It depends on your age, your family history and whether you see well. A practical guide, plus the warning signs not to sit on.
Seeing well is not the same as having healthy eyes. The two conditions that take away most sight in Spain —glaucoma and macular degeneration— begin without warning and do not hurt. That is why a regular check is the only way to catch them in time.
A guide by age
| Age | How often |
|---|---|
| 0 to 6 years | One examination at around 3–4, before starting school. That is the age at which a lazy eye can still be corrected. |
| 6 to 18 years | Every 1–2 years, and whenever school performance drops or the child holds the page very close. |
| 18 to 40 years | Every 2–3 years if there are no symptoms or family history. |
| 40 to 60 years | Every 1–2 years. Presbyopia appears, and the risk of glaucoma. |
| Over 60 | Once a year: cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration. |
When not to wait
- Sudden loss of vision, even if it comes back on its own.
- Floaters that appear all at once, or flashes of light.
- A shadow or curtain across part of your field of vision.
- A red, painful eye with blurred vision.
- Double vision.
- A family history of glaucoma: annual checks start earlier here.
What a full examination covers
Visual acuity and prescription, intraocular pressure, examination of the anterior segment and of the retina with the pupil dilated, plus whatever tests the findings call for: visual field, OCT, corneal topography or retinography.
If we dilate your pupils your vision will be blurred for a couple of hours: bring someone with you, or leave the car at home.
We are at 160 Carrer de Bolívia, Monday to Friday.