Many people skip eye exams because they think their vision is fine. Others delay appointments because they’re not sure how often they need to go.
The right schedule depends on your age, vision needs, and health. Adults 18–64 usually need a checkup every 1–2 years. Seniors 65+ should come in yearly to watch for age-related eye problems. If you wear glasses, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease, you may need exams more often.
Why Are Eye Exams Important?
Eye exams aren’t just for finding out if you need glasses.
During an exam, we check your overall eye health. We can spot early signs of conditions like:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic eye disease
These can develop without early symptoms. Catching them early helps protect your vision.
Eye exams can also give clues about your general health. Your eyes show blood vessels, nerves, and signs of other health problems. We sometimes spot signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol issues before other doctors do.
Even if your vision feels fine, an eye exam can detect small changes that you haven’t noticed yet.
How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
The short answer: It depends on your age, vision, and health. Below is a general guideline that works for most people.
Babies and Toddlers
- First exam between 6 and 12 months old
- Again between ages 3 and 5
We check for things like lazy eye or crossed eyes early, which helps us treat them before they affect learning or development.
School-Age Children and Teens
- Once a year
As kids grow, their eyes change. Regular checks help make sure they’re seeing clearly for school, sports, and reading.
Adults Age 20 to 39
- Every 1 to 2 years
If your eyes are healthy and you don’t wear glasses, a check every 2 years is usually fine. If you do wear glasses or contacts, once a year is better.
Adults Age 40 to 64
- Every 1 to 2 years
This age group starts to face age-related changes. You might need reading glasses or have early signs of eye disease.
If you have any health conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure), come in every year or as your doctor recommends.
Seniors Age 65+
- Every year
As we get older, the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and other conditions goes up. Regular exams help us manage and treat these issues early.
Who Needs Eye Exams More Often?
Some people should have eye exams more than once a year. This includes anyone who:
- Wears glasses or contact lenses
- Has diabetes or high blood pressure
- Has a family history of eye disease
- Has had eye surgery or injuries
- Takes medicines that affect vision
- Sees floaters, flashes, or has blurry vision
- Is at higher risk based on age or ethnicity
Even if your last eye exam was recent, new symptoms mean it’s time to come back.
What Happens During an Eye Exam?
If you’ve never had an eye exam, or if it’s been a while, here’s what to expect:
- We talk with you
We ask about your vision, medical history, and any changes or concerns you’ve noticed. - Vision test
You’ll read letters on a chart so we can check how clearly you see. This tells us if you need glasses or an update to your current prescription. - Eye muscle and alignment tests
We see how well your eyes move and work together. - Pupil and nerve check
We shine a light to check your eye’s reaction and look at the back of your eye. - Pressure test for glaucoma
You may feel a gentle puff of air or a quick touch to check pressure inside the eye. - Dilation (sometimes)
We might use drops to widen your pupils. This lets us see the back of your eye better. Your vision may be blurry for a few hours after.
At Barnes Talero Eyecare, we use modern equipment to keep exams safe, fast, and easy. And we explain everything in simple terms in English or Spanish.
What About Contact Lenses?
If you wear contacts, you’ll need a contact lens exam too. This is different from a regular eye exam.
We check how the lenses fit, how your eyes react to them, and if your prescription is still right. Most people need a contact lens exam every year.
We also offer specialty lenses for people who have dry eyes, astigmatism, or hard-to-fit eyes.
Pediatric and Vision Therapy Services
Children need special care. We offer full pediatric eye exams and vision therapy for kids with:
- Lazy eye (amblyopia)
- Eye turn (strabismus)
- Reading or learning issues linked to vision
- Trouble with eye coordination or tracking
Dr. Maria Barnes has over 40 years of experience working with children and adults. She’s trained in binocular vision therapy and has helped many young patients improve their focus, reading, and confidence.
Seniors and Medical Eye Care
We help older adults manage age-related eye changes. This includes:
- Cataract checks
- Glaucoma monitoring
- Dry eye treatment
- Diabetes-related eye exams
If you’ve had eye surgery, we’ll follow up with exams to make sure your healing is on track.
We Speak Spanish – ¡Hablamos Español!
Our team is fully bilingual. Whether you speak English or Spanish, we’ll make your visit easy and comfortable.
This is one reason families across South Nashville, Antioch, Brentwood, and nearby areas choose us for their eye care.
Does Insurance Cover Eye Exams?
Most vision insurance plans cover one eye exam each year. Some also help with glasses, contacts, or follow-up care.
We accept most major plans. Just give us a call or ask at your visit, and we’ll help you check your benefits.
Even if you don’t have insurance, don’t worry, we’ll explain your options and make sure care is affordable.
When Should You Call Right Away?
Some signs mean you shouldn’t wait for your next regular exam. Call us if you notice:
- Sudden changes in vision
- Flashes or floaters
- Eye pain or pressure
- Trouble seeing at night
- Red, dry, or itchy eyes
- Trouble reading or focusing
These can be early signs of eye disease or other problems. It’s always better to check early.
FAQs
How often do I need an eye exam if I wear glasses?
Usually once a year, or sooner if you notice changes.
What’s the best age for a child’s first exam?
Between 6 and 12 months old, then again before kindergarten.
Do you offer exams in Spanish?
Yes, our team is fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
I have diabetes. Do I need more exams?
Yes. People with diabetes should have a full eye exam every year.
Are you open to walk-ins?
We recommend appointments, but call us, we’ll always try to help.
Book Your Eye Exam Today
Your eyes help you enjoy life, work, and connect with others. Keeping them healthy is easy with regular exams.
At Barnes Talero Eyecare, we care for patients of all ages. Whether it’s your child’s first exam, your annual check-up, or you need help with a specific problem, we’re here for you.
We offer gentle, clear, bilingual care in a relaxed setting. And we’re proud to be an independent, locally-owned practice that puts patients first.
📍 390 Harding Place, Suite 104, Nashville, TN 37211
📞 Call (615) 485-6251
