Regular eye exams might not seem like a big deal if your vision is fine. But those exams are very important for helping maintain good vision, especially as you get older. In fact, about 93 million American adults are at high risk of “serious vision loss,” according to the CDC — yet only half of those people have had an eye exam within the past year.
At Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts, our team offers comprehensive eye exams to help patients in Bellmore and Great Neck, New York, maintain good vision and prevent eye problems, including problems that cause few symptoms in their earliest stages. Here are six reasons why you shouldn’t skip your next eye exam.
You might think that if you don’t have symptoms, you don’t have eye problems — but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Many serious eye diseases, including glaucoma, cause few or no symptoms in their earliest stages. When symptoms do occur, they can be very subtle.
Regular eye exams look for tiny changes and signs associated with eye diseases in their earliest stages. That means treatment can begin immediately before you notice a loss in vision.
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, regular eye exams ensure your prescription is kept up to date. An older prescription can lead to headaches and eye strain, even if you still see clearly through your lenses.
If you have contacts, regular exams are even more crucial. That’s because your lenses rest on the surface of your eye (your corneas), and routine exams check your eyes for signs of corneal damage.
If you have diabetes, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or another chronic eye disease, regular exams are an essential part of monitoring your condition and ensuring your treatment plan stays on track. Skipping an appointment can significantly increase your risk of permanent vision loss, including total blindness.
Eye exams uncover more than just eye-related problems. Most people are surprised to learn that an eye exam can also reveal clues to other diseases, including:
Your eye exam can even uncover early warning signs associated with strokes.
That’s right; regular eye exams can help your mood, too. The reason is simple: We use our eyes for nearly everything we do during our waking lives, from work and school to socializing, getting around, and relaxing. It’s not surprising that even a simple vision problem can have a pretty dramatic effect on our lives.
When vision limits our activities, it can quickly lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. By identifying and treating eye and vision problems early, we can avoid those negative feelings while feeling more in control of our lives.
This one probably goes without saying, but if it’s been a while since your last exam, it’s worth repeating: Eye exams are completely painless and noninvasive.
A dilated exam will make your “up-close” vision a little blurry for a few hours afterward, and your eyes will be sensitive to light during that time, too. But those effects wear off quickly, so you can return to your regular activities.
Having regular eye exams offers another benefit, too. Your exam allows your provider to customize your eye care to your specific needs, risk factors, and lifestyle to help you enjoy a lifetime of clear vision and healthy eyes.
If you’re ready to schedule your eye exam, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts today.
