A routine eye exam is the first step in checking the health of your eyes, and they’re not only needed if you wear contact lenses or prescription glasses. Depending on your age and health status, there are various timelines when you should start going to the eye doctor. However, it is a good rule of thumb to visit the eye doctor at these intervals: For children, they should visit the eye doctor for the first time before they enter kindergarten. After that, you should follow the guidelines of your provider for frequency. For adults with no previous eye health issues or conditions, we recommend following the guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Ophthalmology which states that you should get an exam once in your 20’s and twice in your 30’s. At age 40 another complete exam should be performed and your eye doctor can advise you on how often you should be seen after this. After age 60 one should get checked every one to two years. However, it is important to remember that there are exceptions to these guidelines. For those with prescription glasses or contact lenses, it is recommended that you visit the eye doctor every year. You should also be checked more frequently if you have: A family history of eye disease or loss of visionA chronic illness that puts you at greater risk of eye disease, such as diabetes or high blood pressureMedications that may have serious eye side effectsAny ocular symptoms such as pain, redness, vision changes, or swelling It is essential that you speak with your eye doctor to determine the exact frequency of visits to meet your eye health needs..