Do You Really Need a Regular Eye Check-Up?

Most​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ people go to an eye doctor only when their vision is blurred or when their headaches become unbearable. Until then, "I can see fine" seems to be enough. The fact is that many serious eye diseases develop silently, and initially, there is no pain or blurred vision. Your eyes can be damaged by glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or early-stage cataract without you making any connection to it.

This is the point where the importance of regular eye check-ups becomes evident. They are not only about changing your glasses prescription - they represent a complete health check for your eyes and, sometimes, even a glimpse of your overall ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌health.

Regular Eye Checkup

What Is a Regular Eye Check-Up?

Simply​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ put, a quick “power check” at a store should not be confused with a proper eye exam that generally includes:

  • Determining how well you see at a distance and close up;
  • Finding the best glasses or contact lens prescription;
  • Measuring eye pressure, eye alignment, and muscle balance;
  • Examining the front part of the eye (cornea, lens, conjunctiva);
  • Examining the retina and the optic nerve at the back of the eye;

With the help of these examinations, the doctors are not only able to locate refractive errors (like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism), but also the very first stages of eye diseases and even some general health ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌issues.


Why Regular Eye Check-Ups Are Important

Eyes rarely shout in the early stages of disease – they whisper. Regular exams help you catch these whispers before they cause permanent damage.

Importance Of Regular Eye Check Ups

Some key benefits:

  • On time changing of your glasses or contact lenses to relieve strain, headaches, and bad performance at work or school
  • Keeping the effects of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism on the eyes under control
  • Finding problems such as squint, lazy eye, or high numbers early in children, at the time when treatment is most ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌effective

In many cases, vision loss from late-detected disease cannot be reversed – but regular check-ups can prevent it from happening in the first place.


How Often Should You Get Your Eyes Checked?

There is no one rule for everyone, but experts give some general timelines:

First Eye Checkup
  • Children:​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ The very first eye check is recommended around 6 months (usually done during a paediatric check), then at 3 years and subsequently regularly during the school years, normally every 1–2 years or as advised.
  • Adults (18–39 years): An eye test is required every year if you are asymptomatic and have no known eye problems. In case you wear glasses, contacts, or have a family history of eye disease, you should have your eyes checked more frequently, i.e., every 6 months.
  • Age 40–64 years: Not less than every 6 months. This is the age when glaucoma, cataract, and retinal diseases become the most common causes of the situation; most of the time, these conditions are without early symptoms.
  • From 65 years of age: Generally, it is better to visit an eye specialist every 6 months or as your eye doctor ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌prescribes, for eye care in old age people.

What Happens During a Regular Eye Check-Up?

A​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ main thorough eye test at a specialty eye centre usually goes through different phases, and it is a painless and fast procedure:

  • Medical​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ history: The doctor will ask about your vision, symptoms (for example, headache, redness, dryness, floaters), your overall health, and any medicines that you might be taking.
  • Visual refraction: Your distance and near vision will be tested, and your exact lens power will be determined.

Signs You Should Not Wait for Your “Next Routine” Visit

Besides​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ your regular check-ups, it would be better if you can see an eye specialist immediately when you find:

  • Blurred vision continues to persist
  • Seeing a double or distorted image of objects
  • More frequent headaches
  • Redness, pain, or sensitivity to light
  • New floaters, flashes of light, or discharge
  • Abrupt blindness of one or both eyes
Eye Problems Can Be Detected In Checkup

These are some of the indicators of very urgent situations, for instance, acute glaucoma, retinal detachment, corneal infection, or uveitis, which require immediate ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌attention.


FAQs About Regular Eye Check-Up

  • 01.What is the frequency of a regular eye check-up?

    Most of the adults are expected to take an exam once or twice a year, but regular check-ups are supposed to be conducted for children, seniors, and diabetes or eye problems.

  • 02.What occurs during a check-up of the eyes?

    Doctors check the vision, measure the level of eye pressure, check the back and front of the eye, and detect early illnesses with the help of specialised diagnostic tests, depending on the need.

  • 03.What is the reason why normal eye check-ups are necessary despite my vision appearing to be all right?

    Eye disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are diverse and have no symptoms at an early stage and thus, regular inspection of the eye enables detection of the condition before the eye is permanently damaged.

  • 04.Is a routine checkup of the eye optic able to identify overall health issues?

    It is true, when using the general check-up of the eye system, eye doctors can diagnose such early signs of diabetes, hypertension, thyroid problems, and other diseases that can affect the system.

  • 05.What is the change between a good eye examination and a basic strength test?

    A power examination is done to check only the lens number; a thorough test is done to check the eye structures, pressure, retina, and early signs of disease to confirm that the eye is perfectly healthy.


Regular Check-Ups at Save Sight Centre, Delhi

Save Sight Centre in Delhi is an NABH and ISO certified eye care hospital that takes care of patients of all ages and both routine and advanced eye care. Here, regular eye check-ups are conducted by senior ophthalmologists using the latest equipment and supported by subspecialty medical care for cataracts, retina, glaucoma, cornea, paediatric eye care, and more.

The team, along with the power and health of the eyes, also does early detection of diseases related to diabetes, hypertension, and other systemic conditions during the check-up. If any issue is found, you will receive proper instructions on the subsequent steps, i.e, whether it is simple glasses, medicines, laser, or surgery.

If you keep away from an eye exam for a long time – or if you feel eye strain, blur, or get headaches – then it is the right moment to arrange a regular eye check-up and let your eyes have the same care as you do for your heart, teeth or general health. Booking an appointment can be done via a phone call to the centre or by using the online appointment page on the Save Sight Centre ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌website.