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Eye Exam
Andrea Feucht, 17 Jul 2026

Is It Time for Your Next Eye Exam?

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There’s a lot more to your eye health than simply thinking you can see well. When deciding if it’s time to schedule your next eye exam, there are a few things to consider.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends comprehensive, in-person eye exams for all individuals. Examination frequencies vary depending on age and risk factors (such as diabetes, family history, high blood pressure), with higher-risk patients requiring more frequent evaluations. However, there are signs that indicate you should schedule an eye exam sooner rather than later.

Here are 7 Signs That You Should Get an Eye Exam Soon

1) Are you seeing spots, flashes of light, or floaters? The appearance of floaters or what seem like flashes of light can be alarming, and their causes can be either mild or serious. It’s important to check with your eye doctor to determine the cause, especially if any symptom has appeared suddenly.

2) You have diabetes or another health condition that affects your eyes. Also, if you have a family history of conditions like diabetes or glaucoma, you may need exams more often, especially as you move into your 50s and beyond. Your optometrist will tell you if you need to have more frequent eye exams due to any of these situations.

3) You have difficulty driving at night and seeing street signs in the dark. Driving at night is naturally more challenging than during the day, but if you’re really working hard to make out signs or you see halos around lights, it’s time to consult your optometrist. They can check for cataracts and other underlying issues that contribute to nyctalopia, or “night blindness.”

4) You experience digital eye strain, headaches and/or blurred vision after spending a long time in front of a computer screen. With an eye exam, the optometrist can recommend changes to your prescription lenses, your lighting, or even your habits with computer screen use.

5) You get motion sick, dizzy, or have frequent headaches. If your eyes are having trouble focusing, it can put strain on your eye muscles, which can show up as dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision.

6) You hold reading materials farther away from your face and squint or close one eye to read them clearly. This is a common occurrence in adults over 40 and is called presbyopia. It simply means you could benefit from reading glasses, or an adjustment to current prescription lenses to add near-vision correction.

7) You notice any changes in your vision, especially after an incident of head trauma. After any impact to your head, your vision can be affected, and it is important to have an eye exam to protect your vision health and help to address any symptoms like double vision or even loss of sight.

Schedule Your Next Eye Exam Today

Ideally, you don't wait until you experience any of these eye problems or issues before you schedule an eye exam. However, if anything on this list of seven signs applies to you, take the time to schedule an eye exam appointment with a VSP® network eye doctor. If you don’t have vision insurance to help you save on your eye exam, compare VSP Individual Vision Plan options. You can enroll in a new plan at almost any time and start using your vision insurance the same day.

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

Reviewed by Michelle Cooper, O.D.

Is It Time for Your Next Eye Exam?

Michelle Cooper, OD, has been in solo private practice in Greenville, SC for over 30 years. She focuses on comprehensive eye care including managing ocular diseases, treating dry eye, fitting contact lenses, and helping patients with personalized solutions to their eye and vision issues.

In addition to full-time clinical practice, Dr. Cooper is a VSP Vision Care Provider and a VSP Vision Ambassador where she works with other doctors to improve access to eye care and raise awareness of the importance of eye health. Her passion is treating each of her patients as a unique individual and maintaining a warm and family-oriented atmosphere in her clinic.