Our wellness advice is expert-vetted. Our top picks are based on our editors’ independent research, analysis, and hands-on testing. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Our Vision can slowly degrade without us even noticing it. Eye exams are the only way to correct vision issues and diagnose eye-related diseases. Our brains are really good at adapting to gradual vision changes. You might not even notice that you're squinting to read things until suffering from a nasty case of eye strain. Eye exams aren't only to determine the quality of your vision. They're also essential for checking up on your eye health. Optometrists and ophthalmologists address overall eye health and screen for eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and rare cancers like ocular melanoma. Let's dig into what an exam is, what it does and how often you need one. There are two main functions of an eye exam -- assessing your vision and checking for diseases. Let's talk about why each is needed. A comprehensive eye exam typically includes a visual acuity test and a refraction eye exam. The visual acuity test examines your vision for each eye. It's the one everyone knows -- your doctor will ask you to cover one eye and read the letters on the screen. A refraction eye exam involves looking through a machine with several lens options you compare. This is how your doctor determines your prescription. Regular eye exams help track your vision over time. As we age, our eyes change, which affects vision. Presbyopia is the natural loss of flexibility of the lens of the eye. This condition makes it harder to focus on close objects -- like books and computers. Many people see this decrease in their vision in their mid-forties. Even if you don't need glasses to function, you should still keep up with regular eye examinations. Not only are they a chance to assess your eye health and risk of diseases like macular degeneration or cataracts, but they ensure you get the treatment you need early before your vision is compromised. Your doctor will assess your risk of common eye problems through pupil dilation. Think of your pupil as the window into your eye; by making the pupil bigger, your doctor can see into the structures of the eye.  Eye diseases can have few or no symptoms. Eye exams and dilations are the best way to catch issues and form a treatment plan. Eye diseases and conditions your doctor may check for:Medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can affect how well you see and increase your risk for eye diseases. So it's important to schedule a regular eye exam to ensure you're doing the right things for your vision. Some medications also affect the eyes. By now, you probably know why eye exams are important. But how often should you be scheduling one? Several factors determine how often you should get an eye exam -- age, health and family history. The general guidelines for eye exams, according to the American Optometric Association, are as follows: If you fall into any of these categories but have prescription glasses, your doctor will recommend getting an annual exam, especially if you have a prescription that needs to be renewed for contacts.The same is true if you're at risk for eye diseases, are taking medications that affect your vision or have had an eye injury. Factors that require more frequent eye exams:Eye exams aren't just to correct vision with glasses, though that is the main function for many people. Eye exams are often the only way to detect and treat eye diseases and conditions that otherwise don't present symptoms. It's important to track your vision changes and catch eye troubles before they start. Adults should be getting a comprehensive eye exam at least every two years. People with risk factors for eye diseases or who wear glasses should get annual eye exams. Eye Care Dental Care Mental Health Other Personal Care