Eye care basics
How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam? An Adult Schedule by Age
The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises a baseline eye exam by age 40, and an exam every one to two years after 65. People with diabetes need a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Glaucoma and early diabetic eye damage often cause no symptoms, so exams catch what you cannot feel. No supplement replaces one.
Written by the Zeaxan editorial teamUpdated · 8 min read
The short answer
How often do adults need an eye exam?
Get a baseline eye exam by age 40, then follow the schedule your eye doctor sets. After 65, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises an exam every one to two years (AAO, 2021).
Some people need exams more often. Diabetes, a family history of eye disease and some backgrounds raise the risk of conditions that start quietly (NEI, glaucoma) (NEI, diabetic eye).
At a glance
What is the eye exam schedule by age?
The table puts the advice from U.S. eye institutes in age order. Where a source sets no timing, it says so, and your eye doctor fills the gap.
| Age or group | What the sources say | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| By 40 | Have a baseline eye exam (AAO, 2021) | Gives a starting record to compare later exams with |
| Over 40, African American or Hispanic/Latino | Higher glaucoma risk (NEI, glaucoma) | Glaucoma often has no early symptoms |
| Over 55 | AMD becomes more common (MedlinePlus, 2025) | It occurs mostly in people 75 or older |
| Over 60 | Higher glaucoma risk for everyone (NEI, glaucoma) | AMD is a leading cause of vision loss at this age (MedlinePlus, 2024) |
| Over 65 | An exam every 1-2 years (AAO, 2021) | AMD, glaucoma and cataracts all grow more common with age |
| 80 and older | Over half have cataracts or have had surgery (NEI, cataracts) | Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract |
| Diabetes, any age | A dilated exam at least once a year (NEI, diabetic eye) | Early damage usually has no symptoms or pain |
Decade by decade
What changes in your eyes as you get older?
The risk of several eye diseases climbs with age. Most of them start without pain, which is why the schedule tightens after 60.
- 40s
Baseline exam. Glaucoma risk rises for African American and Hispanic/Latino adults (AAO, 2021) (NEI, glaucoma).
- 55 and up
AMD becomes more common, with smoking and family history adding risk (MedlinePlus, 2025).
- 60s
Glaucoma risk rises for all adults (NEI, glaucoma).
- 65 and up
Exams every one to two years (AAO, 2021).
- 80 and up
Cataracts are present or treated in more than half of people (NEI, cataracts).
Quiet conditions
Why get an eye exam if you can see fine?
Because the most serious eye diseases often start with no symptoms. About half of people with glaucoma do not know they have it (NEI, glaucoma).
Diabetic eye damage usually causes no pain or symptoms early on (NEI, diabetic eye), and it is the leading cause of blindness in working-age American adults (CDC, 2024). AMD is painless too (MedlinePlus, 2024). An exam can find these changes before you notice them.
- Glaucoma: damages the optic nerve, often silently (NEI, glaucoma)
- AMD: affects sharp central vision (MedlinePlus, 2024)
- Diabetic retinopathy: damages blood vessels in the eye (NEI, diabetic eye)
Where pills fit
Can an eye vitamin take the place of an eye exam?
No. Regular exams sit at the top of the evidence; eye vitamins for people without AMD sit near the bottom.
Regular eye exams
StrongA baseline exam by age 40 and every 1-2 years after 65 catches problems such as glaucoma, which often has no early symptoms. (AAO, 2021) (NEI, glaucoma)
Not smoking
StrongSmokers are about twice as likely to get AMD as nonsmokers. (AAO, 2021)
Yearly dilated exam if you have diabetes
StrongDiabetic eye damage usually has no symptoms early on. (NEI, diabetic eye)
AREDS2 formula, if you already have intermediate AMD
StrongLowered the risk of advanced AMD by about 25% over 5 years in people with intermediate or late AMD. (NEI, AREDS2) (Cochrane, 2023)
20-20-20 screen breaks
Helps comfortEvery 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Eases tired eyes; strain causes no lasting damage. (AAO, eye strain)
Leafy greens and eggs
Food firstFood gives about 1-2 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin a day; no official daily target exists. (Wilson et al., 2021)
Eye vitamins if you do not have AMD
No benefitSupplements cannot prevent AMD, and AREDS showed no benefit without AMD or with early AMD. (NEI, 2020) (Cochrane, 2017)
Bilberry for night vision
Not supportedThe most rigorous trials found no improvement in normal night vision. (Canter and Ernst, 2004) (NCCIH, bilberry)
Zeaxan itself
No trialsNo published trial has tested this blend, and its amounts are not published. (FTC, 2022)
Bar length shows how much published evidence supports each option for keeping your eyes healthy, based on the eye institutes, reviews and studies linked here. A reading aid, not a score from any one source.
