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

Your eyes are one of the most important organs in your body — yet most people skip regular eye exams until something feels wrong. The truth is, many serious eye conditions develop silently, without any noticeable symptoms, and can only be detected through a comprehensive eye exam.

How Often Do You Need an Eye Exam?

The American Optometric Association recommends:

• Children (6–17 years): At least once a year
• Adults (18–64 years): Every two years, or annually if you wear glasses or contacts
• Seniors (65+): Every year
• Diabetics or high-risk patients: Every year, regardless of age

What Happens During an Eye Exam?

A comprehensive eye exam at Everett Vision Center includes:

• Visual acuity test — Reading letters on a chart to measure how sharp your vision is
• Refraction test — Determines your exact prescription for glasses or contacts
• Eye pressure test — Screens for glaucoma
• Retinal examination — Your doctor looks at the back of your eye to check for signs of disease
• Eye muscle test — Checks how well your eyes move and work together

The entire process takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and it’s completely painless.

Why Regular Eye Exams Matter

Eye exams don’t just check your vision — they can detect serious health conditions early, including:

• Glaucoma — Often called the “silent thief of sight”
• Macular degeneration — The leading cause of vision loss in adults over 50
• Diabetic retinopathy — A complication of diabetes
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol

Does Insurance Cover Eye Exams?

Most vision insurance plans cover annual comprehensive eye exams. At Everett Vision Center, we accept a wide range of insurance plans to make eye care affordable and accessible for everyone in the Everett, MA community.

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

Everett Vision Center is conveniently located in Everett, Massachusetts. Our optometrist, Dr. Emily Rocha, O.D., provides comprehensive eye exams in English and Portuguese.

📞 Call us at (617) 389-0099 or book an appointment online at everettvisioncenter.com/contact-us