How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam? A Burlington Optician's Guide
"My glasses still work, so I am fine." It is the most common reason people go five years between appointments — and the least reliable. Vision changes gradually enough that you adapt without noticing. Here is how often you should actually book an eye exam in Burlington.
Recommended frequency by age
- Infants and toddlers: a first exam between 6 and 9 months, then again between ages 2 and 5.
- School-age children (6-19): every year. Vision changes fast during growth, and up to 80% of classroom learning is visual.
- Adults 20-39: every two years if you have no symptoms and no risk factors; annually if you wear contact lenses.
- Adults 40-64: every one to two years. Presbyopia — the loss of near focus — typically begins in the mid-40s.
- Adults 65+: annually. Cataract, macular degeneration, and glaucoma risk all climb with age, and OHIP covers the visit.
Book sooner if you notice any of these
- Headaches or eye strain at the end of a screen day
- Holding your phone further away to read comfortably
- Halos, glare, or difficulty with night driving
- Sudden floaters, flashes, or any loss of side vision — treat this as urgent
- One eye that seems to be doing more work than the other
Contact lens wearers need annual visits
A contact lens prescription expires sooner than a glasses prescription because lenses sit directly on the cornea. An annual fitting check confirms the lens still moves and breathes properly on your eye.
Where to book in Burlington
Style Eyes offers on-site eye exams in Burlington at 468 Brant Street, Unit 1 — adult, senior, children''s, and contact lens exams under one roof. See the full range of optical services, or get in touch to book. Walk out with an updated prescription and, if you want, a frame fitted the same day.