Age 65 years or older: Every 1-2 years
Those with risk factors for eye disease such as glaucoma (people of African descent or those who have a family history of glaucoma), diabetes, macular degeneration (ARMD), or who have a family history of eye disease should be seen more frequently every 1-2 years.
If you are diagnosed with ARMD, cataracts, or some other eye disease, your ophthalmologist will recommend appropriate exam intervals.
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