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Optical Care by Age
Eyes age along with the rest of the body and require extra care at various stages. Read on to learn what optical care should look like at different ages.
2–5 Years Old
Children should have their first eye exam when they are two years old. Having their first exam at two years of age allows for early detection and treatment of problems, injuries, and diseases before they begin more independently interacting with and learning from the world around them. It is important that children have a comprehensive eye examination before starting school to prevent learning and safety issues.
Children should have their second eye exam when they are five years old unless otherwise ordered by their doctor.
Optical Conditions
Optical conditions that can be detected in children ages 2–5 years old include the following:
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Astigmatism-Farsightedness-Nearsightedness
- Cortical Visual Impairment
- Developmental Abnormalities
- Double Vision
- Genetic Eye Disease
- Nystagmus
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
Signs of Optical Problems
At this age, children are often unaware or unable to communicate that they are experiencing vision issues. The following signs are visual cues that a child may be experiencing optical problems:
- Squinting.
- Tilting their head.
- Rubbing their eyes a lot.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Poor hand-eye coordination.
6–18 Years Old
Children over six years old without any preexisting optical conditions should have an eye examination every two years to ensure that they have not developed or sustained any problems, injuries, or diseases. Children with preexisting optical conditions should have an eye examination every year.
Signs of Optical Problems
The following signs indicate that a child 6–18 years old may be experiencing optical problems:
- Frequent fatigue or discomfort from eyestrain.
- Frequent headaches.
- Squinting.
- Tilting their head.
- Difficulty reading or remembering what they just read.
- Seeing double.
- Rubbing their eyes a lot.
19–40 Years Old
Adults under forty years old without any preexisting optical conditions should have an eye examination every two years to ensure that they have not developed or sustained any problems, injuries, or diseases. Adults with preexisting optical conditions should have an eye examination every year.
Signs of Optical Problems
The following signs indicate that an adult may be experiencing optical problems:
- Frequent fatigue or discomfort from eyestrain.
- Frequent headaches.
- Difficulty focusing.
- Itching or burning sensation in the eyes.
41–60 Years Old
Adults between forty-one and sixty years of age without any preexisting optical conditions should have an eye examination every two years to ensure that they have not developed or sustained any problems, injuries, or diseases. Adults with preexisting optical conditions should have an eye examination every year.
Optical Changes
Adults between the ages of forty-one and sixty years of age commonly notice the following optical changes:
- Difficulty seeing in low-light conditions.
- Difficulty focusing on close objects such as words on a page or a task at hand.
- Difficulty with color perception and discoloration.
- Difficulty with dry and irritated eyes due to decreased tear production.
- Increased glare from bright objects such as oncoming headlights or street lamps.
Signs of Optical Problems
The following signs indicate that an adult may be experiencing optical problems:
- Frequent fatigue or discomfort from eyestrain.
- Frequent headaches.
- Seeing floaters.
- Difficulty focusing.
- Loss of side vision.
- Seeing distorted images.
60+ Years Old
Adults sixty years old and over should have an eye examination every year, whether or not they have a preexisting optical condition, as they are at high risk for severe optical conditions that onset quickly.
Optical Conditions
Some of the most common optical conditions in adults over sixty include the following:
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Diabetic Retinopathy
Optical Care Regardless of Age
The following are best practices for individuals of all ages to keep their optical health in tip-top shape:
- Protect eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses with enhanced UV protection, applying sunscreen daily, and blocking the sun from your eyes with a hat.
- Protect eyes from blue light by wearing glasses with a special blue light filter coating, especially when using a digital device, and reducing screen time.
- Protect eyes from hazards when playing sports or doing something where objects or chemicals can reach and damage the eye.
- Regular exercise promotes blood flow throughout the body, which aids in bringing nutrients to and waste from different parts of your body.
- Get routine eye examinations to detect and treat optical problems as early as possible.
How Can We Help You?
At Advanced Eye Care Center, we offer comprehensive eye exams and procedures for children and adults to help correct vision and protect eye health. We are committed to providing individualized eye care to people from all walks of life and want you to have the best experience possible while you are at our easy-to-find, conveniently located practice.
To get started on your path to a new vision, schedule a consultation by calling (940) 240-8711 or filling out our online form. We look forward to treating you!