Most people only think about an eye test when something feels wrong. But vision can change so gradually that you don't notice, especially in children, who rarely complain. Here's the general guidance on how often to get tested. Your optometrist may recommend a different schedule for you, and their advice comes first.
General guidance by age
| Who | Commonly recommended |
|---|---|
| Children and teenagers | Every year, or as advised. Eyesight can change quickly while they grow. |
| Adults under 40, no problems | Every 1–2 years |
| Adults over 40 | Every 1–2 years. Near vision often starts changing around this age. |
| Adults over 60 | Every year |
| Diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma in the family | As often as your doctor advises, usually at least yearly |
How long is an eye prescription valid?
A spectacle prescription reflects your eyes on the day of the test. Many opticians treat a prescription as current for about one to two years for adults, and less for children. If yours is older, or you've noticed changes, a new test before ordering glasses is a good idea. A new pair made to an out-of-date prescription won't feel right.
Signs you may be due an eye test
- Squinting to read signboards, number plates or the TV.
- Holding your phone further away to read it.
- Frequent headaches or tired eyes after reading or screen work.
- Difficulty seeing while driving at night.
- A child sitting very close to the TV, rubbing their eyes a lot, or struggling to read the board at school.
Sudden changes in vision, eye pain, flashes of light or a curtain over your vision are different: see an eye doctor urgently rather than booking a routine test.
Screens and your eyes
Long hours on phones and laptops can leave eyes feeling tired and dry. A commonly suggested habit is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If you do a lot of screen work, an up-to-date prescription matters, and some people prefer computer glasses with blue cut lenses.
Eye testing in Aligarh
Deepak Opticals offers eye testing at our Aligarh store (opp. Gandhi Eye Hospital, Ramghat Road), open Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 8 PM. Once you have your prescription, you can have lenses fitted in store, or order online from EYVRO and enter your prescription at checkout.
Need a hand? Talk to us
EYVRO is the online brand of Deepak Opticals, Aligarh (opp. Gandhi Eye Hospital, Ramghat Road). If anything on your prescription or frame is unclear, send us a photo on WhatsApp and our opticians will tell you what they see, or visit the store for an eye test and fitting. You can also read our prescription help page or browse eyeglasses and add your prescription at checkout.