The Importance of Booking Regular Eye Exams

From all of us at Better Vision New Jersey, we hope your year is off to a great start! As 2026 continues, it’s important to incorporate healthy habits into your life. One of the best things you can do for your health is to schedule your eye appointments regularly. At BVNJ, we want to remind you that booking annual eye exams will lead to a healthy and positive experience for your eyes throughout the year.

Why Regular Exams Should Be A Priority

Regular eye exams with Better Vision New Jersey can aid in catching any preexisting or developing conditions before they cause irreversible and untreatable damage to your vision. By catching diseases that can seriously affect your eye health, you can promote healthy vision and a healthy aging process.

People who wear glasses or contact lenses should also be diligent about seeing their eye doctor regularly. Since vision is constantly evolving and changing, the same applies to your prescriptions. When prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses haven’t been updated in a long time, it doesn’t just cause poor vision, but can also cause discomfort or other problems, such as headaches, difficulty seeing obstacles, or an increased likelihood of accidents.

How Often To Visit The Eye Doctor

Poor vision can affect people of all ages, so it’s important to know the frequency of visits you should have with Better Vision New Jersey.

Infants: Infants should attend their first eye doctor appointment between 6 and 12 months of age. Infants with a higher risk of developing any eye conditions may be advised to visit their doctor more frequently.

Children (3-17): Between the ages of 3 and 5, children should see their eye doctor at least once unless advised otherwise. From the ages of 6 to 17, after first grade has begun, children should have an eye examination once every year.

Adults (18-64): Adults with a lower risk of developing serious eye conditions and no preexisting conditions should schedule an exam every two years. Adults who wear glasses or contact lenses may be advised by their eye care provider to seek more frequent exams. Adults with higher risks and known conditions—including diabetes and high blood pressure— should have an eye exam annually or more frequently as advised by your doctor.

Adults (64 and Older): Regardless of the risk status, older adults should attend an annual exam once a year to catch any signs of diseases that typically develop with age.

Issues That Can Be Caught With Regular Exams

Many eye conditions can develop in children at a young age. It’s crucial to catch these issues early on, before they can progress, so that children can maintain healthy vision throughout their school years.

Some conditions that can be caught and treated in children are:

• Amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Strabismus (crossed eyes)
• Nearsightedness and Farsightedness
• Astigmatism

All of these conditions are treatable, so it’s important to bring your children in for their eye examination to address any issues as soon as possible.

Similarly, there are many issues that affect adults as they age, and can also develop over time. These conditions may include:

• Glaucoma
• Cataracts
• Macular Degeneration
• Dry eye syndrome

Other conditions that can be caught by eye examinations, affecting the entire body, are diabetes and high blood pressure. While these symptoms can often go unnoticed, at Better Vision New Jersey, our doctors will be able to catch any signs of larger concerns for the health of your eyes and body.

Habits to Bring Into 2026 to Improve Your Eye Health

To kick off the year strong, now is the perfect time to incorporate some habits that will keep your eyes healthy.

Eating Eye-Healthy Foods: Foods rich in Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, are crucial for maintaining proper eye health and supporting key parts of the eye, such as the retina and photoreceptors.

UV Protection: Wearing UV protection when going outside, whether it’s sunny or not, will prevent sun damage to the eyes.

Regular Breaks from Screens: Whether it’s your phone, TV, computer, or any other device, staring at screens for too long can cause eye fatigue, potentially leading to blurry vision or discomfort. Practice the 20-20-20 rule when you find yourself using these devices frequently. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away, as this reduces eye strain and tiredness.

Practice Proper Hygiene: Washing your hands, not sharing glasses, removing any makeup before going to bed, and using recommended contact lens care will aid in preventing any infections that affect your eye health.

Schedule An Appointment Today!

It’s the perfect time to hit reset and begin adding eye-healthy habits and practices into your life. Even if you haven’t booked your exams for you or your family yet, it is never too late to schedule an appointment and get back on track.

Call Better Vision New Jersey with any questions or concerns about your eye health or to book your next eye exam today!

📞(908) 276-3030