Taking Care of Your Eyes at Ages 55-64 by Jeffrey Tran, M.D.

At each stage of your life, you need different types and frequency of eye examinations and care. In many cases, vision that is lost cannot be recovered, so the best option is to catch and treat eye disease before it affects your vision. Your eyes will reward you with a lifetime of excellent sight if you provide them the care they need.

How Often You Need Eye Exams

If you are between the ages of 55 and 64, you do not have any symptoms of eye disease, and you are seeing clearly, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the doctors at the Marietta Eye Clinic recommend that you have a comprehensive eye examination at least every 1 to 3 years. Comprehensive eye exams involve more than checking your vision for glasses and contacts. Optometrists and ophthalmologists conduct comprehensive eye examinations to check for damage from health conditions such as diabetes and to check for eye diseases that can lead to blindness, such as glaucoma and cataracts.

When to Get Eye Exams More Often

Eye exams help you and your ophthalmologist detect problems at their earliest stage possible, when they are the most treatable. Your health situation is unique to you, and the same goes for your eye health. A variety of factors may affect your eye health. Regular comprehensive exams help you work with your eye doctor to meet your individual ocular health needs and help your doctor know how to guide you in maintaining great eye health and clear vision.

See Dr. Tran’s Full Bio Here

You may not notice symptoms of some eye diseases until the disease is advanced. The more advanced an eye disease is, the more challenging it can be to slow progression or prevent permanent visual damage. The guidelines above apply to individuals ages 55 to 64 who present no symptoms or disease risk factors. A major risk factor for serious eye disease is diabetes. Any family history of major disease or eye disease is another reason to have more frequent eye exams.

Here are a few big reasons to increase the frequency of eye exams from every 1 to 3 years from ages 55 to 64:

• You wear glasses or contact lenses.
• You have a family history of eye disease or loss of vision.
• You have a chronic disease that puts you at greater risk of eye disease, such as diabetes.
• You take medications that may have serious eye-related side effects, such as prednisone or plaquenil.

Routine eye exams have been proven to help combat eye disease, visual impairment, and total blindness. Keep in mind the guidance above and reach out to your local optometrist or ophthalmologist more frequently if you are at a higher risk of developing disease, if you have personal history of visual issues or disease, or if your family has a history of eye disease. It may save your vision.

More About Jeffrey Tran, M.D.

Dr. Tran is a comprehensive ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon at the Marietta Eye Clinic. Dr. Tran earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine and completed a residency at Cullen Eye Institute at the Baylor College of Medicine. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American College of Physicians, and the American Medical Association. Read more about Dr. Tran here.

References and Additional Resources

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. It describes itself as a “global community of 32,000 medical doctors who protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public.” Its website is a great resource to learn more about how to care for your eyes.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) describes itself as the leading authority on quality care and an advocate for our nation’s health, representing more than 44,000 doctors of optometry (O.D.), optometric professionals, and optometry students. 

Eye Exam

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/eye-exam/about/pac-20384655

Eye Exam and Vision Testing Basics

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-exams-101

Frequency of Ocular Examinations – 2015

https://www.aao.org/clinical-statement/frequency-of-ocular-examinations