diff --git a/adafruit_vl53l0x.py b/adafruit_vl53l0x.py
index 8a75fa8..2ea0d13 100644
--- a/adafruit_vl53l0x.py
+++ b/adafruit_vl53l0x.py
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ def __init__(self, i2c, address=41, io_timeout_s=0):
         self._i2c = i2c
         self._device = i2c_device.I2CDevice(i2c, address)
         self.io_timeout_s = io_timeout_s
+        self._data_ready = False
         # Check identification registers for expected values.
         # From section 3.2 of the datasheet.
         if (
@@ -528,6 +529,15 @@ def range(self):
             self.do_range_measurement()
         return self.read_range()
 
+    @property
+    def data_ready(self):
+        """Check if data is available from the sensor. If true a call to .range
+        will return quickly. If false, calls to .range will wait for the sensor's
+        next reading to be available."""
+        if not self._data_ready:
+            self._data_ready = self._read_u8(_RESULT_INTERRUPT_STATUS) & 0x07 != 0
+        return self._data_ready
+
     def do_range_measurement(self):
         """Perform a single reading of the range for an object in front of the
         sensor, but without return the distance.
@@ -555,7 +565,6 @@ def do_range_measurement(self):
 
     def read_range(self):
         """Return a range reading in millimeters.
-
         Note: Avoid calling this directly. If you do single mode, you need
         to call `do_range_measurement` first. Or your program will stuck or
         timeout occurred.
@@ -563,7 +572,7 @@ def read_range(self):
         # Adapted from readRangeContinuousMillimeters in pololu code at:
         #   https://github.com/pololu/vl53l0x-arduino/blob/master/VL53L0X.cpp
         start = time.monotonic()
-        while (self._read_u8(_RESULT_INTERRUPT_STATUS) & 0x07) == 0:
+        while not self.data_ready:
             if (
                 self.io_timeout_s > 0
                 and (time.monotonic() - start) >= self.io_timeout_s
@@ -573,6 +582,7 @@ def read_range(self):
         # fractional ranging is not enabled
         range_mm = self._read_u16(_RESULT_RANGE_STATUS + 10)
         self._write_u8(_SYSTEM_INTERRUPT_CLEAR, 0x01)
+        self._data_ready = False
         return range_mm
 
     @property