Base exams for children, from birth to 5 years or age, screen for possible development problems such as strabismus (eye deviation) or amblyopia (lazy eye). Periodic eye exams for children and teens are conducted on a 1 to 2 year basis to monitor and detect refractal errors such as myopia (nearsightedness) — a condition commonly developed during this period. Recurrent eye exams every 2 to 3 years are designed for those age 20-60 and screen for possible vision loss and eye diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. Annual eye exams for those 60 years of age and older are important in monitoring conditions more common with senior citizens.