According to the CDC, over 11 million Americans ages 12 and over need vision correction, and many of these individuals believe that there is nothing wrong with their vision or eye health. Regular eye exams are often scheduled less frequently than primary care or dental exams even though individual eye health is just as critical.
Here, the eye health professionals at Levin Eyecare explain why regular eye exams should be taken as seriously as any other doctor’s appointments, as they can have a significant impact on your overall eye health and vision.
Why Should I See an Eye Doctor Regularly?
Unfortunately, vision problems can often go unnoticed, as individuals can sometimes grow used to their inadequate vision and fail to realize the extent to which vision could be improved with prescription glasses or contacts. In addition, many eye conditions are symptom-free and can go unnoticed for an extended period of time if not diagnosed by an eye doctor; that is why regularly scheduled, comprehensive eye exams are necessary for catching common eye diseases early on to begin treatment right away. In addition to discovering eye-related diseases, eye doctors can even spot other conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure by examining the eye; this can occur during pupil dilation, which is a method of treatment that eye doctors use to check for problems inside the eye.
During a complete eye exam, also known as a dilated eye exam, an eye doctor widens the pupil with eye drops so they can get a closer look at the inside of the eye. This type of eye exam should be completed regularly as recommended by your eye doctor.
What Eye Diseases Can Eye Doctors Diagnose and Treat?
While some eye diseases are common and treatable with an early diagnosis, if left untreated they can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness. Some conditions that eye doctors can diagnose and treat include cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Cataracts, which is a clouding of the lens of the eye, is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in American adults and damages the blood vessels in the back of the eye. Glaucoma is described as a group of diseases that can create damage to the optic nerve, and macular degeneration is the breakdown of light-sensitive tissue in the eye that occurs with age.
How Often Should I See the Eye Doctor?
The experienced eye specialists at Levin Eyecare recommend a visit to the eye doctor at least once a year for everyone. Additionally, individuals with a higher risk of developing eye diseases or conditions, such as individuals with diabetes, a family history of glaucoma and other eye diseases, previous eye surgery or eye trauma should consult their eye doctor to determine how frequently they should schedule exams.
Though eye health concerns typically develop with age, it may be necessary to schedule regular eye exams for children as well. Amblyopia, which is reduced vision as a result of a disconnect between the eye and the brain, is the most common cause of vision loss in children. Therefore, it is important to schedule regular vision screenings for your children as recommended by your doctor.
Schedule an Eye Exam With Levin Eyecare Today
Because many treatable eye conditions often have no symptoms early on, it is important to be proactive with your eye health and schedule regular eye exams to prevent common eye diseases. Take control of your eye health and schedule an appointment with an eye doctor at Levin Eyecare today!