This is why it is so important to see an ophthalmologist

Regular visits to your doctor are essential for staying healthy, regardless of how old you are. You need regular eye exams to make sure your eyes are working properly and nothing is imposing threats on them. Most people with refractive errors see their eye doctor about once a year to update their prescription.

Having your eyes examined periodically helps eliminate any risks or fears of having infected eyes. Since ophthalmologists treat almost all eye-related diseases, you will be rest assured to be in the safest hands and your eyes in the best care. If you’re a young adult who is otherwise not at high risk for any hereditary eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, seeing an optometrist every one to two years is probably enough. Check with your eye doctor to determine how often to see them based on their recommendation.

Regular Eye Exams Can Save Your Vision

Early detection of diseases lead to early treatment. When it comes to eye health, it’s all about preventative maintenance, the more reason why anyone at risk for conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy should have regular eye exams. The only way to spot these conditions early is through regular comprehensive eye exams.

When you are diagnosed with an eye disease, your ophthalmologist can recommend prompt treatment, often at their office or facility. They will work with you to find a treatment plan that works for you and slows or even stops any further damage from the disease.

Visiting Your Doctor

Don’t skip your annual eye doctor visit because you think you can see just fine. Eye exams are not only for people with poor vision, they are actually an important way to find eye problems before symptoms show up. Your eye doctor can also diagnose other problems, like diabetes, early on and be able to prevent further damage.

If it is your first visit to your new eye doctor, allow an hour or two. That includes time to get the exam and to get fitted for prescription if you need any. The doctor will ask about your general health and any family history of eye problems, check your close and distance vision through reading charts from random letters. The doctor may also test other aspects of your vision- like your ability to see in 3D, your side vision (called peripheral vision), and color perception.

Tonometry– this is a test for glaucoma. After numbing your eye with an eye drop, the doctor will measure the eye pressure with a puff of air or by using a device called a tonometer.

Eye Exam– the doctor will check all the parts of your eye, you may need drops to dilate or widen your pupils. This gives the doctor a clear view of the inside of your eye. You might need to wear sunglasses for a few hours since these drops makes you sensitive to light until they wear off.

Everyone needs an eye exam. You’ll need to get checkups more often if you have health conditions or a family history of vision problems like glaucoma, severe irritation or corneal diseases.