Regular eye examinations are recommended for everyone — from children in primary school to adults over 40 — to detect vision problems and eye diseases early before they cause permanent damage. Optometrists and ophthalmologists conduct these checks to assess vision clarity, eye health, and the need for corrective lenses.
Many eye conditions develop gradually without pain or obvious symptoms. You may think your eyes are fine, but glaucoma or diabetic eye disease can be damaging vision silently. Early detection through routine exams can help prevent significant vision loss and support overall health.
Children, adults who use phones and laptops daily, and people with diabetes or a family history of eye disease benefit most from scheduled check-ups. Doctors advise following a professional schedule based on age and risk factors, not waiting until you cannot see clearly.
What Happens During An Eye Check-Up
An eye check-up is performed by an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or other trained eye-care professional in a clinic or hospital. The goal is to assess both vision and the overall health of the eyes, including retina and optic nerve.
Depending on age and risk factors, the exam may include testing for short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hyperopia), checking eye movements and coordination, examining internal and external eye structures with a slit lamp, measuring eye pressure (tonometry) for glaucoma, and testing colour vision.
The professional will also determine if glasses, contact lenses, or other vision correction is needed, and give you a prescription if required. For children, they may also check for lazy eye (amblyopia).
A full exam usually takes 30-45 minutes and is painless. Dilation drops may be used to see retina better — your vision may be blurry for 2-3 hours after, so go with someone.
Key Reasons For Regular Eye Exams
1. Detect refractive errors early: Signs include difficulty reading small text, blurred distance vision, frequent squinting, headaches after screen use, and holding phone too close. Corrective lenses can often resolve these issues immediately and improve school and work performance.
2. Catch silent diseases: Eye diseases such as glaucoma (pressure damages nerve), cataracts (cloudy lens, common after 50), and diabetic retinopathy (diabetes damages retina) may have no early symptoms. Routine screening allows for monitoring and treatment before vision is severely affected. Glaucoma is leading cause of irreversible blindness in Nigeria.
3. For children, clear vision is critical for learning: A child who cannot see board will struggle and may be labelled dull. Signs parents should watch for include sitting very close to TV, rubbing eyes frequently, poor concentration during reading, closing one eye, and complaints of headache. First eye check should be before age 5.
4. Detect other health issues: Eyes can show signs of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Doctors sometimes detect these during eye exam.
Protecting Your Eyes Daily In Nigeria
People with diabetes should follow their doctor's advice for regular eye screening — at least once a year, or more if doctor says. Managing blood sugar and blood pressure helps reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease, which is rising in Nigeria.
To reduce digital eye strain from phone and laptop — common in Jos youth — follow 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Take regular breaks from screens, blink often (we blink less when staring), and adjust brightness to match room light. Avoid using phone in dark.
Eat for your eyes: A balanced diet with leafy greens like ugu and bitter leaf, fruits like oranges, carrots rich in Vitamin A, and fish like Titus with Omega-3 supports eye health. Stay hydrated.
Use UV-protective sunglasses outdoors — Plateau sun is strong and UV damages eyes over time. Use protective eyewear during welding, grinding, or farming activities with risk of injury. Avoid buying cheap roadside glasses without prescription — they can worsen vision.
Seek urgent care for red flags: sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, flashes of light, many floaters, double vision, or eye trauma from stone or chemical. Go to eye emergency at JUTH or Plateau Specialist Hospital.
Jos Eye Care Tip: Many people in Plateau only go for eye test when they can't see. Don't wait. If you are 40+ and need to stretch hand to read Bible or phone, you likely need reading glasses — normal with age. Check eyes at least every 2 years if under 40 and normal, yearly if diabetic, hypertensive, or family history of glaucoma. JUTH Eye Clinic and private optometrists in Terminus offer affordable checks from ₦5k-₦10k. Early check saves you from blindness.
How Often Should You Check?
Children (0-18): First before school, then every 2 years
Adults 18-40: Every 2 years if no problem
Adults 40+: Every 1-2 years (presbyopia starts)
Diabetes/Hypertension/Glaucoma family: Every year
Contact lens users: Yearly
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