Sight is the sense we use most intensely, every moment, often without thinking about it. At Michils Opticiens in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, we have been supporting our customers since 1955 through every stage of their visual life: the first screenings in childhood, the school and screen years, presbyopia gradually setting in during adulthood, and then the specific challenges of ageing eyes. This guide brings together the essentials of caring for your eyesight at every age, and knowing when to seek advice.
Childhood: the most decisive period for eyesight
A child's visual system is not complete at birth: it develops gradually until around the age of 6 to 8, a period during which the brain learns to interpret the images sent by both eyes. This is known as visual plasticity, and it is precisely what makes early screening so important. A problem that goes undetected during this window of development, such as a squint or a large difference in prescription between the two eyes, can lead to amblyopia, better known as "lazy eye". Beyond a certain age, this loss of visual acuity becomes much harder, or even impossible, to correct, even with suitable glasses.
That is why paediatricians and ophthalmologists recommend a first eye examination in the first months of life, then a systematic check before starting nursery school, usually around age 3, and another check before starting primary school. A child rarely complains of poor vision: they do not know their vision could be different, and often compensate without realising it. The signs that should alert parents are an eye that turns, a child who squints or holds objects and screens very close, frequent headaches, sensitivity to light, or school difficulties that cannot otherwise be explained.
At this age, the choice of frame is also important: it must be light, sturdy and well fitted to the child's face, and ideally fitted with organic lenses with a scratch-resistant coating and a blue light filter if screen exposure is high.
Adolescence and young adulthood: eyesight put to the test by screens
With secondary school and then higher education, and the omnipresence of smartphones, tablets and computers, digital eye strain affects a growing proportion of young people. Prolonged screen work reduces the blink reflex, which dries the surface of the eye and causes a feeling of dryness, stinging or vision blurring at the end of the day. Some studies also point to a link between time spent on near vision tasks in poorly lit environments and the progression of myopia in young people, a phenomenon that has risen sharply in industrialised countries over a generation.
A few simple habits limit these problems: follow the 20-20-20 rule, which means looking at a point at least 6 metres away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes of screen work; make sure ambient lighting is sufficient to avoid excessive contrast between the screen and the room; and, if necessary, choose lenses with a coating that filters the most energetic blue-violet light. This is also the period when many people discover contact lenses, which must always be accompanied by rigorous training in hygiene when inserting and removing them, to avoid any risk of corneal infection.
Adulthood: the gradual onset of presbyopia
Around the age of 40 to 45, the vast majority of adults notice increasing difficulty reading up close, especially in low light or at the end of the day: this is presbyopia. It is not a disease but a natural and inevitable change in the lens of the eye, which gradually loses its ability to change shape to focus on near objects. It continues to progress until around 60 to 65, before stabilising.
It is often at this stage that people who have never worn glasses discover vision correction, and that those who have been short-sighted since childhood need to consider progressive lenses, which correct distance, intermediate and near vision at the same time. Choosing and centring this type of lens requires precise measurements taken in store, as a poor fitting can make them uncomfortable to use in the first few weeks.
It is also during this period of life, between 40 and 60, that some more silent conditions can start to develop, particularly glaucoma, which progresses without any noticeable symptoms for years while gradually destroying the optic nerve. That is why a check of eye pressure and the back of the eye every two to three years is recommended from the age of forty, even if you feel no discomfort, and even more so if there is a family history or diabetes.
Ageing eyes: plan ahead to protect them better
After 60, several conditions become more common and call for greater vigilance. Cataract, the gradual clouding of the lens, causes hazy vision, colours that seem faded and increased discomfort with headlights or bright light; today it is treated very effectively with day surgery, which has become one of the most frequently performed and safest operations in ophthalmology.
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, affects the macula, the central area of the retina responsible for fine and detailed vision, needed in particular for reading and recognising faces. It shows up as distortion of straight lines or a central spot that interferes with vision, and early screening with a simple test called the Amsler grid allows faster treatment, especially for the so-called wet forms, for which treatments exist that slow their progression.
Glaucoma, already mentioned, and diabetic retinopathy, an eye complication of diabetes, complete this picture of age-related conditions, which all share one essential feature: they often progress without pain or discomfort in their early stages, and regular screening remains the only reliable way to detect them in time.
Everyday precautions, at any age
Some simple habits protect your eyesight in the long term, whatever your age. Protecting your eyes from the sun with UV-filtering sun lenses limits the risk of early cataract and retinal damage linked to cumulative sun exposure, particularly in the mountains, on water or in snow, where reflection is strongest. A diet rich in omega-3, lutein and zeaxanthin, found in oily fish, green leafy vegetables and certain colourful fruits, contributes to long-term retinal health. Stopping smoking significantly reduces the risk of AMD, for which it is one of the main avoidable risk factors. Finally, healthy screen habits, suitable lighting at your workstation and keeping your check-up appointments remain the best allies for preserving your eyesight.
How often should you have your eyes checked, and by whom?
The ideal frequency of eye checks depends on each person's age and history. In summary, a first examination is needed before age 1, a second around age 3, then a check before starting primary school. During the school years and up to age 40, a check every two years is generally enough if there is no discomfort, except in cases of a strong prescription or a known condition. Between 40 and 60, a check every two to three years is advised, particularly to watch for glaucoma. After 60, an annual check is preferable, to detect cataract, AMD or diabetic complications early.
It is useful to distinguish between the roles of each professional. The ophthalmologist is the medical eye specialist: they make medical diagnoses, prescribe treatments and perform surgery. The optician, like our team at Michils Opticiens, carries out eye tests to adjust your correction, advises you on the lenses and frames best suited to your face and lifestyle, and refers you to an ophthalmologist as soon as a clinical sign justifies it. These two professions are complementary: a regular check with one never rules out the usefulness of the other.
Take care of your eyesight today
Whether you are noticing the first signs of presbyopia or simply want to check your current correction, our team at Michils Opticiens, rue de l'Église 114 in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, is at your service for a complete eye test and personalised advice. Book your appointment online now or call us on 02 772 70 75.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should a child's eyes be checked for the first time?
A first examination is recommended before the age of 1, followed by a check around age 3 and another before starting primary school, as a child's visual plasticity mainly develops before the age of 6 to 8.
At what age does presbyopia appear?
Presbyopia usually appears between 40 and 45 and continues to progress until around 60 to 65, before stabilising.
What is the difference between an optician and an ophthalmologist?
The ophthalmologist is a doctor who makes diagnoses and treats eye diseases. The optician carries out refraction tests, adjusts corrections and advises on the choice of eyewear, referring to the ophthalmologist if necessary.
How often should you have your eyes checked after 60?
An annual check is advised after 60, to detect cataract, AMD, glaucoma or possible diabetic retinopathy early.
Does screen time really damage your eyesight?
Screens do not cause permanent eye damage, but they encourage digital eye strain and dry eyes, and are associated with the progression of myopia in young people when near vision exposure is prolonged and rarely broken up by breaks.
Read also: how often should you have your eyes tested, from childhood to over 60? See our age-by-age eye test guide.