How often should I consult an optometrist?

Routine visits to the optometrist tend to be underestimated, indeed we rarely go see one. However, this medical examination is essential to detect and even prevent certain diseases and vision disorders: age, vision problems, pain, fatigue, etc. Several factors come into play. Here are VU’s optometrists’ main recommendations.

Age is a key factor in eye exams

Throughout your life, your vision and visual functions develop and evolve over time. It is therefore important to have regular eye exams. Our team of optometrists generally recommends follow-up depending on your age.

Between the ages of zero and three, pediatricians, paediatricians and paediatric optometrists are responsible for screening and caring for young children according to certain symptoms. At 3 years old, in the absence of early visual signs and symptoms, it is recommended to have the first eye examination. A second review is required at 5 years old to ensure that there are no anomalies. 

Between the ages of six and thirty, children, adolescents and young adults in school must have at least one eye exam per year. After 30 visits an optometrist can be limited to every two years, unless advised differently. For instance, for adults wearing contact lenses, an annual examination is recommended. After 65, the first vision issues tend to develop. To prevent them, yearly examinations are recommended. 

Signs not to be overlooked

In addition to regular eye exams at your eye clinic, there may also be situations that require an emergency visit to your optometrist. Beyond age, here is a list of symptoms that often require a visit to an emergency optometry clinic:

• Decrease or absence of vision in one or both eyes.
• Changes in vision and field of vision: lightning, waves of light, wavy or aqueous vision, blurred faces, distortions or wavy lines, halos, double vision, shadows, veiled vision, black spots, blurred vision…
• Physical changes in the eye: pain, eyes turning in, out, up or down, signs of infection (redness, swelling), etc.
• Changes in colour perception
• Intense eye fatigue

Why stick to the set frequence of examinations ?

Many people react too late, regardless of age. Glaucoma, for instance, could be managed in time if more patients consulted their optometrist more regularly. Indeed, this type of disease does not cause any apparent symptoms in its initial stage. Only a thorough eye examination by an optometrist can detect it in time. Prevention is better than a cure, no matter your age!

The optometrists at the VU Optical Clinic offer the most comprehensive eye examination possible through the use of the TCO scanner in all basic examinations. The team, composed of optometrists, opticians, technicians and face stylists, stands out for its know-how and professionalism. Check out the services offered to learn more.