Care for Your Eyes Well to Preserve Your Good Vision

Why See An Eye Doctor Annually?

13 July 2020 by Ben Richardson

Eye doctors perform eye exams for patients of all ages. These eye exams can help you maintain your vision and eye health. Adults with perfect vision can choose to see the eye doctor every few years if they prefer. However, there are some advantages to making an appointment with your eye doctor once a year. These are four reasons you may need to see an eye doctor annually.

1. You wear glasses or contacts.

People with myopia or hyperopia experience blurred vision when looking at objects far away or nearby, respectively. Glasses or contacts can correct these vision imbalances. For many people who wear glasses and contacts, their vision is a changing thing. You should go to the eye doctor once a year for a new vision test, which will allow your doctor to track vision changes and update your prescription.

2. You have diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when a person cannot properly metabolize sugar because their body does not produce enough insulin. Diabetes affects blood sugar, but it can also affect a person's eyes. People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from glaucoma, a condition that occurs due to high eye pressure. High eye pressure can impinge the optic nerve, which may eventually lead to irreversible blindness. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it's crucial that you see your eye doctor for an annual exam. Glaucoma can be treated if it's caught before lasting damage occurs.

3. Eye problems run in your family.

Some eye problems are genetic. For instance, macular degeneration typically occurs as a patient gets older. The condition can't be cured, but the symptoms can be mitigated, allowing the patient to continue to enjoy the best vision possible for them. Macular degeneration tends to run in families. If you know older family members have experienced this problem, seeing your eye doctor every year for screening is worthwhile.

4. You want to make sure your eyes stay healthy.

Finally, anyone who values their eyes and wants to make sure they're healthy can benefit from annual eye exams. During an eye exam, your optometrist will test your eye pressure, peripheral vision, ability to focus, and more. They can also test the quality of your tears and prescribe medication if you suffer from chronic eye dryness. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your eye health. Preventative care will ensure you maintain good vision that will allow you to do all the activities you care about.

Share

Search