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How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam_ A Complete Guide

How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam? A Complete Guide

December 30, 2025

Most people don’t even think about getting an eye test done because hey, the eyes are working fine, so why bother? Well, it’s not about your eyes working fine; it’s about the subtle changes that creep up over time, and you don’t even notice a thing. That’s why a routine eye exam is like giving your eyes a full body check-up, catching hidden issues early so you can keep seeing clearly for years to come, because just like regular dental check-ups or health screenings, your eyes need periodic care by eye experts like OM Visionplus..

In this blog, we will walk you through some of the most common questions about eye check-ups, when to go, what to look out for and how to protect your eyes in today’s digital world. So stick with us till the end to learn everything you didn’t know you missed about professional eyecare.

How often should I get my eyes checked if I don’t have vision problems?

Now, even if your eyes feel fine, you still need to get an eye exam. Here’s a basic guide:

  • 20s and 30s: Even if your eyes are healthy, get an eye exam once in your 20s and at least once in your 30s. If everything’s good, you might only need an exam every 2-4 years.
  • 40 and above: Get a comprehensive eye exam when you turn 40, as it serves as a baseline. From then on, even if you have no problems, get your exams done every 2-4 years (40-54), every 1-3 years (55-64), and every 1-2 years after 65.
  • Glasses and contact lenses: Annual exams are recommended if you wear glasses/contact lenses, have health issues, or risk factors.

Also read from our previous blogs: 10 Clear Signs It’s Time for an Eye Check-Up

Now you might ask why. Simply put, some eye diseases, like glaucoma or early cataract formation, don’t show symptoms until damage has already progressed within. In those cases, regular exams help detect them early. Plus, as you age, your eyes go through minor changes you may not even notice. That’s why prevention is better than a delayed response.

What are the early signs of eye conditions that regular check-ups can detect?

As we were saying, some serious eye conditions develop quietly, without noticeable symptoms, because many eye diseases start subtly and progress slowly. Only a full exam, where eye doctors test not only visual acuity but also eye pressure, retina health, lens clarity, colour vision, and eye alignment, can detect them.

This is why regular check-ups are worth it. Here are early warning signs and what they could mean:

  • Blurry or double vision: If you get blurry or double vision, it could be a sign of refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or even early cataracts.
  • Trouble seeing at night or glare from lights: If you get glare from lights or can’t see properly, then it’s often related to cataracts or early lens changes.
  • Gradual loss of side vision (peripheral vision): Losing your peripheral vision might indicate pressure build-up inside the eye, especially the risk of Glaucoma, as this often shows no early symptoms and only a full exam, like tonometry with an optic nerve check, can detect it.
  • Sudden floaters, flashes of light: If you suddenly notice floaters, flashes of light, or shadows/curtains across your vision, it could indicate retinal issues or other serious problems.
  • Trouble reading or focusing on close objects: And, if you can’t read or focus on close objects, it could mean age-related changes like Presbyopia.
  • Changes in colour perception, dimness, or yellowing: If there are changes, it may be early signs of cataract or lens changes.
  • Dryness, itchiness, recurring redness, irritation or watery eyes: If your eyes dry out too soon or become red or watery, it could mean allergies, dry-eye syndrome, or surface ocular issues.
  • Frequent headaches, eye strain, squinting or difficulty after long screen use: And frequent headaches, eye strain, and squinting might be early signs of eye fatigue, refractive error, or a need for vision correction.

Can an eye exam reveal other health issues like diabetes or hypertension?

So the answer is yes, an eye exam can reveal other health issues like diabetes or hypertension. How? Well, our eyes are often called “the window to your health” because certain changes in the eye can reflect broader issues in your body. During a comprehensive eye exam, trained professionals examine the retina, blood vessels, optic nerve and more. This can show signs not only of eye diseases but also systemic conditions.


Let’s break it down:

  • Diabetic Retinopathy or uncontrolled diabetes: An eye checkup can detect small haemorrhages (tiny bleeds) on the retina, swelling or leaking of blood vessels in the eye, abnormal growth of new vessels or other retina changes. The symptoms are often mistaken for simple blurred vision, when in reality, it could be anything bigger. Thanks to this, one can get detected with diabetes before it’s too late.
  • High blood pressure (hypertension): In cases of hypertension, an eye test can detect changes in retinal blood vessels, micro-aneurysms or minute haemorrhages, and retinal swelling or leakage.

Sometimes, a professional eye check-up can also hint at vascular problems, high cholesterol or even neurological disorders because the retina and optic nerve are part of the central nervous system and show signs of systemic changes. So, to answer your question, yes, because of the unique structure of the eye, a routine eye check-up can go beyond vision and help monitor overall health!

What’s the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist for routine eye care?

Knowing who to see is key. Now, both optometrists and ophthalmologists play important roles, but their training and scope differ. Let the following help you understand and pick the right specialist for you:

  • Optometrist: An Optometrist is someone who performs regular eye exams, such as checking vision with a chart, testing for refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, prescribing glasses or contact lenses, screening for some eye diseases, and monitoring general eye health.
  • Ophthalmologists: Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions, including the retina, optic nerve, glaucoma, cataracts, and corneal issues. Apart from that, they also do eye surgery if needed and manage complex or serious eye problems.

So, who is the right one for you? Well, if you just need a prescription for glasses or contacts, a standard vision check or general eye screening, then an optometrist is enough. But if there are signs of disease, you have a complex eye problem, or you need medical or surgical treatment, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal issues, you should see an ophthalmologist.

How can I protect my eyes from digital screen strain in today’s lifestyle?

We’re almost into 2026 and clearly part of the new digital world. Here, saying no to screentime is virtually impossible, whether for work or entertainment. But when you start adapting to new habits like these, things will fall into place and give your eyes a rest:

  • 20–20–20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen and at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This will help relax the focusing muscles and reduce eye fatigue.
  • Blink more: When we stare at screens, our blink rate drops, leading to eye dryness. So, make an effort to blink deliberately. You can also use lubricating eye drops, but only after consulting your eye doctor.
  • Use proper lighting: Proper lighting is important, so work in a well-lit room, avoid glare or harsh overhead lights, and keep screens at a comfortable distance, which is at least an arm’s length and a little below eye level.
  • Adjust screen settings: Adjust the screen and lower brightness to match ambient light, increase text size if needed, and reduce blue light. You can also use built-in screen filters or night mode.
  • Take breaks: Taking breaks is important, especially during long screen sessions. You can give your eyes a rest by standing up, stretching, looking outside or focusing on distant objects to improve circulation and reduce eye strain.
  • Good posture: Yep, good posture can also help. All you need to do is keep good posture while working. And avoid slouching or leaning too close, as this can worsen eye strain and aggravate your neck/back issues.
  • Stay hydrated and eat eye-friendly food: Stay hydrated! Make drinking water and eating foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids, like leafy greens, nuts, and fish, a habit, because it helps you maintain eye health.
  • Book an appointment: And, as we mentioned earlier, even if you feel fine, occasional eye exams help catch dryness, strain-related changes or early signs of trouble—book now with Om Visionplus in Bhubaneswar.

Bottom Line

In a fast-paced city like Bhubaneswar, it is quite natural to forget about your health. But remember that, just like your other organs, your eyes are equally important, and taking care of them is essential, no matter what. Ignoring yearly check-ups can affect you in the long run. So, start investing from now so you don’t suffer later in life. Eat your greens right and book your eye test with the experts, OM Visionplus.

For more information, you can get in touch with us.