Screening Guidelines

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends comprehensive eye examinations every one to two years for people over age 65 who do not have eye conditions requiring treatment or any risk factors for eye problems.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests the following guidelines for when to have a regular eye exam for people without any medical or visual problems:

Children

Screening for eye disease by trained personnel (eye doctor, pediatrician, or trained screener ):

• Newborn to 3 months
• 6 months to 1 year
• 3 years (approximately)
• 5 years (approximately)

Adults

Comprehensive medical eye exam by an eye doctor:

• Once between age 20-39
• Age 40-64—every two to four years
• Age 65 and older—every one to two years

Some factors may put you at increased risk for eye disease. If any of these factors applies to you, ask your doctor to see how often you should have a medical eye exam:

• Developmental delay
• Premature birth
• Personal or family history of eye disease
• African-American or Hispanic heritage (due to an increased risk for glaucoma)
• Previous serious eye injury
• Use of certain medications
• Certain diseases that affect the whole body (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or HIV infection)

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recently published guidelines that recommends that everyone get a comprehensive eye examination at age 40.