Do I need to get my eyes checked?

Ideally, one eye exam every year should help you to stay on top of your eye health, but some people might need to schedule more than one exam in a year. Vision can change quite a bit over the course of a year, especially for those over the age of 50, and it is important to know when you need to schedule an exam. 

Here are 8 signs that you should get another exam on the calendar soon: 

• Your eyes are red, dry, itchy, or you are seeing spots, flashes of light, or floaters. 

• You have diabetes or another health condition that affects your eyes. Also, if you have a family history of conditions like diabetes or glaucoma you may need exams more often, especially as you move into your 50s and beyond. 

• You can't remember when you last had an eye exam. If it’s been longer than a year, you’re overdue. 

• You have difficulty driving at night and seeing street signs in the dark. 

• You experience eye strain, headaches and/or blurred vision after spending an extended amount of time in front of a computer screen. 

• You get motion sick, dizzy, or have trouble following a moving target. 

• You hold books or the newspaper further away from your face and squint or close one eye to read them clearly. 

• You notice any changes in your vision, especially after an incident of head trauma. 

Don't wait until you experience any of these 8 things before you schedule an eye exam. Keep in mind that an eye exam benefits more than just your eyes. Your eye doctor can detect a wide range of diseases like diabetes and cancer just by looking at your eyes. 

Get an exam on the calendar, and be sure to ask your eye doctor if you should schedule more than one in a year.