When was the last time you had an eye exam? Many people think that we only need to visit health professionals when we are experiencing issues or have concerns about our wellbeing. However, regular eye exams are just as valuable as a preventative measure.
This is because they enable professionals to identify problems with your eye health and vision very early, when they are most treatable, and usually before they have any serious or permanent consequences for your vision. Since many eye diseases don’t cause symptoms, regular eye exams really are the best way to preserve your long-term eye health and vision.
Eye doctors recommend that everyone has an eye exam at least once every two years. This is because regular monitoring is the best way to detect any developing eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
If you have an existing eye condition, or if your eye doctor has any concerns about the health and condition of your eyes or your eyesight, they may recommend that you attend eye exams more frequently so that they can monitor you more closely. It’s important that you attend appointments at the frequency set by your eye care professional.
People who wear glasses or contact lenses may also be invited to attend appointments more frequently. This is because eye conditions like myopia are progressive, meaning that they can often get worse over time. If this happens, it’s likely that your prescription will change too, meaning that you’ll need to update your glasses or contact lenses in order to continue to be able to see clearly.
You may also be recommended to have eye exams more often if you:
Have a family history of eye disease or sudden vision loss
Have a chronic disease that puts you at greater risk of experiencing eye problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
Take medications that are known to affect your eyes
While many eye problems develop slowly over a period of months or years, there are other issues that can come on suddenly, such as acute glaucoma. You may also experience trauma or injury to your eye. If you find that you are experiencing problems with your eyes or vision in between your usual regular eye exams, don’t hesitate to contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist for advice and support.
It’s essential to always follow the advice of your eye doctor. For more information on eye exams, visit Battleground Eye Care in Greensboro, NC. Call (336) 564-6800 to schedule an appointment today.