Do You Need an Eye Exam Every Year? What Patients Should Really Know

Many people wait until their vision feels blurry before scheduling an eye exam. While changes in prescription are one reason to visit an optometrist, they are not the only reason. A comprehensive eye exam can help detect early signs of eye conditions, monitor changes in eye health, and support clear, comfortable vision at every age.
 

For patients in Westwood and the greater Los Angeles area, yearly eye exams can be an important part of preventive care. At Dr. Martin Hyman Optometrist, we provide comprehensive eye exams to help patients stay proactive about their vision and long-term eye health.
 

Why Annual Eye Exams Are Often Recommended

A yearly eye exam gives your optometrist a chance to evaluate more than how well you read an eye chart. Your doctor can check your prescription, eye focusing, eye pressure, and the health of important structures inside the eye. This helps identify changes that may not cause obvious symptoms right away.
 

Some eye diseases develop slowly and silently. Conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic eye changes, and retinal concerns may not be noticeable in the early stages. Regular eye exams allow your optometrist to look for warning signs and recommend monitoring or treatment when needed.
 

Who Should Schedule An Eye Exam Every Year?

Not every patient has the same eye care needs. However, many adults benefit from an annual comprehensive eye exam, especially if they wear glasses or contact lenses, spend long hours on screens, or have a personal or family history of eye disease.
 

You may need an eye exam every year if you:

• Wear glasses or contact lenses
• Have diabetes, high blood pressure, or another health condition that can affect the eyes
• Experience frequent headaches, eye strain, or blurry vision
• Have a family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or other eye diseases
• Notice trouble seeing at night or while driving
• Have dry, red, irritated, or watery eyes
• Spend many hours using computers, tablets, or phones
• Are over 40 and noticing changes in near vision

If you are unsure how often to schedule an eye exam, your optometrist can recommend a schedule based on your age, health, lifestyle, and vision needs.
 

Eye Exams For Children And Teens

Children may not always know when their vision is changing. They may assume everyone sees the same way they do, or they may show signs through behavior instead of words. Squinting, sitting close to screens, losing place while reading, headaches, or avoiding schoolwork may all point to a vision concern.
 

Pediatric eye exams are important because vision plays a major role in learning, reading, sports, and development. Even if a child passes a school vision screening, a comprehensive eye exam can provide a more complete evaluation of eye health and visual function.
 

Eye Exams For Contact Lens Wearers

If you wear contact lenses, yearly visits are especially important. Contact lenses sit directly on the eye, so your optometrist needs to check your cornea, tear film, lens fit, and overall eye health. Even if your contact lenses feel comfortable, changes can happen over time.
 

A contact lens exam can help confirm that your lenses are still safe, comfortable, and clear. It can also give your doctor an opportunity to adjust your prescription or recommend a different lens type if dryness, irritation, or blurred vision becomes an issue.
 

When To Schedule An Exam Sooner

You should not wait for your next routine visit if you notice sudden or concerning symptoms. Schedule an eye exam promptly if you experience sudden blurry vision, flashes of light, new floaters, eye pain, redness, double vision, light sensitivity, or vision loss.
 

Patients in Westwood should also schedule an appointment sooner if headaches, eye strain, or screen-related discomfort begin affecting work, school, or daily tasks. Early evaluation can help determine whether the issue is related to prescription changes, dry eye, eye alignment, or another concern.
 

A Personalized Eye Exam Schedule

The best eye exam schedule depends on your individual needs. Some patients do well with annual exams, while others need more frequent monitoring due to medical conditions, eye disease risk, contact lens use, or ongoing symptoms.
 

At Dr. Martin Hyman Optometrist in Westwood, our goal is to help patients protect their vision with thorough, personalized eye care. Whether you need a routine eye exam, pediatric eye exam, contact lens exam, or evaluation for an eye concern, regular visits can help keep your vision and eye health on track.
 

Schedule your comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Martin Hyman Optometrist in Westwood, CA by calling (310) 208-3913. Visit us at 1061 Westwood Blvd, Westwood, CA 90024.