Eye Exam

Farsightedness affects just about everyone over age 40, so if you do much reading -- or anything else that requires you to focus on something close to your face -- you'll probably need prescription glasses. Other age-related vision problems such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration develop gradually. Regular eye exams can detect these potentially serious conditions in their early stages.

Who needs it The American Optometric Association recommends complete eye exams every year or two between ages 40 and 59 and yearly exams after age 60. If you wear contact lenses, have a known eye disease, or have diabetes, you'll need to visit the eye doctor more often.

How it's done The doctor examines the outside of your eyes for problems like swelling or infection, then checks your retina with an ophthalmoscope (a small device that shines light into your pupil) to detect any damaged blood vessels. He may give you eyedrops that dilate your pupils to get a better view. Every exam should include a test for glaucoma, a serious condition in which pressure builds up inside the eye. This painless test is done with a tonometer, which measures pressure in the eye.

What the results mean If an optometrist or primary-care physician detects a serious eye problem, you'll need to see an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.

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