When was your last eye exam? If it’s been more than a couple of years—or you can’t quite remember—it might be time to schedule one. Regular eye exams aren’t just about checking your vision. They’re an essential part of maintaining overall eye health and detecting early signs of conditions that could impact your quality of life.
So, how often should you get an eye exam? The answer depends on your age, health history, and whether you have any risk factors or existing vision concerns.
Why Are Eye Exams So Important?
Your eyes change over time—sometimes gradually, sometimes unexpectedly. For children, eye exams are essential for ensuring visual development is on track. For adults and seniors, exams help monitor for changes that could signal eye diseases or underlying health issues.
Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, don’t show symptoms until permanent damage has occurred. Regular exams allow your optometrist to detect these issues early, often before you notice anything yourself.
For children, eye exams are also critical to academic success. Since more than 80% of classroom learning is visual, ensuring clear and comfortable vision supports reading, writing, and social interaction.
What Can Be Detected During an Eye Exam?
Comprehensive eye exams are about more than just updating your glasses or contact lens prescription. Your optometrist will examine many aspects of your vision and eye health, including:
- Refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness)
- Astigmatism
- Eye alignment and coordination problems
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- High blood pressure or signs of systemic disease
- Signs of autoimmune disease
- Much more
In some cases, an eye exam can even reveal early indicators of conditions such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, giving you the opportunity to seek timely medical care.
Signs You May Need an Eye Exam
While following general exam frequency guidelines is a good start, there are certain symptoms that may mean it’s time to see your optometrist sooner. Watch for signs such as:
- Frequent squinting or rubbing your eyes
- Headaches or eye strain, especially after reading or screen use
- Difficulty seeing at night or adjusting to light changes
- Blurry vision or trouble focusing
- Dry, watery, or itchy eyes
- Flashes of light or a sudden increase in floaters
- Difficulty reading or doing close-up tasks
These symptoms may indicate anything from a change in prescription to the early stages of an eye disease.
How Often Should You Schedule an Eye Exam?
Here are the general guidelines recommended by the Canadian Association of Optometrists:
Children (0–19 years)
- First exam between 6–9 months
- At least one exam between 2–5 years
- Annual exams from ages 6 to 19, especially during school years
Adults (20–64 years)
- Every 2 years, unless you have existing vision issues, wear contact lenses, or are at higher risk due to health conditions
Seniors (65 years and older)
- Annually, as age-related changes increase the risk for eye conditions like glaucoma and cataracts
Of course, these are just guidelines. If you’re experiencing symptoms or have specific health concerns, your optometrist may recommend more frequent check-ups.
What to Expect During an Eye Exam
If you’ve never had a comprehensive eye exam—or it’s been a while—it’s helpful to know what’s involved. On average, an eye exam should take between 30 to 60 minutes, although the time can vary depending on what comes up during the exam.
As for cost, an eye exam in BC costs, on average, anywhere from $100 to $250. This range can vary depending on multiple factors, including the type of exam and where you go for your appointment. Children’s exams cost less, and at Tutt Street Optometry there is no cost for those in kindergarten – make sure to mention your child’s grade to your optometrist so they are aware.
Before the Exam
You’ll be asked about your:
- Current vision concerns
- Medical and family health history
- Medications you’re taking
- History of glasses or contact lenses
If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them to your appointment. This helps your optometrist compare your current prescription to your visual needs.
During the Exam
Your optometrist will perform a variety of tests, including:
- Visual acuity testing to check how clearly you see
- Refraction to determine your glasses or contact lens prescription
- Eye movement and coordination assessments
- Peripheral vision testing
- Colour vision screening
- Slit-lamp examination to assess the front of your eyes
- Intraocular pressure testing (often a “puff test”) to check for glaucoma
- Retinal examination, sometimes with dilation, to examine the back of the eye
Each of these tests plays a role in building a complete picture of your vision and eye health.
After the Exam
Once your optometrist has completed the assessment, they’ll explain the results, provide a new prescription if needed, and discuss any recommendations for follow-up, treatment, or lifestyle adjustments. If necessary, they may also schedule additional testing or refer you to a specialist.
Why Early Detection Matters
Many serious eye conditions progress slowly and painlessly, meaning you may not notice a problem until vision loss has already occurred. Furthermore, many eye diseases are not reversible so the goal is to start treatment before there is vision loss in order to prevent irreversible vision loss. That’s why consistent, proactive care is so important.
Early detection means:
- Better treatment options
- Reduced risk of vision loss
- More cost-effective care
- Improved overall health awareness
Even if your vision seems stable, eye exams allow your optometrist to catch small changes before they become bigger issues.
Protect Your Vision with Regular Eye Exams
Your vision is a vital part of your well-being. Taking the time for regular eye exams is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your sight for life.
At Tutt Street Optometry in Kelowna, we’re committed to helping you see clearly and comfortably—now and for the long term. Whether it’s time for your routine exam or you’re experiencing vision changes, our team is here to provide personalized, thorough care tailored to your needs. Book your next eye exam today and take an important step toward lifelong eye health.
