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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffNearsightedness is diagnosed by a basic eye exam. Three kinds of eye specialists, each with different training and experience, can provide routine eye care:
- Ophthalmologists. An ophthalmologist is an eye specialist with a doctor of medicine (M.D.) degree who provides full eye care, including performing complete eye evaluations, prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing and treating common and complex eye disorders, and performing eye surgery when it's necessary.
- Optometrists. An optometrist has a doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Optometrists are trained to evaluate vision, prescribe corrective lenses and diagnose common eye disorders. Complicated eye conditions, including those requiring surgery, must be treated by an ophthalmologist.
- Opticians. An optician is an eye specialist who fills prescriptions for eyeglasses — assembling, fitting and selling them. In some states, opticians are also allowed to sell and fit contact lenses.
A complete eye examination involves a series of tests. Your eye doctor may use odd-looking instruments, aim bright lights directly at your eyes and request that you look through an array of lenses. Each test allows your doctor to examine a different aspect of your vision.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recommendations for regular eye exams include:
Adults
If you don't wear glasses or contacts, have no symptoms of eye trouble and are at a low risk of developing eye disease, it's recommended that you have an eye exam at the following intervals.
- At least once between ages 20 and 39
- Every three to five years between the ages of 20 and 29 if you're at high risk of certain eye diseases, such as glaucoma
- Every two to four years between ages 40 and 64
- Every one to two years beginning at age 65
However, if you wear glasses or contacts, have your eyes checked every year. And if you notice any problems with your vision, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible, even if you've recently had an eye exam. Blurred vision, for example, may suggest you need a prescription change.
Children and adolescents
Children need to be screened for eye disease and have their vision tested by a pediatrician, an ophthalmologist or another trained screener at the following ages and intervals.
- Between birth and 3 months
- Between 6 months and 1 year
- Around 3 years
- Around 5 years
Additionally, it's recommended that school-aged children be screened at school or through community programs approximately every two years to check for vision problems.
Your child or adolescent may need more frequent visits if he or she experiences any problems with vision or has symptoms of eye trouble. In addition, children and adolescents who have a disease that puts their eyes at risk, such as diabetes, may need more frequent eye exams.
