Getting an eye exam is an important part of staying healthy. But do you know when you should get an eye exam and what the exam should cover? Dr. Langkawel recommends children having their first eye exam as early as six months old. If your child is older, it’s not too late! Go ahead and get them in for their first eye exam. Having your child’s eyes checked yearly can help prevent future problems with vision and any possible eye disease.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), children generally should have their first eye exam at 6 months of age, another exam at age three and again at the start of school. Risk-free children should then continue to have their eyes examined every 1-2 years until age 18. Adults 18-60 should have a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years and every year for seniors age 61 and older.

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.