Regular eye exams are extremely important, and if you haven’t visited your doctor or an optometrist in a while then 2018 is the best time to make things right. Times change and so do your eyes. Good vision is crucial for humans, and unlike our teeth or ears, our eyes do not always hurt when something is wrong. Among your list of many New Year’s resolutions, make sure to add “Eye checkup” for the following reasons:
1. Numerous Eye Issues Come with Zero Symptoms
Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that is usually referred to as the “sneaky sight thief”. Conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration develop very slowly that you might not even realize that your vision has deteriorated. Early detection of these and other eye troubles is essential for maintaining a healthy vision.
The earlier an eye problem is identified, the greater chance of a successful treatment you will have. This is particularly true of the elderly and children.
2. An Eye Checkup Can Help You Identify Serious Medical Conditions
The eye is the only part of the body where doctors can get a clear picture of blood vessels, connecting tissues and nerves, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The eyes have a unique communication role with other body parts since they reflect medical conditions present somewhere else. Even a minute dot in a blood vessel might be detected during an eye exam, which could prove to be a potential sign of cancer or a mass that could result in stroke.
A lot of optometrists and eye doctors are qualified enough to tell when an eye condition is a sign of something more serious. For instance, eye twitching may be a symptom of a nerve or brain disorder, something that you wouldn’t be able to guess without professional intervention. Other possible medical issues good eye doctors can detect include high blood pressure, diabetes, STDs, autoimmune diseases, stroke, head trauma, macular degeneration, and brain bleeding. Plus, a good eye doctor will explain to you the medical condition and even recommend you a good doctor.
3. Better Quality of Life
Good quality vision translates to a better lifestyle. When you can see well, you are able to make the most out of life. Plus, if you already wear spectacles, a little advice regarding current designer labels from your optometrist will help you stay ahead of the eyewear fashion.
The American Optometric Association has developed guidelines for the frequency of eye checkups, where detailed exams should be scheduled at:
- Age 6 months
- Age 3
- Age 5 – 6 – prior to entering 1st grade and every two years afterward
- Age 18 – 60 – every two years
- Age 61 and older – every year.
If you are experiencing unusual eye symptoms or have a medical history, then you should be seeing an optometrist for comprehensive eye exams more often.
