Eye Exam Specialist

How often are comprehensive eye exams needed?

The American Optometric Association recommends different frequencies of eye exam visits based on age and eye health. For patients ages 18-64 who have healthy eyes, a minimum of one eye exam every two years is recommended. At age 65, patients with healthy eyes should start annual eye exams.

For all adult patients ages 18 and older who have eye problems or are at risk for eye problems, eye exams should occur annually or as recommended by an eye care professional. The optometrists at Antelope Valley Optometric Center customize an eye exam schedule according to each person’s different needs.

For children under age 18, the recommended exam schedule for healthy patients without eye issues is:

• First eye exam at 6-12 months old
• A minimum of one exam between age 3-5
• One eye exam before starting first grade
• Annual exams after that until age 18

Antelope Valley Optometric Center specializes in pediatric eye care. If a child has eye problems or is at a high risk for problems in the future, their optometrist may recommend more frequent visits.

What happens during an eye exam?

The optometrists at Antelope Valley Optometric Center review the patient’s medical history, emphasizing their vision history, at the start of an eye exam.

Next, they check eye function, which includes an eye muscle movement test and light test, and also check eye health, which includes examining the cornea, lens, iris, and all other parts of both eyes.

Usually, eye exams include eye dilation so the optometrist can examine eye structure in detail. With dilation, the optometrists at Antelope Valley Optometric Center can view the retina, blood vessels, and fluid in the eyes, as well as a portion of the optic nerve.

Finally, they perform a visual acuity check and then determine the right prescription if corrective eyewear is necessary.

How does an optometrist determine the correct prescription?

After a visual acuity check, which is usually done with an eye chart, the optometrist knows where to start with determining the correct prescription. They may have the patient view a chart through a series of lenses to determine the best prescription for their corrective eyewear.

This process is repeated for each eye separately as different prescriptions may be needed for the eyes. Once the correct prescription is determined, there are a wide range of contact lenses and eyeglasses on-site at Antelope Valley Optometric Center to choose from.

Schedule an eye exam with the experts at Antelope Valley Optometric Center using the online booking feature or by calling the office directly today.