Many people skip regular eye exams, thinking, “I can see fine, I don’t need to see an ophthalmologist.” Dr. Andrea Tooley tells you why that’s not true.
About 37 million people aged 40 and older have eye disease. Some of these eye diseases don’t always have early warning signs, and you can lose vision even before you know you have a problem, says Dr. Tooley, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
That’s why everyone needs a baseline exam at age 40. If your doctor gives you a clean bill of health, go back every 2 to 4 years. By age 55, get an exam every 1 to 3 years and by 65, every 1 to 2 years. If you have risk factors, you need to be seen more often. For more ophthalmologist-reviewed tips, visit aao.org/eyesmart
