How to Know if You Need an Eye Exam

Caring for your eyes should be part of everyday life, and that includes an eye exam about once a year. But some signs mean you should not wait for your annual visit. Here are the ones worth watching for. 

Is trouble seeing at night a sign you need an eye exam? 

If you notice a big gap between how well you see in bright light versus low light, call your eye doctor. Some of this comes with age, and dim light can make a menu or a book harder to read, but if it comes on quickly, get checked. Losing night vision, especially while driving when you cannot make out road signs, can be an early sign of cataracts. 

Is blurry vision a sign you need an eye exam? 

Around age 40, most people start to notice presbyopia, where close-up things get a little blurry. You might squint at a menu or hold a book farther away. Reading glasses help, but it is smart to rule out anything more serious. Astigmatism can blur your vision too, and reading glasses alone will not fix it. Can you correct this on your own with focusing exercises? No. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says eye exercises will not sharpen your eyesight. 

Are halos around lights a sign of vision problems? 

If you start seeing halos or light patterns around objects during the day, book an appointment. Sudden vision changes can point to something serious, like an injury or an eye disease that could threaten your sight. Do not wait on this one, or on anything that changes your vision quickly. 

How often should you get an eye exam? 

If you cannot remember your last eye exam, it is probably time. Skipping exams carries real risks, even if you see fine. Regular exams can catch serious conditions that affect your vision and your overall health. Macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma often have no early symptoms, but an exam can spot them. Early signs of diabetes and high blood pressure can show up in an exam, too. 

Do certain health conditions mean you need exams more often? 

Some bigger health issues affect your eyes even when they seem unrelated. Diabetes is a good example, and if you do not know you have it, an eye exam might catch signs of it first. Regular exams matter even more if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or you smoke. Need one more reason to quit? According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, smokers are up to four times more likely to develop macular degeneration, which is hard to catch early. 

What are the signs of healthy vision? 

Your eye health matters. Schedule regular exams so your eye doctor can track changes in your vision and catch serious issues like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration early. 

Don't have vision insurance yet? VSP Individual Vision Plans has options for just about everyone, and you can enroll online today. Start by finding the plan that fits you. It is time to protect your eyes for a healthy future. 

Ready for the next step? Take a look around VSP Direct, compare VSP Individual Vision Plans, or let the VSP Individual Vision Plan Selector match you with a plan in a couple of minutes. You can also see everything a plan includes on the Benefits & Savings page. 

Sponsored by VSP. Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans' social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Reviewed by Chris A. Smiley, O.D.

How to Know if You Need an Eye Exam

Chris Smiley, O.D. is the owner of Vision Professionals, a multi-location private practice in Central Ohio. With more than 25 years of experience, he focuses on comprehensive eye care, early detection of eye disease, dry eye, contact lens fitting, and helping patients maintain clear, comfortable vision.

In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Smiley is a VSP Vision Care provider and serves as a VSP Vision Ambassador, where he works with other doctors to improve patient access to care and promote eye health awareness. He is passionate about helping patients understand the connection between eye health and overall health.

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