Eye exams are extremely important to ensure long term health of your eyes. Yet, most people ignore it till they absolutely need to see an optometrist. If you are one of those people, it is time to change. Regular eye exams are essential for your eye health. You need to get them done at any cost.
In today’s post, I am going to dive deeper into the subject. Without further ado, let’s get started:
Why Are Regular Eye Exams Important?
Eye exams involve much more than getting glasses or contact lenses. Your eye doctor can track any serious problems with your eyes and health. Why is it important? Well, because certain eye diseases like glaucoma do not show signs in the early stages. You won’t figure it out until the problem has progressed quite a bit. We don’t want that. Do we?
During an eye exam, the optometrist looks for diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration. These problems can be treated right away. Don’t let laziness come in the way of your eye health! You might also be able to spot some other health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or even some types of cancer. Your eyes do tell a lot about you.
How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
Now that we have determined the importance of eye exams, let’s see how often you need one. Here is a general guide:
- Children: First exam at 6 months old. Another one at age 3. After that, every year.
- Adults under 40: Every two years if you are healthy and have no vision problems.
- Adults over 40: Every one to two years. Eye problems are more common after 40.
- Seniors over 60: Every year. The risk of eye diseases increases with age.
If you have diabetes, a family history of eye disease, or wear glasses, you might need more frequent exams. Your optometrist can guide you on what is best.
When Should You Get an Eye Exam Sooner?
Sometimes, you might need an eye exam sooner than planned. Here are some signs you should not ignore:
- Your vision is blurry, or you have trouble focusing.
- You get headaches often, especially after reading or using a screen.
- Your eyes hurt or feel irritated.
- You see double or have trouble seeing at night.
- You lose vision suddenly in one or both eyes.
If you notice any of these, visit your optometrist as soon as possible.
What Happens During an Eye Exam?
Eye exams are simple and do not hurt. The exam begins with a few questions about your health. You might read letters on a chart or look at symbols of different colours when they will test your vision.
The optometrist will use special tools to look deeper into your eyes. This will help them determine the overall health of your eyes. And don’t worry, this won’t hurt at all. You might feel a bit of irritation or dry eyes if it is your first time getting an eye exam (Most people do not experience it).
If you already wear glasses or contact lenses, the optometrist will double check your vision. If you need a new number, they will do that for you.
Why Kids Need Regular Eye Exams
Children need eye exams to make sure their vision develops properly. Sometimes, kids do not know they have vision problems. They might think everyone sees the way they do.
If kids cannot see well, it can affect their learning and activities. Eye exams can find issues like lazy eye or trouble focusing. These problems are easier to fix if they are caught early.
Why Adults Should Get Regular Eye Exams
As you grow older, your eyes can change. Even if you do not wear glasses, it is important to get your eyes checked. Eye exams can find early signs of problems like glaucoma or cataracts.
Many adults spend a lot of time looking at screens. This can cause digital eye strain. Symptoms include dry eyes, blurry vision, or headaches. Your optometrist can give you tips to reduce eye strain.
Why Seniors Need Eye Exams
Seniors are at a higher risk of eye problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. These issues can cause vision loss if they are not treated early.
Regular eye exams help seniors stay independent. Good vision makes it easier to do things like reading, driving, or enjoying hobbies.
What Happens If You Skip Eye Exams?
Skipping eye exams can lead to serious problems. Many eye diseases do not have symptoms in the beginning. By the time you notice something is wrong, it might be too late to fix.
For example, glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss if not treated. Cataracts can make your vision cloudy. Diabetic eye disease can damage your vision permanently.
Regular eye exams help find these problems early, making them easier to treat.
How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy Between Exams
Eye exams are important, but you can also take steps every day to protect your eyes:
- Always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV damage. Yes, sunglasses have a functional purpose too.
- While working or entertaining yourself, take breaks from screens. Look at something far away every 20 minutes or so.
- Make sure to incorporate foods like carrots, oranges, and nuts. They will do wonders for your eyes.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your eyes hydrated. If you wear glasses, splashing your eyes with water every few hours will be helpful.
- Do not smoke. Smoking is also bad for your eyes.
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today
Do not wait for a problem to visit your optometrist. Regular eye exams are the best way to keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear.
If you have not had an eye exam in a while, book one today. It is a small step that makes a big difference.
Your eyes will thank you.