Visiting the optometrist is essential, especially in this technological age. Children and adults are using computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets more than ever before, which can harm their eyesight and overall health due to the blue light they emit. The good news is regular eye exams can prevent vision loss and help you live a more comfortable life. Here are the reasons you should make an appointment with your optometrist soon.

Better Eye Health

While vision screenings are helpful, a comprehensive eye exam is the only way to ensure healthy eyes. A licensed doctor of optometry or ophthalmologist is the only person who can diagnose and treat serious health problems like glaucoma and cataracts. our optometrist will compile a comprehensive patient profile that includes vision history, other health complications, medications, and lifestyle choices. Then, they will recommend the proper routine and corrective eyewear for your unique circumstances. When you see an optometrist regularly, your health is enhanced, and various symptoms can be detected early – such as red eyes, blurred vision, halos around lights, loss of color, and mysterious eye floaters. Early detection makes it easier to find a solution to the problem. It also helps prevent it from getting worse and potentially causing additional damage to your eye health.

Early Detection of Eye Diseases

Many people only visit the eye doctor if they think something is wrong or have a vision problem. Unfortunately, that means they do not get their eyes checked early when it is easier to treat the disease. Regular visits to the optometrist are the best way to detect an eye disease in its earliest stages. This helps avoid further damage and can save the patient from needing surgery. The doctors can also check for other diseases affecting the eye, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. This is because the eyes are a window to the body and can indicate other health issues that must be addressed. This is why optometrists are essential to a patient’s preventative healthcare routine.

Early Detection of Foreign Bodies

During a standard eye exam, optometrists take the patient’s medical history, perform vision tests (reading letters on a Snellen chart of diminishing sizes), and conduct a refraction test (flipping back and forth between different lenses to fine-tune prescriptions). Patients with suspected ocular foreign body injuries may dilate the pupil and examine the posterior segment. This allows them to assess for penetrating foreign bodies or vegetative material that may lead to a fungal corneal ulcer. This also helps them understand if the injury was projectile and may indicate the need to refer the patient for CT or MRI. These referrals help prevent the need to drive a potentially ocularly injured patient to an emergency room for further evaluation and treatment.

Better Vision

We all know that going to the doctor and the dentist is essential for overall health. However, visiting an optometrist can reveal clues about your eyes’ long-term vision and even severe medical conditions such as diabetes and cataracts. Consistent eye exams can help prevent the need for surgery or other expensive treatments. Poor vision can also make everyday activities such as driving and reading more difficult, increasing your risk for accidents. And if you have trouble seeing steps and obstacles, it can also make falling more dangerous. When you have group vision insurance, you can visit your optometrist regularly to get the care that helps protect your vision and eyes. Plus, you’ll enjoy choice, convenience, and savings with a vast network of providers and online shopping options.

Better Eye Comfort

Most people don’t visit their optometrists until they experience eye problems. In many cases, however, a few routine visits could prevent future complications. If needed, your optometrist can help you manage your eye health and vision with routine tests and prescriptions for contact lenses or eyeglasses. They will conduct a refraction assessment, which involves showing patients a series of lens choices and asking them to choose the clearer one.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, your prescription must be updated periodically to account for changes in refractive status, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism. This helps ensure that you see things clearly and comfortably. It also ensures you’re not wearing incorrect lenses, which can cause other issues.