Whether you’re experiencing vision changes or not, regular eye exams help you maintain eye health. During routine eye check-ups, an optometrist uses different tests to identify underlying eye health issues and offer proper treatment. Here are some benefits of regular eye exams:
Detect Vision Problems Early
Many vision problems develop slowly without noticeable symptoms, so people often don’t realize they need treatment until the issue has worsened. Patients with vision issues like farsightedness, astigmatism, and nearsightedness find it difficult to read, drive, and work without treatment. During regular eye exams, an optometrist uses an eye chart to test how well you can see at different distances.
This expert may ask about your symptoms, including blurred vision, headaches, or eye strain. Based on the results, an eye care specialist may prescribe glasses or contact lenses to help rectify vision issues. For certain vision problems, such as eye coordination issues, vision therapy, which involves exercises, may improve eye function.
Identify Eye Diseases
Consistent eye check-ups help identify eye diseases like cataracts. This condition clouds your eye’s lens, causing sensitivity to light and bad sight. During your appointment, an eye doctor checks you for glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve due to increased pressure in the eye. Tests may also reveal the presence of macular degeneration. This condition affects the central part of the retina, leading to loss of central sight.
A specialist detects dry eye disease, in which the eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears don’t work properly, causing discomfort, redness, and poor vision. Doctors may prescribe eye drops to allow the lacrimal glands to produce tears and manage these symptoms. For cataracts, surgery is performed to replace the damaged natural lens with an artificial one. If the glaucoma is severe, a healthcare provider performs surgery to create a new drainage pathway.
Allow for Updated Prescriptions
Due to age or various health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, your vision will slowly change, which means you need to adjust the strength and type of lenses you use. Wearing glasses or contact lenses that are not properly prescribed can lead to discomfort, including headaches, eye strain, and fatigue. During eye exams, an eye doctor checks for differences in your sight and offers an updated prescription.
When your glasses or contact lenses are correctly prescribed, you may experience clearer and more focused vision, making daily tasks easier. You may choose progressive lenses, anti-reflective coatings, or blue light-blocking lenses, which enhance comfort during screen time. If you wear contacts, an updated prescription lets you receive the right fit and lens type for your eyes, preventing headaches.
Prevent Eye Strain
Frequent use of digital devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, causes eye strain. If left untreated, this issue can result in dry eyes, headaches, and neck pain. During an eye exam, your eye doctor evaluates not only your vision but also how your eyes respond to screen use.
This expert performs tests to gauge how effectively your eyes focus and adjust to various lighting conditions. To reduce glare and enhance comfort, an eye care specialist prescribes glass with anti-reflective coatings. They also guide you on how long to spend on screens and when to take breaks to avoid straining your eyes.
Schedule an Appointment With an Optometrist
Routine eye exams enable an optometrist to detect eye diseases and vision issues before they worsen and impact your life. During your appointment, this specialist checks for sight changes and provides new lenses or glasses to help you see clearly. To get checked for eye health issues, call a trusted clinic today to book an appointment.
