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When to Get an Eye Exam | Vision Care Tips from Experts

 How often do you need an eye exam? Even if your vision feels fine, your age, health, and habits may say otherwise. Discover when—and why—to schedule your next eye check.

Key Takeaways: How Often Do You Need an Eye Exam?

  • Early exams shape lifelong vision – Pediatric eye care should begin before first grade, with annual follow-ups to support learning and catch conditions school screenings often miss.

  • Contact lenses require yearly check-ins – Because contacts are medical devices, Washington law mandates annual exams for safe wear and updated prescriptions.

  • Adults 60+ need yearly exams – Age increases the risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, making annual screenings essential for early detection.

  • Your lifestyle and genetics matter – Medications, family history, smoking, and UV exposure all elevate risk—regular exams help detect subtle warning signs.

  • Don’t ignore sudden changes – Flashing lights, vision loss, or night driving issues may signal emergencies like retinal detachment or cataracts—seek care immediately.

  • Your eyes reflect your overall health – Over 270 diseases, including diabetes and hypertension, can be first spotted in the eyes—routine exams can uncover hidden systemic issues.

A split image showing a woman waiting calmly in a clinic chair on the left, and the same woman undergoing an eye exam with a phoropter on the right, assisted by an optometrist.

How Often Do You Need an Eye Exam?

Answering Seattle’s Common Vision Question
Even if your vision seems clear, eye exam frequency depends on age, health, and lifestyle. At Cannon EyeCare in Seattle, WA, we follow these evidence-based guidelines:

Children’s Eye Exams: Start Early, Check Often

  • Infants (6+ months): First exam if vision concerns arise.

  • Before 1st grade: Mandatory comprehensive pediatric eye exam.

  • School-age children: Annual exams to track vision changes.
    Why?

Vision impacts 80% of learning. School screenings miss 1 in 5 issues—only a licensed Seattle optometrist provides complete diagnostics.

Contact Lens Wearers: Annual Exams Required

  • Contacts are medical devices (prosthetics) risking infections.

  • State law: Prescriptions expire yearly (vs. 2 years for glasses).

Adults 18–60: Exams Every 2 Years

  • Applies if you:

    • Wear glasses (or don’t need correction).

    • Have no underlying conditions.

Adults 60+: Return to Annual Exams

Key Risk Factors for Eye Diseases

Protect Your Vision in Seattle, WA At Cannon EyeCare, we help you identify and manage these common threats to eye health:

1. Medications & Dry Eye

  • Prescription drugs like Accutane often trigger chronic dry eye.

  • Early symptoms include:

    • Brief vision blurring (clearing after blinking)

    • Mild burning or grittiness

    • Unusual watery eyes (reflex tearing)

  • Important: Overusing steroid nasal sprays may cause retinal swelling.

2. Family History Matters

Your risk increases if parents, siblings, or grandparents have:

  • Glaucoma

  • Macular degeneration

  • Diabetic retinopathy
    Comprehensive eye exams at our Seattle clinic enable early genetic risk detection.

3. Sun Exposure & Smoking

Sun Damage:

  • Prolonged UV exposure causes cataracts, corneal burns, and macular degeneration.

  • Prevention: Wear 100% UV-blocking sunglasses daily in Seattle’s bright seasons.

Smoking Risks:

  • Quadruples risk of macular degeneration.

  • Damages optic nerves and blood vessels.

  • Prevention: Ask our doctors about smoking cessation support.

Urgent Eye Issues Can’t-Wait

Seattle-Specific Care When You Need It Most
At Cannon EyeCare, we prioritize urgent eye concerns—never wait months if you experience these symptoms. Your Seattle optometrist team is ready for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Critical Symptoms Requiring Immediate Attention

1. Retinal Emergency Signs

Why urgent? These may signal retinal detachment—a vision-threatening emergency requiring same-day dilated examination.

2. Light Sensitivity

  • New discomfort in bright environments

Possible causes: Eye inflammation or infection

3. Night Vision Decline

  • Difficulty driving after dark

Indicates: Worsening cataracts or outdated prescription

4. Persistent Blurred Vision

  • Unclear sight despite blinking

Solutions: Medical intervention or updated glasses/contacts

5. Frequent Headaches

  • Pain triggered by screens/reading

Relief: Specialized lenses or vision therapy

Beyond Vision: Your Eyes Reveal Overall Health

  • 270+ systemic diseases (like diabetes, and hypertension) show early signs in the eyes.

  • Why annual exams matter:

    • Detect silent conditions before they escalate

    • Align with American Optometric Association guidelines

    • Protect both vision and total-body wellness

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