Does this image look blurry?

Is it smudged and distorted?

If so, then you definitely need an eye exam.

Seriously, studies of nursing home patients have shown that 40% of all blindness in this country could be prevented just by having routine, complete eye exams with dilation of the pupils.

For adults, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a routine eye exam, by an ophthalmologist, with dilation of the pupils every 1 to 2 years for people aged 65 or older, every 2 to 4 years for people aged 40 to 64, and at least once between the ages of 20 and 39.

The Academy also recommends that children have their vision screened before 3 months of age, between 6 months and 1 year of age, at 3 years, and at 5 years of age. These screening exams are usually done by a pediatrician, and if anything is abnormal your child should see an ophthalmologist, immediately.

THESE RECOMMENDATIONS APPLY ONLY TO PEOPLE WITH NO EYE SYMPTOMS, NO KNOWN EYE DISEASES, AND NO KNOWN RISK FACTORS FOR EYE DISEASES.

This page last updated 04/05/2001