Why Everyone Over 40 Should Have a Regular Eye Check-Up

“But I can see perfectly well” is the reason most people give for skipping an eye check. It is also the very reason regular examinations matter so much after 40. The conditions that threaten adult sight often begin with perfect vision and no symptoms at all.

What can hide behind good vision

Several important conditions develop quietly:

• Glaucoma damages the optic nerve painlessly, taking side vision first, so you may not notice until a good deal is gone. More on glaucoma here.
• Diabetic retinopathy can be advancing at the back of the eye while your vision feels entirely normal.
• Early macular changes can begin subtly, before central vision is affected.
• Cataract develops gradually, and a check simply helps you plan ahead rather than panic.

A routine examination is designed to catch every one of these at the silent, treatable stage.

The eye as a window to your health

An eye examination does more than check your eyes. Because we can look directly at the blood vessels and nerves at the back of the eye, a check-up sometimes offers the first clue to diabetes or high blood pressure, now and then before either has been diagnosed elsewhere.

How often?

As a general guide for adults with no particular problems:

• Ages 40 to 60: every one to two years.
• Over 60: every year.
• Sooner and more often if you have diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, high spectacle numbers, or any new symptoms.

Your eye doctor will tailor this to you. You can read about our comprehensive eye examination here.

Good vision, remember, is not the same thing as healthy eyes. A regular check is how you keep the two together. If it has been more than a couple of years, or you have never had a proper adult eye check, this is a good moment to book one.

This article is general information, not a substitute for a personal consultation. If you have concerns about your eyes, please get in touch.