Poll finds many delay eye exams

The American Academy of Ophthalmology said many Americans still wait for vision changes before booking an eye exam, a pattern highlighted in a May 2026 community-health article carried by KPVI and other outlets. The article cited an Academy poll showing only about one-third of adults know many vision-threatening eye diseases begin without noticeable symptoms. Laura Fine, an ophthalmologist in Boston and an EyeCare America volunteer, said early disease can be missed because “your brain tries to fill in gaps in vision.” (keysnews.com) The message in the campaign is straightforward: eye exams are being framed not only as vision care, but as preventive health care. (keysnews.com) The article said eye doctors can sometimes spot signs tied to conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and vitamin deficiencies during a medical eye exam. The outreach also pointed uninsured or underinsured patients to EyeCare America for possible no-out-of-pocket-cost exams. ### Why are people still waiting until their vision changes? The Academy poll found only about one-third of adults know many vision-threatening eye diseases can start without symptoms. Fine said that helps explain why people may believe they still have normal sight and do not need an exam. “Regular eye exams throughout adulthood are important to catch eye diseases and conditions early, before symptoms appear,” she said in the article. (keysnews.com) The American Optometric Association has reported a similar gap. Its eye-health materials say many adults, including younger adults with clear vision, do not think they need an exam, even though comprehensive exams go beyond checking whether someone needs glasses or contacts. (keysnews.com) ### What can an eye exam catch besides a prescription problem? The KPVI-carried article said blood vessels and nerves at the back of the eye can reflect broader health problems. It listed diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and vitamin deficiencies among conditions that may show warning signs in the eye. (keysnews.com) The American Optometric Association says comprehensive eye exams can help identify early warning signs of more than 270 systemic and chronic diseases, including diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases and cancers. The group also says one in five Americans reported that an eye-health professional detected or diagnosed a non-eye-related health issue. (aoa.org) ### How much missed care is already documented? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a May 2024 fact sheet that about 93 million U.S. adults were at high risk for vision loss in 2017. Among those adults, about 40% did not see an eye doctor or receive an eye exam in the previous year. (keysnews.com) The CDC said annual eye exams are an important preventive practice for people with diabetes because early detection and treatment of diabetes-related eye disease and other eye diseases can prevent irreversible vision loss. ### What are doctors and advocates telling patients to do now? (aoa.org) Fine used a patient example in the article to show the stakes. Peggy Wellman sought care expecting only a new eyeglass prescription and instead learned she had advanced glaucoma and had already lost most of her peripheral vision, according to the piece. Surgery stopped further loss, the article said, but could not restore the sight already gone. (cdc.gov) The Academy’s guidance in the article says healthy adults should get a medical eye exam at least once in their 20s, twice in their 30s, and then as recommended by an ophthalmologist in their 40s and beyond. People with a family history of eye disease or conditions such as diabetes may need more frequent exams, the article said. (cdc.gov) EyeCare America and local screening efforts are among the options being promoted in May 2026. (keysnews.com)