Medically reviewed by SEI Medical Staff | Published on Feb. 4, 2025
Caring for your eyes is an important part of overall wellness, but only about half of Americans get vision exams every year. Even if you don’t need glasses, seeing an eye doctor regularly should be part of your healthcare routine. Comprehensive eye exams are the best way to detect serious disease in the body and other potential pathologies early and prevent future vision loss.
Here’s how to take care of your eyes at every age.
20s & 30s
If you’re in your 20s and don’t need glasses, you’re probably used to breezing through the eye exam when renewing your driver’s license and not stressing about your vision. That’s an enviable position to be in, and you should enjoy it!
However, even if your vision doesn’t require correction, you should pay attention to your overall eye health. The American Optometric Association recommends that adults between the ages of 18 and 39 get eye exams at least every two years. These routine visits allow your eye doctor to track your eye health and identify any changes in your vision.
This is also a time to be mindful of preventive measures to protect your eyes from daily risks.
- Eye protection: Wear proper eye protection if you work in environments where you may be exposed to debris or harmful substances. Protective eyewear is also important if you take part in sports like martial arts or other full-contact activities.
- Sun protection: Sunglasses with broad UV protection are a good way to shield your eyes from excessive sun exposure, which can increase the risk of cataracts and certain types of cancer.
- Safe screen time: Avoid digital eye strain by giving yourself plenty of breaks from computers and handheld devices.
- Healthy foods: Diet can affect eye health, so you may want to consider incorporating eye-friendly foods like leafy greens, omega-3 fatty acids, and lean proteins into your weekly meals.
If you do need glasses in your 20s or 30s, this might be a good time to explore vision correction surgery, such as LASIK. LASIK can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. Ask your eye doctor if you are a good candidate for LASIK or other laser vision correction procedures.
40s & 50s
In your 40s and 50s, you may notice vision changes for the first time, especially with your close-up vision. This is because the natural lens of the eye becomes less flexible over time, leading to presbyopia or age-related farsightedness. You may have difficulty focusing on nearby objects and find yourself holding items at arm’s length to see them clearly. Reading glasses will help with presbyopia. Your eye doctor can determine the right prescription to give you clear, sharp vision for activities like using your phone or computer.
You should also continue to have regular annual eye exams. The risk of conditions like glaucoma rises after the age of 40, and early detection and treatment are crucial for preventing vision loss in the future. If you have diabetes, it’s especially important to have yearly medical eye screenings for diabetic retinopathy. Conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy often develop without noticeable symptoms, so you might not realize something is wrong. Routine comprehensive eye exams can identify signs of disease, allowing you to begin treatment before you have any vision changes.
You may also experience intermittent episodes where your eyes feel dry, particularly during allergy season or after spending a lot of time looking at computers or phones.
Dry eye can make you more susceptible to eye injuries or infections, so you should ask your eye doctor about how to manage dry eye symptoms. Using eye drops, staying hydrated, and taking regular breaks from screens can all help alleviate dry eye symptoms.
60s and Beyond
Regular comprehensive medical eye exams remain the best way to protect your vision as you age. Continue to get checked for diabetic eye disease and glaucoma and get your prescription for glasses or contacts updated as needed.
You should also discuss your risk of macular degeneration with your eye doctor. This condition affects the retina and can lead to partial vision loss in the central field of vision. You may be at risk for macular degeneration if you have a family history of the condition. Your eye doctor may be able to recommend dietary supplements to help reduce this risk. There are also advanced treatments available for Wet AMD to protect your vision if you develop age-related macular degeneration.
Cataracts are another common condition that affects vision in older adults. They occur when cloudy patches develop on the natural lens of the eye, causing difficulty seeing in low light, problems with driving, and challenges with daily tasks. Cataract surgery can correct these vision issues, and it’s typically covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare. Your eye doctor can provide more information about cataract surgery during your appointment.
Changes to your face and skin can also have unexpected effects on your vision. Loss of elasticity may lead to skin laxity around the eyes, including drooping eyelids, which can limit your field of vision in one or both eyes. Eyelid surgery can remove excess skin and reduce drooping without dramatically changing your appearance.
You may also benefit from a Botox brow lift. Injectable Botox temporarily relaxes facial muscles, resulting in a mild lift of the brows and eyelids. Your eye doctor can help you determine the best solution for cosmetic changes that affect your vision.
Are you ready to prioritize your eye health with a comprehensive eye exam?
Vantage Eye Center is the Central Coast’s leading eye care facility, with locations in Monterey and Salinas, California. The medical team at Vantage Eye Center offers comprehensive eye care for all ages. Call us to speak with a member of our medical staff today. Or use our online appointment form to request an appointment.