Eye Exams
What Are Routine Eye Exams?
Anything concerning a vision checkup, screening for eye disease, or updating your eyeglasses or contact lens prescriptions is classified as a routine eye exam by insurance companies. Routine Eye Exams can also diagnose you with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Why are routine eye exams important?
Routine eye exams are crucial to maintaining healthy vision. Some eye conditions and diseases don’t show any symptoms or signs until severe damage has been done. Glaucoma is often referred to as “the silent thief of sight” because it doesn’t show any symptoms until irreversible damage has been done. The best way to stay ahead of vision-threatening diseases is to have routine eye exams to ensure no conditions or diseases progress without your knowledge.
Insurance companies define a routine eye exam as a visit to update eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions, checking vision, or screening for eye diseases. Routine eye exams can also diagnose nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. In contrast, a medical eye exam can diagnose cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, or conjunctivitis, among others. Insurance companies may either cover medical eye exams, routine eye exams, both or neither. Check with your insurance company about whether they cover routine eye exams or medical eye exams.
When should I get a routine eye exam?
When you should get a routine eye exam depends entirely on your age. Older individuals should have their eyes checked every one to two years, while younger individuals may only need their eyes checked every two to three years. However, children between the ages of 3-5 should have a comprehensive eye exam to determine any vision or eye alignment issues. Your child’s eye should also be checked before entering kindergarten to ensure that your child’s vision isn’t interfering with their learning.
