Our Recommended Routine Examination Schedule

For children
Every child should have an eye examination before starting school (about age 5). This is a perfect age to make sure vision is developing normally, and to catch any eye conditions (such as eye muscle imbalance or lazy eye) early, before permanent damage to the vision occurs.

For teenagers
At age 15, driver's education is right around the corner. This is also a good time for a routine examination.

For adults
From age 18 to age 40, we only recommend eye exams if a specific eye problem arises.

But at age 40, you're reaching the years when eye conditions associated with aging become more common. Between age 40 and 50, we recommend an eye examination every two years, unless you're African-American. For African-Americans, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness, and becomes more common in the 40's. So for this group, we recommend once-a-year eye examinations.

By age 60, everyone should be receiving once-a-year eye examinations. In this age group, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration become more common. These are diseases that are often best treated if caught early, so routine eye exams are the best way to keep healthy eyes healthy.