Seeing Clearly: The Role of Regular Eye Exams in Preventive Care
Most people don't think about eye health unless they wear glasses or contacts or an irritating infection arises that needs prompt treatment. However, eye problems and diseases develop slowly, usually flying under the radar until they present serious symptoms.
The eyes are a true window to overall health as well, and if you want the bigger picture of how you're doing, it's best to schedule regular eye exams. If it's been a while since you've been to the eye doctor, here's why you should make an appointment.
Vision Changes Are Gradual
If your general practitioner asked you to read off the letters on an eye chart during your last visit, that doesn't count. While it does help determine how well you can see from a distance, it's only a small slice of a vision screening. You need to visit an eye doctor to have refraction testing that can determine if you have any eye conditions such as blurred vision (astigmatism), nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or poor close-up vision (presbyopia).
Conditions like these are easily managed with corrective lenses, and visiting your eye doctor each year can ensure your prescription is working for you. Vision changes are slow to the point that you may be unaware of what you're missing.
Eye Diseases Can Sneak Up on You
Serious eye diseases tend to develop without showing any symptoms. If you don't go to the eye doctor for regular eye exams, you likely won't know you have an eye disease until you have vision loss.
Vision loss is something that is irreversible, but regular eye exams can detect these things before you have symptoms. If you're over 40, you should not skip your appointment to ensure you have no eye diseases.
The Things You Do Daily Damage Your Eyes
Every day, you use a computer for work, use your phone or tablet to communicate, and unwind while watching TV. All these screens can have serious negative impacts on your eyes. The more time you spend watching screens, the less you blink. This leads to dry, strained, blurry, and irritated eyes.
Your Eye Doctor Can Spot Problems with Your General Health
Through the eyes, an optometrist can spot general health issues before they become serious. Diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases can be detected during your eye exam. Even diabetes symptoms can be revealed through these simple exams. If your health is not on the right track, your eye doctor will be able to let you know.
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today
Yearly eye exams are ideal if you have any vision problems or concerns. Some people may even be able to visit for a comprehensive eye exam every two years. However, you should go as often as your optometrist advises.
Generally, if health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or eye diseases run in your family, it’s best to visit yearly. Click here to read more about preventative eye care.