Your eyesight is one of the most important senses. Staying on top of your eye health helps prevents poor vision and blindness and allows you to manage underlying eye conditions. One way to maintain good eye health is by visiting the optometrist regularly for eye exams. But how often should you have your eye exams? Is once a year enough? Here are some factors to consider when determining the frequency of your eye exams.

Your Age

Eyesight deteriorates with age, and most eye conditions develop as one gets older. According to the CDC, age-related macular degradation can cause loss of vision in older people. Poor eye care can speed up degradation and exacerbate the problem. Thus, as one gets older, they should get more frequent exams, preferably once or twice a year. Children should get exams once a year, while adults below 40 years can usually get away with an eye exam once every two years.

Underlying Eye Conditions

Do you have any underlying eye conditions? Do you currently wear prescription glasses or contact lenses? People with underlying eye problems need regular eye examinations to monitor their condition. For example, if you are short-sighted, your condition may deteriorate over time. Thus, your current prescription may not offer an adequate remedy for more than a year. During an eye exam, the optometrist can detect this deterioration and change your prescription.

Eye conditions, such as glaucoma, are progressive. Regular examination and treatment can halt the progression and protect you from poor vision and other related problems. Thus, if you have an existing eye condition, visit a specialist at least once or twice a year for checkups and treatment.

Chronic Medical Conditions

Some chronic illnesses can deteriorate one's eye health. One such condition is diabetes. Diabetes damages blood vessels all over the body, including the eyes. It blocks blood vessels in the eyes, leading to the growth of new vessels that don't work well to boost vision. As a result, one may have trouble reading or seeing faraway objects.

If you have chronic illnesses, it's important to consult an optometrist about the possibility of developing eye problems. Regular exams can unearth eye problems related to diabetes. For example, some treatments block the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the eye. 

Overall Lifestyle

Your lifestyle can impact your eye health. For example, if you spend hours using computers and mobile devices, you may suffer eye strain, conjunctivitis, and other eye conditions. If left unchecked, these problems can get worse with time. It's essential to get regular exams and rule out serious eye problems. Your optometrist can also prescribe treatments such as special eyewear, lubricant eye drops, and eye massages to manage the issues.

The frequency of eye examinations is subject to the above factors. Choose a suitable time interval to optimize eye health. For more information, reach out to a local eye clinic, like Northwest Ophthalmology.