Sometimes we often neglect our eyes when it comes to looking after our general health and wellbeing.
It is integral that we have our regular eye checks, below 3 reasons (amongst many others) why it’s that important – because after all what would you do without your eyes?
- Myopia is becoming an epidemic.
- Vision screenings are no substitute for an eye exam.
- Glaucoma
- Annual eye exams can detect other serious health problems.
At Eyecare Network, we have seen an increase in the number of children who are developing myopia (near-nearsightedness) and are being diagnosed with myopia at a much earlier age than before.
This is a huge concern as those who become myopic at an earlier age tend to experience a progression (worsening) of their myopia. This in turn increases their risk of sight-threatening eye diseases later in life such as glaucoma, retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy.
Scheduling regular eye exams is the best way to assess your child’s risk of myopia. When detected early, myopia management treatment programs can be taken to slow the progression of myopia and thus, reduce your child’s risk of serious eye problems later in life.
More often than not, parents are believe that their child is seeing well because they passed a “school” vision screening. Or adults even think they see perfectly because they pass a basic vision test whilst renewing their license or sitting at the doctors surgery. Neither of these beliefs are correct.
Vision screenings are just that — they screen out individuals who have serious (and usually quite obvious) vision problems. Subtle visual problems that can have long term effects are often missed in these screenings.
Glaucoma is also known as the sneaky thief of sight. It’s earned this nickname as there are no noticeable symptoms in early glaucoma.
People who fail to have routine eye exams and develop glaucoma typically become aware of it only after they’ve sustained permanent vision loss from the disease. And by that time, controlling glaucoma to prevent additional vision loss can be very difficult.
Early detection of glaucoma and its risk factors such as high eye pressure is possible only with routine eye exams.
Most people don’t believe it, but did you know that many people first learn and discover that they have serious health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol for example, just from a routine eye examination.
During a comprehensive eye exam, our optometrists can observe and evaluate the health and condition of the blood vessels in your retina, which are a good predictor of the health of blood vessels throughout your body. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia all are visible by changes in the appearance of the blood vessels in our eyes!
Don’t put it off — schedule an eye exam today
Even if you think you have perfect vision, an annual eye exam can be one of the best things you can do to protect the overall health and wellness of you and your loved ones.
Don’t put if off any longer — click the Book an Appointment button above to make an appointment today!
