Why Eye Exams Are Important?

When you can enjoy excellent vision, it is a wonder why you should schedule an eye exam. But the reality is that an eye exam is not only about evaluating your sight but also checking on the healthiness of your eyes.

As a matter of fact, you may think that you already have crystal clear vision, but as soon as you receive your first pair of glasses, then the world becomes clearer than you ever imagined it could be. Needless to say, an eye exam can keep your vision strong regardless of your age or stage in life.

So, why are eye exams important?

1. They Identify Eye Diseases

According to research that was conducted by the National Eye Institute, seven million Americans have been diagnosed with glaucoma. Additionally, seven million Americans have diabetic retinopathy while one million Americans have age-related macular degeneration. As if this is not enough, twenty-four million Americans have cataracts.

In order not to be a part of the statistics, it is only wise to schedule regular eye-checkups with an optician. Underlying problems can always be identified via regular exams. Also, it is the best way of preventing full-blown eye-diseases. You know what they say, prevention is better than cure.

2. They Identify And Correct Vision Problems

Any change in your eyes will affect your overall eyesight. Eye examinations are the perfect way to identify and correct vision problems. If you are nearsighted, then prescription glasses will enable you to correct your vision problems. so that you can also see things that are far away.

Vision problems such as strabismus (cross-eyes), teaming (when the eyes do not work together) and focusing (problems with seeing and reading) can be corrected through routine exams.

3. Dealing With Existing Conditions

Conditions like hyperthyroidism, cancer, and diabetes directly impact your eyes. For those who suffer from diabetes, high blood sugar damages the vessels in their retina. This can cause scarring or permanent loss of vision. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism causes the eyes to bulge out of their sockets.

Therefore, it is best to visit an eye specialist as they will give their opinion and recommend any treatment practices. When suffering from these conditions, a simple visit to the doctor is the difference between vision loss, consistent eye problems, and good vision. Even when suffering from such conditions and do not notice changes with your eyesight, eye exams will go a long way in diagnosing potential problems and preserving your eyesight.

Regular eye exams ensure the proper development of eyesight for children. This is highly significant as they can carry underlying eyesight problems into their adulthood. According to the American Optometric Association, eye exams for children should be scheduled at six months and three years of age (just before school). Then regular visits thereafter.

As an adult, it is important to remember that our bodies weaken as we age. Eye conditions like cataracts, presbyopia and macular degeneration can slowly but surely catch up with us. This is why annual eye examinations are recommended. A majority of serious eye conditions are preventable and treatable with proper treatment and care.