When should you get your eyes checked? Signs, timing & expert guide
Key takeaways
- Most Australians should have an eye test every 1 to 2 years, or more often if your optometrist recommends it.
- Symptoms like blurry vision, headaches, eye strain, and dry eyes are all signs you should act on.
- Even when your vision seems fine, regular eye check-ups can detect silent conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration before they affect your sight.
When did you last get your eyes checked? If you can’t remember, you’re not alone. Over 13 million Australians live with long-term eye conditions, yet many skip regular eye exams.
At Vision Camberwell Optometrists, we recommend eye tests every 1–2 years, or more often on the advice of an optometrist. Beyond keeping your vision clear, routine check-ups are an important part of long-term health. Here’s what to know.
How often should you get your eyes checked: age-based guidelines
Unless your optometrist advises otherwise, these are general Australian guidelines for eye exam frequency by age group.
| Age group | Recommended frequency |
| Children | Every 1–2 years |
| Adults (18–39) | Every 2 years |
| Adults (over 40) | Every 1–2 years, depending on risk factors |
| Seniors (65+) | Every 1–2 years |
| High-risk groups | Annually, or as directed by your optometrist |
These intervals may vary depending on your individual risk profile, lifestyle, and family history.
Eye exam recommendations for different groups in Australia
Eye tests for children and students
Clear vision plays a direct role in learning. Conditions like myopia in children can affect reading, concentration, and classroom participation. Children should have a comprehensive eye health check around age three, before starting school.
In Melbourne, the Glasses for Kids screening program can flag concerns for children up to grade 3, but school screenings alone are no substitute for a full eye examination. Regular check-ups become even more important as children grow.
Eye check-ups for working adults
In our practice, we see many patients who spend 6 to 7 hours a day in front of screens. Extended screen time is a major driver of eye strain symptoms, fatigue, and headaches in working-age adults. Stable vision is also essential for driving safely, so any changes to clarity or night vision are worth investigating.
Eye exams for seniors
As we age, the risk of developing serious eye conditions increases. Cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration tend to progress gradually, often without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Regular monitoring by an optometrist gives the best chance of catching these conditions early.
How your age affects your eye health
Children and vision development
Myopia in children is on the rise, already affecting around 36% of Australian children. Eye tests for kids help catch vision issues early, supporting healthy development and reducing long-term complications.
Adults (18–40): screen use and eye strain
Extended screen time and blue light exposure can cause strain, fatigue, discomfort, and dry eye disease even when your overall vision seems normal.
Over 40: age-related vision changes
This is when age-related changes typically begin. Presbyopia is a common condition where the eyes gradually lose the ability to focus up close. Our optometrists screen for it so it can be managed before it significantly affects daily life.
Seniors (65+): higher disease risk
Cataracts and macular degeneration become more common with age, and both can progress gradually without early warning signs.
When to book an eye test based on your situation
Age isn’t the only factor worth considering. Your lifestyle and health history matter too.
If you have no symptoms
Routine eye check-ups every two years are generally enough to maintain eye health and detect silent conditions that don’t yet show visible symptoms but can be identified through diagnostic imaging.
If you notice vision changes
Any changes – blurry vision, difficulty focusing, or reduced clarity – should be assessed without delay.
If you work on screens all day
Long hours on screens and digital devices are a common cause of digital eye strain. Regular check-ups are worthwhile for anyone with significant daily screen exposure.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses
For anyone using prescription glasses or contact lenses, we recommend a comprehensive routine eye examination with dilation once a year to confirm your prescription is current and your eyes remain healthy.
If you have health conditions
Diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure can each affect the eyes without producing obvious early symptoms. An eye exam helps detect these issues before they start affecting your vision.
If you’re pregnant
Some pregnant women experience temporary changes such as blurry vision or dry eyes. An eye test during pregnancy can also help detect underlying conditions like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
When you may need more frequent eye exams: high-risk groups
Diabetes
Close to half of all diabetic Australians don’t have regular eye checks. Diabetes raises the risk of conditions like diabetic retinopathy, which can progress without obvious symptoms. Annual monitoring is recommended.
Family history
A family history of glaucoma, myopia, or macular degeneration significantly raises your personal risk. People with a first-degree relative diagnosed with glaucoma are around 10 times more likely to develop it themselves.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
Over the age of 40, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience blindness at six times the rate of other Australians, largely due to reduced access to eye health care. More frequent check-ups and early intervention can make a real difference.
