It shouldn’t be a surprise that your vision is extremely important when you’re behind the wheel. When was the last time you got an eye exam? August is National Eye Exam month. Let’s take a look how often you should get eye exams and the vision requirements for drivers in each state.
When to Get an Eye Exam
Vision tends to decrease over time. If you wear glasses or contacts, you’ve probably adjusted your prescription several times as your vision changes over the years. The changes may be subtle enough that you don’t even notice them until you’re in the exam chair.
That’s why it’s important to get regular eye exams. Follow your optometrist’s recommendations to know how often to get an eye exam. In general, how often you should get your eyes checked depends on your age. Here are some general guidelines:
- Children under age 1: One baseline eye exam between 6 months and 12 months
- Children under age 5: At least one exam between ages 3 and 5
- Children 6+: Every 1-2 years
- Age 20-39: Every 2-3 years
- Age 40-64: Every 2 years
- Age 65+: Annually
If you’re a glasses or contacts wearer, you’ll likely need to get an eye exam more frequently than others in your age group. Those with health issues may need more frequent eye exams as well.
Vision Requirements for Drivers in Each State
Like many laws, the vision requirements for drivers vary a little state by state. Check out the chart below to see your state’s requirements.
Make sure you’re staying up-to-date on your vision exams, especially if you plan to get behind the wheel!
It shouldn’t be a surprise that your vision is extremely important when you’re behind the wheel. When was the last time you got an eye exam? August is National Eye Exam month. Let’s take a look how often you should get eye exams and the vision requirements for drivers in each state.