The Importance of Annual Eye Exams

When people think about taking care of their health, they often think of going to the doctor or dentist. Few of them think about eye exams. However, eye care is just as critical. The importance of regular eye exams goes beyond just ensuring your vision is clear. 

It would help to understand that your eyes are a window to your body. So, annual comprehensive eye exams at every life stage and age can help protect your eye, vision, and overall health.

What are Annual Eye Exams?

Eye care professionals recommend annual comprehensive eye exams from age eight onward. The examinations help eye doctors diagnose and treat eye and vision conditions and other disorders. Tests that your eye doctor may perform during your annual exam include the following:
 

• Preliminary tests that may include evaluations of eye muscle movement, depth perception, peripheral vision, color vision, and how your pupils react to incoming light

• Optical perception

• Visual acuity

• Digital retinal imaging

• Eye focusing

• Eye pressure test

• Ophthalmoscopy

• Slit-lamp test

Reasons to Undergo Annual Eye Exams

Eye doctors recommend annual eye exams for everyone, especially individuals over age 50. It is best not to wait until you experience an eye or vision problem to visit your doctor. Some of the benefits of annual comprehensive eye exams include the following:

Only Your Eye Doctor Can Know for Sure

There are many different vision and eye conditions, and many of them can go unnoticed for years. Some do not present any symptoms at first. A comprehensive eye exam by a qualified eye doctor is necessary to spot such conditions in their initial stages when treatment is most effective. Your eye doctor may also identify other issues like diabetes or high blood pressure before your primary physician does. 

Regular Eye Exams Can Change Your Life

Early treatment is critical to prevent certain eye conditions from causing vision loss or blindness. Some of these include the following:
 

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Cataracts

• Age-related macular degeneration

• Glaucoma

Experts estimate that about 93 million American adults are at high risk for vision loss. Unfortunately, only half of these underwent a comprehensive eye exam in the past 12 months. Regular eye care can change the lives of millions of people. 

Awareness of Prescription Changes

Even a tiny change in your vision can affect your prescription. You can ensure your eye prescription is always current by undergoing annual vision screenings.

Identification of Overall Health Concerns

Your eye doctor can use your annual appointments to determine your overall health. A comprehensive examination of your eyes can help him/her discover several significant health issues. These include hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, tumors, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. 

Regular comprehensive eye examinations are just as important as your annual physicals. Many eye doctors view the overall well-being of their patients as their top priority. So, schedule yearly appointments with your eye doctor to promote and protect your eye and vision health all year.

For more on the importance of annual eye exams, visit Dr. Dorys P. Vargas Optometrist, Inc., at our Ontario, California office. Call (909) 563-3120 to schedule an appointment today.