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The AOA provides recommendations to which many optometrists around the nation adhere. They recommend eye exam frequency based on age:
- birth to two years – at six months of age;
- two to five years – at three years old, children who wear glasses or contacts should receive an eye exam every year;
- six to 18 – before first grade and then every two years thereafter;
- 18 to 60 – every two years, if you wear glass or contacts, you'll want to get an exam every year, though; and
- age 61 and older – every year.
When More Frequent Eye Exams Are Advisable
If a child is at risk for eye disease, an optometrist generally will recommend more frequent eye exams.
Risk factors that would necessitate a higher frequency of eye exams:
- premature birth or low birth weight;
- mother who was infected with rubella, venereal disease, herpes or HIV when she gave birth;
- certain developmental delays;
- a family history of eye disease;
- crossed eyes; and
- other conditions or diseases.