Yes!
It’s a good idea to make sure that you and your family have regular eye tests.
Regular tests help identify and solve any vision problems, and regular checks mean that you can receive care for any underlying issues you may have that you are not aware of.
If you already have glasses or contacts, you also need to have regular checks. Wearing the wrong prescription eye wear can cause pain, you may experience headaches and eye strain, and it can be dangerous if you’re driving a car and can’t see as clearly as you should.
Why should I have an eye test?
A key part of an eye test is checking if you have trouble seeing at different distances. If you do, your optometrist will organise for glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision.
Your optometrist will also do a thorough examination of your vision and eye health at your checkup. They are able to detect the early symptoms of eye conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma earlier than when you would experience symptoms. Your optometrist will also look for signs of other medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
And most vision problems can be eased if found and treated early.
Plus you don’t need a doctor’s referral to see an optometrist for an eye test!
How often should I have an eye test?
People aged 40 years and over should have an eye test every 2 to 3 years. But you should have a test more regularly if you have risk factors such as:
- diabetes
- a family history of eye disease
- high blood pressure
It’s a good idea to take your children for an eye test before they start school – and every year until they’re in their 20’s, unless your optometrist recommends more regular tests.
Book yourself in for a test if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Clouded, distorted or dim vision
- Recurrent eye fatigue
- Difficulty focusing
- Dry or sore eyes
- Recurrent headaches or migraines
- Eye strain
- Seeing spots and floaters
- Scratchy, gritty eyes
- Sensitivity to glare
- Difficulty driving at night
- Frequent changes to prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses.
I’ve had eye laser surgery, do I still need to get my eyes tested?
Laser eye surgery procedures are permanent, so most patients will continue to enjoy visual freedom; but that doesn’t mean that you won’t need glasses or contact lenses in the future.
People aged under 40 years of age should not need to wear contact lenses or glasses after surgery, but the extent of your vision improvement after surgery will depend on the stability of your prescription and your age.
Some vision problems, such as presbyopia, come on naturally with age. If you have vision problems after the age of 40 years of age, you may need different treatment. This is why seeing your optometrist regularly can ensure that any changes can be corrected if and when they happen.