Contact lens wearers
Contact lens wearers need ongoing monitoring for eye health, prescription accuracy, and lens compatibility, as well as checks that can help prevent issues such as dryness and irritation from prolonged wear.
High screen use or strong prescriptions
Both factors may call for more frequent reviews to maintain comfort and clear vision.
10 signs you should get your eyes checked immediately
1. Blurry or changing vision
Blurred vision can affect one or both eyes, or only part of your visual field. It may indicate a worsening refractive error, diabetes or migraine. A vision test can help identify the cause.
2. Frequent headaches
Pain behind one or both eyes, or headaches accompanied by eye fatigue, can be linked to vision problems.
3. Eye strain or fatigue
Pressure between the eyes or tiredness when reading or using screens is a common sign of eye strain. It can result from an incorrect prescription, dry eye disease, extended screen time, or poor lighting. An eye test can point to the exact cause.
4. Dry or irritated eyes
Persistent redness, soreness, or dryness that doesn’t improve with lubricating drops after a few days is worth having assessed.
5. Double vision
Even when temporary, double vision should always be checked. An eye exam can identify what’s behind it.
6. Difficulty seeing at night
Struggling to see clearly after dark, particularly while driving, can be an early indicator of eye disease and has direct safety implications.
7. Sensitivity to light
If normal lighting suddenly causes discomfort, this may indicate light sensitivity linked to eye strain, infection, or migraine. It’s worth investigating.
8. Squinting
Squinting frequently to read, see screens, or look at distant objects often signals that your current prescription is no longer doing the job.
9. Sudden vision loss
Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes is rare but serious. It can result from retinal detachment, stroke, or other significant eye disease. Seek immediate medical attention.
10. Flashes or floaters
A sudden increase in flashing lights or new floaters may indicate a problem with the retina. See an eye care professional as soon as possible.
Why regular eye exams matter (even if you can see clearly)
Clear vision doesn’t always mean healthy eyes. Many serious conditions – like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy – develop gradually with no obvious symptoms until they’ve already progressed significantly. According to Optometry Australia, regular check-ups allow for prompt treatment and give patients a better chance of managing the disease effectively.
Do you still need an eye test if your vision seems fine?
Yes. Eye examinations are a form of preventative healthcare. Much like visiting a dentist, routine check-ups catch issues before they become difficult to treat.
What happens during an eye test in Australia?
A comprehensive eye exam at an optometry clinic checks both the outside and inside of the eye, assesses vision clarity and quality, and screens for serious conditions. At Vision Camberwell Optometrists, our examinations typically take 30–90 minutes and follow a structured process to make sure nothing is missed.
Step-by-step eye exam process
- Your optometrist reviews your medical and family history and discusses any current concerns.
- A vision test using the Snellen chart checks distance clarity.
- A refraction test determines your exact prescription for glasses or contact lenses.
- Pupil response testing provides insights into neurological function.
- An eye muscle test checks alignment and coordination.
- Eye pressure is measured using tonometry, an essential part of glaucoma screening.
- Retinal images are taken to examine the back of the eye.
- A slit lamp examination assesses the front structures of the eye.
For patients with existing conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, Vision Camberwell Optometrists also offers advanced diagnostic imaging.
When to seek urgent eye care
Go directly to a hospital or urgent care clinic if you experience:
- Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes
- An injury to your eye
- Severe eye pain accompanied by nausea or halos around lights
- A sudden increase in flashes or floaters
These symptoms can indicate serious conditions requiring immediate attention.
How to know if it’s time to book your eye test
Our optometrists recommend booking an appointment if any of the following apply:
- It has been more than two years since your last eye exam
- You are experiencing any visual symptoms
- You fall into a higher-risk category
- Your current prescription no longer feels accurate
Where can I get my eyes checked near me?
Contact the Vision Camberwell Optometrists team to book an eye appointment in Melbourne. We welcome patients from Camberwell and the surrounding suburbs. Our optometrists have expertise in myopia control and advanced imaging, and our comprehensive eye exams go well beyond a standard vision test. We accept all private health funds, and you can contact our team for information on Medicare rebates.
Visit us in Camberwell
T. (03) 9882 5666
E. vision@visioncamberwell.com.au
Find Us at:
784 Burke Rd, Camberwell
Victoria 3124, Australia
Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday and Friday. 9am – 6pm
Wednesday. 9am – 5pm
Thursday. 10.30am – 7.30pm
Saturday. CLOSED
