The Australian Eye Health Checklist

I’ve had a comprehensive eye test in the last 2 years

Adults under 65 should have a full eye examination at least every 2 years. This checks more than just your prescription. It screens for glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and other conditions that have no symptoms in early stages.

My prescription is current and I’m not straining to see clearly

An outdated prescription causes more than blurry vision. It leads to headaches, eye fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. If you’re squinting, tilting your head, or getting headaches after reading or screen time, your prescription has likely changed.

I know my family history of eye conditions

Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy all have strong hereditary components. If a parent or sibling has been diagnosed with any of these, you need more frequent monitoring, typically every year rather than every two. Tell your optometrist your family history at every visit.

My last eye test felt thorough — the optometrist had enough time to properly explain my results and answer my questions

A good eye examination involves more than reading a chart and writing a prescription. Your optometrist should walk you through your results, explain what they found, and give you genuine time to ask questions. If your last appointment felt rushed, or you left without fully understanding what was found, that’s worth addressing. It doesn’t have to be that way.

My optometrist recommended what was right for my eyes — not just what was available in their practice

Not all optometrists have the same freedom to recommend. Some practices are tied to particular suppliers, brands, or product ranges, which can limit what gets offered to you. An independent optometrist has no commercial obligation to any single supplier. Their recommendation reflects what genuinely suits your vision, your lifestyle, and your budget.

I see the same optometrist each visit — someone who knows my eye health history

Continuity of care matters more in eye health than most people realise. Subtle changes in the optic nerve, shifts in prescription over time, or the early signs of macular degeneration are most reliably caught by someone comparing this year’s results with last year’s — not starting fresh each visit. Independent practices tend to have lower staff turnover and keep detailed longitudinal records that follow you over years, not just appointments.

I don’t experience persistent dry, gritty, or irritated eyes

Dry eye is one of the most common and most under-treated eye conditions in Australia — affecting an estimated 1 in 5 adults. Air conditioning, screen time, and our climate all make it worse. Left unmanaged, it can damage the eye’s surface over time. A proper dry eye assessment by an independent optometrist is a worthwhile first step.

I don’t get regular headaches after screen time or close work

Eye strain headaches are the body’s way of signalling that your visual system is working harder than it should. They tend to appear after sustained near work — reading, screens, or detailed tasks — and often ease after rest. They are almost always addressable with the right prescription or lens treatment.

I see clearly at night and have no difficulty with night driving

Difficulty seeing clearly at night, halos around headlights, or increased glare when driving after dark are signs worth investigating. They can indicate an uncorrected prescription, early cataract development, or a need for anti-reflective lens treatment. Don’t normalise struggling at night. It’s both a safety issue and a treatable one.

My child has had a comprehensive eye test with a registered optometrist

School vision screenings are a helpful first step and check basic distance acuity well. A comprehensive optometric exam goes further, also checking focusing, eye coordination, and overall eye health — giving a fuller picture of your child’s visual function. Medicare covers children’s eye tests in full.

I know the signs of myopia in children and monitor for them

Myopia (short-sightedness) is increasing rapidly in Australian children, particularly those who spend more time indoors and on screens. Signs include squinting, sitting close to the TV, holding devices very close, and falling behind in subjects that require reading the board. If caught early, myopia progression can be actively managed — not just corrected.

My child gets at least 90 minutes of outdoor time daily

Research is clear: time spent outdoors in natural light is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of myopia developing and to slow its progression once it has. Australian guidelines recommend at least 90 minutes outdoors per day for school-age children. It’s free, proven, and most families underestimate how little their children actually get.

My spectacle prescription has been updated in the last 2 years

Glasses that are even slightly out of date force your visual system to compensate, leading to fatigue and reduced clarity. If you notice yourself tilting your head or removing your glasses to read, your prescription has likely shifted. Your optometrist can assess whether a new prescription is needed — sometimes the answer is no, which is also useful to confirm.

My sunglasses provide genuine UV protection, not just tinting

Australia has among the highest UV levels in the world. Sunglasses that block UV are not a fashion accessory here — they are a health essential. Lens tinting without UV coating can actually be worse than no sunglasses at all, because the pupil dilates in the dark lens without the protection that should come with it. Look for lenses rated to Australian Standard AS/NZS 1067.

My lenses are suited to how I actually use my eyes each day

Most people wear whatever lens type they were given at their last appointment without questioning whether it still fits their life. If you’ve changed jobs, started working from home, taken up a new hobby, or noticed your vision needs have shifted, your lens type may need to change with them. Single vision, progressive, anti-reflective, blue light, and occupational lenses each solve a different problem.

I’ve found an independent optometrist near me

Independent practices are not tied to retail chains or commercial quotas. They can recommend any lens or frame that suits you, take longer appointments, and build a genuine long-term picture of your eye health. Use the Australian Made Vision directory to find one in your area.

I have an eye test booked or scheduled for this year

The most common reason Australians delay eye tests is not concern or cost — it’s simply never getting around to booking. An eye test covered by Medicare costs nothing and takes less than an hour. If you’ve identified anything on this checklist that needs attention, the best next action is a date in the calendar.

I’ve shared this checklist with someone who needs it

Parents, ageing relatives, and people who spend hours a day on screens are the most likely to have overlooked eye care. Sending this checklist takes 30 seconds. If it prompts one person to book an eye test they’ve been putting off, that’s a meaningful outcome — and potentially an early detection that matters.