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Our eyes are constantly in use, and we often take them for granted. However, they are one of our most important senses and need to be taken care of. While eye health is dependent on many aspects, regular eye exams play an important role in maintaining the health of the eyes.

How Often Do I Need An Eye Exam?

The recommended time frame for American adults to get their eyes checked is once a year. This recommendation stems from the understanding that some eye diseases do not show symptoms in their early stages, which can lead to vision loss without treatment. By getting your eyes checked every year, your optometrist will be able to catch any eye problems at their earliest stages and help treat them before your vision is impacted. Of course, if you’ve recently been diagnosed with an eye condition or you’re experiencing symptoms of a vision problem, it’s important to get your eyes checked as soon as possible. Routine eye exams are an important part of protecting and maintaining the health of your eyes and vision!

Remember, routine eye exams also include checking your visual acuity and screening for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and other retinal disorders which have no visible symptoms.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology Believes Everyone Should Get An Eye Exam Every Year. Why Are Yearly Eye Exams Important?

An annual eye health exam is important because your eye professionals can catch and treat many vision conditions in their early stages when they’re easier to treat. A yearly visit is your best opportunity to detect common or rare eye diseases early and prevent vision loss. Many serious eye health conditions have no symptoms in their early stages. Regular exams allow your eye doctor to get a good look at the back of your eyes and examine them for any signs of damage or disease.

Even if you don’t have any vision problems now, you should see an optometrist regularly to check for changes in your vision and overall health. Increased risk of certain chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can be first detected during an eye exam. During your visit, your doctor will also measure your eyes’ ability to focus and look for any other signs of abnormalities. By detecting these potential problems early on, your optometrist can provide appropriate treatment to keep them from getting worse. 

Home Care

In addition to visiting an eye care professional once a year for a comprehensive eye exam, there are a few things you can do at home to protect your vision and your overall health and wellness. The following list includes several home-based eye care actions you can perform every day to preserve good ocular health.

• Eat a healthy diet full of colorful fruits and vegetables to encourage good eye health.
• Wear sunglasses when outdoors to protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.
• Stop smoking; nicotine harms your blood vessels and can contribute to macular degeneration.
• Use your medications as prescribed and follow up on doctor’s orders if you experience any side effects.

An Eye Exam Can Catch Eye Problems Early When They Are Most Treatable

Your local eye specialist has the equipment and expertise necessary to detect potential problems before they worsen. So even if you haven’t had an eye exam in a while, now is the time to schedule a visit! In addition to diagnosing and treating ocular diseases, your local dentist can also screen for glaucoma and cataracts. Call our office today to schedule an eye exam.