Whether you are young or young at heart, taking care of your eyes is important to your overall health.
Your eyes will change in size, shape and function throughout your life. It is important to have regular eye exams to watch these changes. Equally important is noticing when you, or a loved one, shows signs of vision problems.
Here are a few things to keep in mind to protect your family’s vision health at every age.
Infant: Birth to 24 Months
Did you know that your child should have an eye exam between 6 months and 1 year? These exams allow the eye doctor to check on proper eye alignment and movement, reaction to light and dark, as well as finding any signs of vision problems.
You will also want to reach out to your child’s doctor if you notice their eyes are always red, they spend a lot of time rubbing or squinting, or have any unusual movement or functionality.
Preschool: 2-6 Years
1 in 20 preschoolers have a vision problem! The American Optometric Association recommends at least one eye exam from 3-5 years of age and another one prior to starting first grade. If you notice your child closing one eye when reading or examining an object, colored matter in the pupil of the eye, or eyes that don’t work in unison, it’s time to get their eyes checked.
School Age
Your child may receive vision screenings at school, but up to 75% of school vision screenings miss vision problems. It is important that your child’s wellness routine includes an annual eye exam after age 6. Recurring headaches, tired eyes, or holding items close to read may be signs of vision problems in your school age child.
Teenagers
During puberty, your child’s eyes will go through a growth spurt. Teenagers may find their ability to see things far away (farsightedness) or up close (nearsightedness) changes. They may also experience dry eyes, digital eye strain or sports injuries. Keep their eye health a priority with eye exams each year.
Adults
It is quite possible you will have healthy eyes and good vision between the ages of 19 and 40. However, poor health, stress or eye injuries can still cause eye problems in adults. Take care of your eyes by wearing sunglasses and a hat outside, maintaining a healthy weight with smart food choices and physical activity, keeping your blood pressure normal and taking regular eye breaks from the computer. And… don’t forget those annual eye exams!
Senior
Changes in your vision are normal as you age. You might notice that it is harder to see things up close, that you have trouble telling the difference in colors like blue and black, or that your eyes take longer to adjust to changes in light. These problems can easily be treated when you visit your eye doctor regularly. Eye exams can also reveal serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Vision Insurance
Vision insurance will help you save money! Add vision coverage to your Delta Dental of Arizona Individual and Family plan or reach out to our sales or account management team to add vision coverage to your group plan.
