Most people have busy lives, so it can be easy to forget to schedule regular eye exams, especially if you feel your vision is fine. Getting an eye exam is about more than your vision, though, and should be part of your overall healthcare routine. When was the last time you got an eye exam? We’ll share five top reasons you should prioritize your eye health, vision, and overall wellness by scheduling an eye exam.

Prevent Serious Eye Diseases

It may surprise you to learn that there are serious, sight-threatening eye diseases that don’t have any symptoms in the early stages.

Glaucoma is a progressive disease which will damage your sight and is characterized by lack of symptoms in the early stages. Many people with glaucoma don’t even realize they have it! Diabetic eye disease can also cause vision loss in diabetics, and there may be mild or no symptoms in the early stages. Macular degeneration is another serious eye disease without symptoms in the early stages and progresses gradually, so by the time you notice vision loss, the disease is in an advanced stage.

The best way to prevent vision loss from serious eye disease is to get regular eye exams where they can be diagnosed and treated.

Detect Underlying Health Issues

Did you know that your retina, that light-sensitive layer in the back of your eye, is the only place in your body where blood vessels can be seen directly? It is for this reason that your eye doctor can spot underlying health issues of which you may not be aware, such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, because of their impact on blood vessels in the body.

Your Vision May Be Changing

You may feel like your vision is fine, but vision changes over time and we can adjust to changes without being fully aware of it. Even small changes in your vision can affect how you feel every day while working, driving, and engaging in other daily activities. Being able to see your best is important!

Digital Eye Strain

The American Optometric Association states that the average American worker spends seven hours a day on a computer either in the office or while working from home. The high visual demands of looking at screens of various sizes throughout the day can cause headaches, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain, eyestrain, and dry eyes. Symptoms can be worsened by an improper viewing distance from the computer, poor lighting, and uncorrected vision problems. Getting an eye exam will diagnose any vision problem and you may also need eyeglasses with special lenses to alleviate digital eye strain.

Get an Updated Prescription

If you currently wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to see, then you need regular eye exams to assess your vision and to get an updated prescription. As mentioned, vision can change frequently, so even if you feel your vision is fine, you may be surprised to learn during an eye exam that it can be better with a change in the prescription!

Make an Appointment for Your Eye Exam Today

Dr. Stephen Dincher and the team at Lighthouse Vision in Milford, CT provide comprehensive eye health and vision exams for all members of the family. Prioritize your health and book an eye exam today!

Call 203-783-9632 to schedule an eye exam.