Routine eye exams

How often to have an eye exam

NHS-style guidance recommends regular checks even when vision feels fine, because glaucoma and diabetic eye disease often have no early symptoms.

• Adults under 40 with no symptoms: every two years if advised by your clinician
• Adults over 40, or with glasses, diabetes or family eye disease: often yearly
• Children: vision screening around age 4 to 5, and a full test if squint or poor vision is suspected
• Contact lens wearers: annual checks as a minimum

What happens at a routine exam

A standard eye test checks both how clearly you see and the health of the eyes.

• History: your symptoms, general health, medicines and family eye history
• Vision test: reading letters or shapes at a distance and near
• Refraction: working out whether glasses or a new prescription are needed
• Eye pressure check: a quick test for glaucoma risk
• Front and back of eye examination: often with drops to widen pupils in a full exam

Optician versus ophthalmologist

An optometrist (optician) is your first port of call for sight tests, glasses, contact lenses and detecting common eye problems. An ophthalmologist is a medically trained eye doctor who diagnoses and treats eye disease, prescribes specialist medicines and performs surgery. You are usually referred to an ophthalmologist if a sight test finds worrying signs.

When to book sooner

Do not wait for a routine appointment if you have sudden vision loss, new flashes and floaters, eye pain, an injury or a red painful eye. These need same-day assessment.