We all desire to live to see all the beautiful people, places, celebrations and moments culminating in a lifetime of memorable experiences.

Therefore our primary means of experiencing life, our eyes, need to be protected and used appropriately to last our entire lifetimes.

When it comes to the health of our eyes, timing is very critical for preventive care and early detection of eye diseases.

The following is a recommended schedule of eye examinations.

Right from the beginning, the eyes have to be examined shortly after birth. In the absence of any suspicions or detectable eye conditions , the eyes are again examined around the age of three, an age at which children will usually cooperate for a much detailed eye examination. An added advantage is that certain eye conditions, such as lazy eye (a condition in which vision in the affected eye doesn't develop like it should) can be effectively managed or treated when detected around this age.

The advantage of such an early detection and treatment is that vision improves greatly or in other conditions, the eyes are saved from damage or complete blindness.

After the age of four, a preschool and school screening eye exams are also beneficial. Children need to see clearly to be able to perform well academically primarily because 80% of what children learn is done visually. 

If no problems are detected or suspected up until this point, the next eye exams can be conducted at age six.  

A good time to have your next eye exam in the absence of any eye problems is at age 13.

Besides these, a student entering the university or college or graduate school and anyone starting a job that requires intensive use of the eyes should also have an eye exam before beginning.

After 40, it's prudent to have an eye exam every year or two years. This will be clearly specified by your eye doctor. This helps to detect any age related eye problems. Commonly, a lot of people experience a decline in their ability to read clearly when objects are close to them (a condition called presbyopia). This condition requires a spectacle correction, which can be effectively done through an eye exam. After age forty, a lot of people are at a higher risk of certain chronic systemic diseases eg. Diabetes and hypertension which also have effects on the eyes. A thorough eye exam helps to detect and treat any effects such conditions can have on the eyes.

As a general recommendation, you should equally have your eyes examined every time you experience anything unusual about how well you see or how comfortable you feel in or around your eyes. Such eye exams should be sought immediately or as soon as possible. Also, people with chronic eye conditions may need to see their eye doctor sooner than what is recommended here. Should that be the case, it will be specified by your eye doctor.

If you have missed out on all these recommended schedules, you could have an eye exam today or as soon as possible to catch up.

Remember you have only two eyes to last you your entire life and importantly, your eyes don't have any spare parts for replacement if they should be damaged.

An eye exam today saves you from blindness tomorrow.