Why Do I Need Regular Eye Exams Even If My Vision Seems Fine?

Do you skip your annual eye exam because your vision seems perfectly clear? You may be risking your eye health. Regular comprehensive eye exams are vital, even if you have no noticeable vision problems.
 

Keep Up With Prescriptions

The main reason for eye exams is to check if your prescription needs updating. Your eyes change, so glasses and contact lens prescriptions need regular adjustments. Skipping exams can lead to unnecessary eyestrain and headaches from outdated prescriptions. An exam catches changes early so you maintain excellent vision.

Detect Hidden Issues

Routine eye exams also check for hidden issues and early signs of severe eye diseases. Some potentially blinding conditions have no obvious symptoms in the early stages. Only a dilated eye exam can detect problems, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and macular degeneration, when most treatable. Catching them early preserves your vision.

Identify Health Concerns

The eyes provide a window into overall health. A comprehensive eye exam can uncover health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Eye exams can also detect neurological issues, autoimmune disorders, and cancers. Your eye doctor may be the first to identify these systemic diseases. Prompt treatment improves your prognosis.

Prevent Permanent Vision Loss

Many eye diseases are symptomless at first. With regular eye exams, you may take advantage of the opportunity to halt vision loss. For example, glaucoma causes gradual peripheral vision loss. By the time you notice missing vision, you may sustain irreparable damage. Annual exams detect glaucoma early when eye drops and other treatments are most effective at slowing or stopping vision loss.

Maintain Eye Comfort

Eye exams ensure you have the correct prescriptions for maximum comfort. Outdated contacts and glasses prescriptions can cause discomfort, including eye fatigue, dry eyes, headaches, and neck and shoulder pain. An updated prescription keeps your vision correction optimized for comfort. Your doctor can also recommend lubricating eye drops and other treatments to relieve discomfort.

Safeguard Children's Vision

Undetected vision issues can impair learning in school-age kids. Regular eye exams ensure your child sees clearly and has healthy eyes free of problems. The doctor can prescribe glasses or contacts, vision therapy, and medications to optimize academic performance and eye health.

Protect Eyes From UV Rays

Exposure to UV radiation raises the risks of cataracts, macular degeneration, and eyelid cancers. Your eye doctor will check for early warning signs at your annual exam. He can also recommend sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays. It would be best to protect your eyes from sun damage year-round.

Monitor Eye Health With Age

Eyes change rapidly with age, making regular exams critical for seniors. Screening at the exam can catch age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and dry eyes in time to treat them. Your doctor can suggest strategies like eye vitamin supplements to support eye health. More frequent exams help monitor eyes closely.

Discuss Eye Exam Results With Your Doctor

Speak with your eye doctor about the findings from your eye exam and their suggestions for your next visit. To get glasses and contacts, follow what the doctor says. Also, consider treatment options and ways to reduce risk. Clarify any confusing results and instructions. Before leaving, set a date for your next yearly eye exam.

Bottom Line

Protect your vision and general health by scheduling annual eye exams. Add the appointment to your calendar so you never miss this essential preventive care. Drive to the exam wearing your current vision correction. Bring insurance cards and a list of medications. Know your family history of eye disease. Relax during the exam and discuss any concerns openly with your doctor. Make comprehensive eye exams a healthy lifelong habit.
 

For more on comprehensive eye exams, visit Coers Family Eyecare at our Columbus, Indiana, office. Call (812) 408-8400 to schedule an appointment today.