How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam After 60?

The short answer

The National Eye Institute (NEI) advises a dilated eye exam every one to two years if you are over 60. That is the starting point for most people in The Villages. It applies whether you have lived here for years or just arrived for the season.

However, some people need to come in more often. NEI says people with diabetes or high blood pressure usually need a yearly exam. Then your eye doctor will tell you what schedule fits your own eyes. A good plan is to book your next visit before you leave the office. That way it does not slip your mind between rounds of golf and trips to see the grandkids.

Why seniors need regular exams

Many eye diseases give no warning at first. You can see well and still have early changes inside the eye. A dilated exam is how your doctor looks at the back of the eye. Problems such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy show up there.

NEI calls the dilated exam the only way to find some eye diseases early, when they are easier to treat and before they cause vision loss. Also, the CDC lists cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma among the major causes of vision loss in the United States.

That is why waiting until something feels wrong is a risky plan. Your glasses may also need a small change that you have gotten used to without noticing. For example, a slightly weak prescription can show up as headaches, tired eyes or trouble reading menus in dim restaurants.

Because changes in vision are common with age, regular exams are a main way to catch problems early. If you notice trouble with glare, dim light or reading small print, mention it at your visit.

What happens at the exam

First, a comprehensive exam covers more than reading letters on a chart. At our office the visit can include:

• Visual acuity, which checks how clearly you see
• Refraction, which finds the lens power that suits you
• Eye pressure, which is one part of glaucoma checking
• A slit lamp exam of the front of the eye
• A look at the back of the eye, with dilation when needed

However, retinal imaging may reduce the need for dilation for some patients. Ask Dr. Russell whether it makes sense for you.

Dilation and the drive home

Dilating drops widen the pupil so the doctor can see inside. NEI notes that afterward your vision may be blurry and you may be sensitive to light for a few hours.

So bring sunglasses. In The Villages, many patients arrive by golf cart. If you expect to be dilated, think about asking a spouse or neighbor to drive you home, or plan a car ride instead. Your doctor can tell you at the start of the visit whether dilation is likely.

Reasons to come in sooner

Do not wait for your next scheduled exam if you notice any of these:

• Red, painful or very itchy eyes
• A sudden change in how well you see
• New floaters or flashes of light
• Trouble seeing at night that is getting worse
• Double vision

Sudden flashes of light, a shower of new floaters, a curtain over your vision, sudden vision loss or a chemical in the eye: call (352) 399-5412 right away, or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you wear glasses or contacts, a yearly check also keeps your prescription current. Fresh lenses can make reading, driving and golf easier, even when your eye health is steady.

Making it routine

Many snowbirds fit an exam in soon after they arrive, or just before they head north. If you split the year between two homes, ask for a copy of your records and prescription so your doctor back home sees the full picture.

Our office is in Pinellas Plaza on Burnsed Blvd, in the Winn-Dixie shopping center near Powell Road. Because the location is golf-cart friendly, many patients arrive that way.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with your eye doctor about your own eyes.

Ready for your visit? Request an Appointment or Call (352) 399-5412.

Write the date of your last exam on your calendar or phone. Then you may be surprised by how long it has been.