When was the last time you had your vision checked? If you don’t know, you could be overdue for an eye exam.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has specific guidelines regarding regular eye exams for children and adults. Children’s eyes are tested at birth, between six and 12 months, between 12 and 36 months, and between three and five years. If your child shows signs of a vision problem, they will be referred to a specialist and likely have more frequent eye exams as they grow.
Once people reach adulthood, those with good vision should have a complete eye exam once in their 20s and twice in their 30s. At age 40, a baseline comprehensive eye exam is recommended, even if you don’t wear glasses. This exam looks for early signs of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. After age 65, you should have a complete eye exam at least every two years.
See your eye doctor more often if:
- You wear glasses or contact lenses – once a year is recommended
- You have diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease. Ask your ophthalmologist how often you should have your eyes examined.
Make an appointment with your eye doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Vision changes
- Eye pain
- Drainage or redness which are signs of possible infection
- Double vision
- Floaters
- Halos
- Flashes of light
Guarding Your Vision
Follow these tips to maintain your eye health:
- Know your family’s health history. There are over 350 hereditary eye diseases, and many can cause blindness. Additional screening and early treatment are key to protecting your sight and eye health.
- Wear protective eyewear when playing sports, painting, doing yard work and home repairs and practice workplace eye safety.
- Wear chemical safety goggles when using hazardous solvents or detergents
- Wear sunglasses that block at least 99% of UVA and UVB radiation
- Eat a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C and E, zinc, and lutein (like leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts, and citrus fruits)
- Stay hydrated – drinking plenty of water helps your eyes stay moist
- Wash your hands before taking out your contacts and clean your contact lenses properly to avoid infection
- Wash your hands after using household products: according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology household products cause more than 125,000 serious eye injuries each year
- Don’t ever sleep in contact lenses – even for a nap. This reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your cornea which can damage your cornea's surface and increase the risk of infection
- Limit screen time and adjust your screen settings to reduce glare or consider blue light filters
- When on your computer, follow the 20/20/20 rule to reduce eyestrain – every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds
- Make sure you work and read in well-lit areas to reduce eye strain
Eye Makeup Safety
You want your eyes to look good and see well. That means being mindful about makeup safety. Don’t be one of those people who puts mascara on behind the wheel, a common cause of injuries to the cornea, and NEVER share cosmetics or makeup brushes with anyone.
Wash your hands and face with soap and water (not hand sanitizer) before putting on makeup or inserting contact lenses. Store cosmetics at room temperature. Toss old mascara after three months, and don’t moisten it with water or saliva. Remove makeup thoroughly with a gentle cleanser before going to bed to avoid irritation or potential infection.
If you want to dye your brows or lashes, go to a licensed professional who uses FDA approved products. Avoid glitter makeup – the large particles can damage your eye, especially if you wear contacts.
This article appeared in the October 2024 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.
