Regular ophthalmologist appointments are essential to stay healthy, but the frequency will not be the same for a 20-year-old and a 70-year-old. And just because everything is fine does not mean that you should not go to the ophthalmologist. If you never have pain in your eyes, a routine visit every year, or even every two years, will be sufficient.

On the other hand, if you have difficulty seeing from a distance, if you have a headache when you look at the screens for too long or if your eyes get tired too quickly, then do not delay in contacting a specialist.

Better safe than sorry, no matter how old you are

Most of the time, your doctor will tell you how often they want to see you. If you wear glasses, you will be recommended to visit every year and if you wear contact lenses, you will be well inspired to visit your specialist twice a year. This visit will allow him to see if you are tolerating contact lenses and if your visual acuity has changed or not.

Not going to the ophthalmologist because you think you have no particular problem with your eyes is taking the risk of allowing diseases to develop silently. Some conditions require treatment before it is too late. This is the case with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which can lead to blindness if not taken care of. This is also the case with glaucoma, which is characterized by destruction of the optic nerve, and cataracts which can do significant damage.

After a certain age, visits should be even more regular

As a rule of thumb, don’t let 3 years go by without going to your eye doctor. From the age of 50, don’t let 2 years pass, because that’s when glaucoma and AMD can develop. From the age of 60, we recommend that you make an appointment every year. Indeed, at 65, 1 in 5 people suffer from cataracts. After the age of 70, do not take the risk of postponing your visit because the risk of glaucoma increases with age.

But from what age should you take your child to an ophthalmologist? Specialists recommend scheduling an appointment before your child turns 4 because it is in the first years of life that most visual disturbances in children can be completely resolved. So think about going to a specialist around the age of 18 months and schedule another visit around the age of 3.

Visits will be recommended more when there is a family history, when the child rubs their eyes regularly, if they have red eyes, if they squint or if you perceive a white reflection in the pupils. During these exams, the ophthalmologist will test the pupil narrowing reflex, look for possible strabismus and check how each eye is functioning to detect any abnormalities of the cornea and lens.

Marine Rondot

To read also: Ophthalmologist: when to consult him?