3 Reasons To Visit an Eye Doctor
Taking care of the eyes can protect one's vision and general health. It is important to regularly see an eye doctor to ensure the overall health of the eye and body, regardless of whether you need glasses. This blog will discuss when and how often to see an eye doctor, formally known as an optometrist.
When to see an eye doctor
Annual eye exams are beneficial for people who wear prescription glasses or contacts. The American Academy of Ophthalmology's recommendations for patients without vision problems varies by age:
- Age 40 and younger: Every five to 10 years
- Between ages 40 and 54: Every two to four years
- Between ages 55 and 64: Every one to three years
- Age 65 and up: Every one to two years
Eye exams are the backbone of vision care. Below are three reasons a patient should not skip their routine eye exam.
Detect eye disease early
An eye exam is not merely a simple vision test; checking the eye’s overall health is an important component of any eye exam. The eye doctor will use several fast and noninvasive tests to assess the health of various parts of the eye. While this part of the exam is quick, it checks for a wide range of eye diseases, such as:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Keratoconus
- Macular degeneration
- Ocular hypertension
Vision correction
Also known as a refraction test, vision correction is what most people think of when they schedule an eye exam. The eye doctor will have the patient sit in a chair and look through a machine with various lenses to read a display of letters of various sizes (the Snellen eye chart). They will switch between lenses of different strengths to determine the patient’s prescription.
The eye doctor will perform this test on patients who already wear glasses and those who do not. Sometimes, a patient who has never needed glasses or contacts before may be advised they need corrective lenses while undergoing this part of the exam. While this may be unwelcome news, getting a prescription early on is best to avoid further straining the eyes and damaging them. Often, patients find that they can see more comfortably with prescription glasses; in fact, it can even reduce headaches and migraines caused by poor vision.
Update your prescription
If the patient already wears glasses, it is even more important not to forgo an eye exam. There may be slight vision changes that render one’s current prescription obsolete. Wearing an old or wrong prescription can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, eye strain, and, of course, difficulty seeing. An eye doctor can update the patient’s prescription to avoid these problems.
Other reasons to visit an eye doctor
Do not wait to see an eye doctor if the patient starts to see flashes or floaters in their field of vision or experiences eye pain, severe vision changes, or vision loss. These issues could indicate a larger problem; for instance, floaters are a common symptom of retinal tears and detachment.
Schedule an appointment
Whether you wear glasses or not, it is important to see an eye doctor for an eye exam as recommended. Not only can an optometrist update one’s prescription, but they can also detect eye diseases and other issues. Contact our Carmi office to schedule your next eye exam.
Request an appointment here: https://www.carmieyecare.com or call Carmi Eye Care at (618) 374-0513 for an appointment in our Carmi office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Eye Doctor in Carmi, IL.
Related Posts
Contact lenses are an alternative to glasses for those looking to improve their vision. They offer aesthetic appeal, a better and more natural field of vision, and flexibility, among other benefits. Despite these benefits, contact lenses require some adjustment and must be handled with care. Here are some key things to know if you are…
Eyeglasses from an optometrist are a sound investment, with one pair lasting up to three years on average. However, it is important to update the prescription regularly. Doing so ensures supreme vision correction, as well as alleviates eye strain and other symptoms of an incorrect prescription.According to recommendations from the American Optometric Association (AOA), patients…
Just because sunglasses are tinted does not mean they provide the protection your eyes need. In fact, unless they provide the right UV protection, your eyes are still at risk for damage from the sun's harmful UV radiation. Here is what you need to know about UV rays and why sunglasses with the right UV…
Optometrists ensure your eyes function properly and help maintain their internal and external health. They are trained to identify, treat, and manage conditions that affect any of these factors. Discover why maintaining a relationship with an optometrist's office through regular can greatly benefit your overall health and boost your quality of life.Optometrists are healthcare professionals…