Zeaxan is a dietary supplement, and no trial has tested it. If you choose to take it, keep every exam on the schedule. Read who Zeaxan is for and, if your eye doctor mentions AMD, what AREDS2 means.
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When do you need an eye doctor the same day?
Call an ophthalmologist right away for sudden flashes of light, many new floaters at once, a shadow in your side vision or a gray curtain over part of your vision. A detached retina must be examined right away, because delay can mean permanent vision loss (AAO, retina).
Before you go
How do you get ready for an eye exam?
Bring a list of your medicines and supplements, and know your family's eye history. Both change what your eye doctor looks for.
List every pill
Include vitamins and herbs, such as an eye supplement (NCCIH, 2019).
Ask your family
A close relative with AMD or glaucoma raises your risk (AAO, 2021) (NEI, glaucoma).
Note your symptoms
Write down dryness, blur or trouble with screens. See screen eye strain.
Mention diabetes or smoking
Both shape how often you should come back (NEI, diabetic eye) (AAO, 2021).
If sight has changed
What help is there if vision loss has already happened?
Help exists. Low vision cannot be fixed with glasses, contacts, medicine or surgery, but vision aids, vision rehabilitation, brighter lighting and magnifiers can make daily tasks easier (NEI, low vision).
Ask your eye doctor for a low vision referral. More in our eye health guide.
FAQ
Eye exam schedule questions
At what age should you get a baseline eye exam?
By age 40, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO, 2021). The baseline gives your eye doctor a record to compare future exams against. Go sooner if you have diabetes, a family history of eye disease, or any change in your vision.
How often should you get your eyes checked after 65?
Every one to two years, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises (AAO, 2021). Your eye doctor may want you back sooner if you have AMD, glaucoma, cataracts or diabetes. Keep the schedule even if your vision seems fine, because many changes cause no symptoms.
How often should people with diabetes get a dilated eye exam?
At least once a year (NEI, diabetic eye). Diabetic retinopathy usually has no symptoms or pain early on, and it is the leading cause of blindness in working-age American adults (CDC, 2024). Book it even if your sight seems fine.
Can you have glaucoma and not know it?
Yes. Glaucoma frequently starts without early symptoms, and NEI estimates about half of the people who have it are unaware (NEI, glaucoma). It damages the optic nerve and can cause blindness, which is why regular exams matter more than how your eyes feel day to day.
Who is at higher risk for glaucoma?
People over 60, African American or Hispanic/Latino adults over 40, and anyone with a family history of glaucoma, according to NEI (NEI, glaucoma). If you are in one of these groups, ask your eye doctor how often you should be checked.
Does taking an eye supplement mean I can skip eye exams?
No. A supplement cannot find glaucoma, diabetic eye damage or AMD, and NEI says supplements cannot prevent AMD in people who do not have it (NEI, 2020). Keep your exam schedule whether or not you take Zeaxan or any other eye vitamin.
What should I bring to an eye exam?
Bring your glasses or contacts, a list of all medicines and supplements, and your family's eye history. Tell the eye doctor about every supplement, including eye vitamins (NCCIH, 2019). Note any symptoms, such as dryness or blur, and when they happen.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Plain-language pages built from the bottle label and linked medical sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by an authorized U.S. retailer, not by the manufacturer. We are paid a commission when you buy through our order links.
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