How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam? A Guide by Age

by Mountain Eye | Nov 11, 2026

Eye doctor examining a patient's eyes with a slit lamp

When was your last complete eye exam? If you can't remember, you're not alone. Many people only see an eye doctor when something seems wrong. But many eye diseases have no symptoms at first, so a regular exam is often the only way to catch them early.

This guide explains how often adults should get an eye exam, who needs one sooner, and what happens during a visit, using guidance from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the National Eye Institute (NEI).

Why a complete eye exam matters

A vision check tells you how clearly you see. A complete (comprehensive) eye exam goes further and looks at the health of the whole eye, including the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye.

The NEI calls a dilated eye exam the only way to check for eye diseases early on, when they're easier to treat and before they cause vision loss. During the exam, your eye doctor uses drops to widen (dilate) your pupils and look inside your eyes. That helps them check for common problems such as:

Glaucoma
Cataracts
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Diabetic retinopathy

"Since many eye diseases have no symptoms or warning signs, you could have a problem and not know it."

NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

How often do you need an eye exam?

The right schedule depends on your age, your health and your risk for eye disease. Here is the general guidance from the AAO and NEI:

Adults under 40 with healthy eyes. The AAO recommends a complete eye exam every 5 to 10 years.
Around age 40. The AAO notes this is when early signs of eye disease or changes in vision may start to appear.
Age 60 and older. The NEI recommends a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years. The AAO says adults 65 and older should have their eyes checked every year or two.
Higher-risk groups. The NEI also recommends a dilated exam every 1 to 2 years if you are African American and over 40, or if you have a family history of glaucoma.

Who should not wait

Some people need exams sooner or more often. The AAO says to see an ophthalmologist now if you have an eye disease or risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease. The NEI adds that most people with diabetes or high blood pressure need a dilated eye exam at least once a year. If you wear contact lenses, the AAO recommends seeing an eye specialist every year.

After your exam, your eye doctor can tell you how often to come back. Follow the schedule they give you, especially as you get older.

Don't wait for your next exam if something changes

The AAO says to call your ophthalmologist if you have an eye infection, an injury or eye pain, or if you notice sudden floaters, flashes or patterns of light. These can be signs of a problem that needs care right away. (AAO)

Hands holding a pair of eyeglasses up to an eye chart

What happens during a complete eye exam

The exam is simple and painless. The AAO says it usually takes 45 to 90 minutes. Here is what your eye doctor may check.

1. Your health history

Your doctor asks about your vision, your general health, the medicines you take, whether you wear glasses or contacts, and your family's medical history.

2. Vision and prescription

You read an eye chart to measure how clearly you see. Looking through a device with different lenses, called a phoropter, helps find the right glasses or contact lens prescription.

3. Eye pressure and side vision

A tonometry test measures the pressure inside your eye, and a visual field test checks your side vision. High pressure and lost side vision can both be signs of glaucoma.

4. The front of the eye

A slit-lamp microscope lights up your eyelids, cornea, iris and lens. The AAO says this checks for cataracts and for scars or scratches on the cornea.

5. The retina and optic nerve

Dilating drops widen your pupils so your doctor can look for signs of disease at the back of the eye. Your vision may be blurry and light-sensitive for a few hours afterward. (NEI)