Eyesight testing identifies and helps track changes in your vision. Having regular eye exams is a crucial part of early diagnosis of eye conditions, appropriate vision correction, and safety when you drive or operate machinery.

When you should have you eyes tested

If you’re wondering how often you should have an eye test, the chances are it’s about time you had one!

Many of us put off having an eye test for months or years, even though we wouldn’t do the same for any other medical appointment. However, your vision is just as important as any other aspect of your health.

Whether you wear glasses or have never experienced vision correction, you likely do not think about the quality of your eyesight on a daily basis. However, most individuals experience some eyesight changes over time, even if these changes are gradual enough to be overlooked.

Eyesight testing identifies and helps track changes in your vision. Having regular eye exams is a crucial part of early diagnosis of eye conditions, appropriate vision correction, and safety when you drive or operate machinery.

Recognise the signs that you need to go for an eye test

But when do you need your eyesight tested? Schedule an appointment with one of our Optometrists when you are experiencing any of the following.

1. Changes in how well you see at night
When you drive at night, can you clearly see other cars on the road and read relevant road signs? For many adults, the first sign of a vision change is increased difficulty when driving at night.

If you see halos around lights, cannot read signs, or have trouble distinguishing objects at night, talk to one of our optometrists.

2. Being diagnosed with a health condition that affects your eyesight
Your overall health, from your nutrition to your sleep habits, can affect the way your eyes feel and function. If you were recently diagnosed with diabetes or any other condition that could affect your eyes, you will need to take particular care of your eye health. Start by discussing your diagnosis with your Optometrist and taking an eye test.

3. Are you frequently experiencing Headaches or Migraines?
Headaches can result from muscle tension, stress, and inflammation, but they can also serve as warning signs that your vision is changing. If you notice an increase in your headache frequency or intensity, book an eye test.

If you suffer from migraines, you may see auras, spots, or other vision obstructions before, during, or after an episode. Often, these vision obstructions are harmless, but in some cases, these symptoms can indicate a serious underlying condition that’s contributing to the migraines and may be affecting eye health.

4. Experiencing vision disruptions
Vision disruptions can also occur without an accompanying migraine. In addition to auras and black spots, you may notice small “floaters” that seem to move across your eyes or flashes of light.

5. Frequent Eye fatigue
Eye fatigue or strain can occur for a number of reasons, including spending a lot of time in front of a computer screen or reading. However, if your discomfort persists for three or more days, the eye strain may hint at an eye infection or condition.

6. Are you sensitive to light?
A strong sensitivity to light, especially a sensitivity that appears suddenly, can be a symptom of an eye infection or even a corneal abrasion. Have this sensitivity assessed by your Optometrist to determine the likely cause.

7. Struggling to focus?
Many eye conditions first manifest as difficulty focusing on a specific object in your field of vision or blurriness when you focus on a single object. Some individuals experience inconsistent focus issues. For example, you may only have trouble focusing in certain levels of light or the problem may move from one eye to the other. Difficulty focusing can also be linked to specific tasks such as reading small print or looking at an electronic device screen.

Remember

Even if you aren’t experiencing any of these symptoms, you should prioritize having your eyes tested at least once every two years or as frequent as your Optometrist recommends. You may need more frequent testing if you have a family history of diabetes, glaucoma, or other relevant conditions.

Don’t put off routine eye tests. Understanding the quality of your vision is an important step in finding vision correction that works for you and protecting your sight from potential damage in the future.