Screening is done to find a health problem early and treat it. Tests are usually given to people who do not have symptoms but who may be at high risk for the health problem.
Ask your doctor when you should be screened. Healthy adults who are not at risk for eye disease may be screened:
You may need to be screened more often if you:
A full eye exam screens for cataracts. The exam may have a:
Cataracts in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116240/Cataracts-in-adults. Updated August 16, 2018. Accessed February 13, 2019.
Facts about cataract. National Eye Institute website. Available at: https://nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts. Updated September 2015. Accessed February 13, 2019.
Get Screened at 40. American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/screening. Updated June 8, 2014. Accessed February 13, 2019.
Vision screening recommendations for adults over 60. American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/seniors-screening. Updated March 3, 2014. Accessed February 13, 2019.
Vision screening recommendations for adults under 40. American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/young-adults-screening. Updated July 17, 2012. Accessed February 13, 2019.
Visual acuity test: performing. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Updated February 16, 2018. Accessed February 13, 2019.
What are cataracts? American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-cataracts. Updated November 9, 2018. Accessed February 13, 2019.
Last reviewed December 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review BoardJames P. Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 2/13/2019