Eye examinations are a significant part of staying healthy, but a lot of people skip their yearly eye exams. An optometrist like Kathleen Andersen , OD can help detect major health problems through yearly eye examinations including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Also, regular eye examinations can help kids optimize their academic performance. So when should you visit your eye doctor? If you are not sure, here are signs it may be time to visit an optometrist:
You are 40 Years Old and Have Never Visited an Optometrist
Did you know that eyesight starts to change dramatically after age 40? An optometrist can recommend measures you can take to preserve your vision while you age. Also, your eyes can show signs of diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Early detection and treatment results in better outcomes.
It’s Been a Long Time Since Your Eye Exam
You must see an optometrist yearly if you have vision problems, if you use contacts or glasses, or have extra risk factors like diabetes, a family history of eye conditions, and high blood pressure. Depending on your eyesight, an optometrist may want you to see them twice or more a year. Early detection is essential for a lot of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and retinopathy. You may need to see your optometrist every 2 years if you experience symptoms or have problems with your eyes.
You Have Health Conditions that Impact Your Eyes
Some health conditions like diabetes impact your eyes. This can result in glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or cataracts. Yearly visits to an optometrist are necessary to monitor your eye health. In addition, a family history of eye disease should be enough reason to see an eye doctor and get an eye exam.
You Experience Eye or Vision Problems
Vision problems may take place suddenly or evolve more abruptly. If you are struggling to read regular text or traffic signs, you should schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. Do not ignore signs such as any vision changes, difficulty driving at night, halos or circles around lights, double vision, problems focusing on reading materials, eye pain, headaches, seeing light flashes, motion sickness, and seeing floaters.
You Suffer from Eye Strain
Reading, driving, and using a computer are regular tasks that can lead to eye strain. Fatigue, stress, and uncorrected refractive errors can boost your risk of this condition. This can also happen if you have too much screen time. Headaches, dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain, and blurred vision usually characterize eye strain. Those who suffer from this condition can also experience itchy or burning eyes, sensitivity to light, and poor focus. If you have these symptoms, see an eye doctor as soon as possible.
You Have Eye Infections
When the cells on or near your eye’s surface are infected, you can experience symptoms such as dull pain, red discoloration, itchiness, swelling, and potential discharge. Sometimes, conjunctivitis can develop from allergies; however, if it results from an infection, it is known as pink eye. This happens when the conjunctiva’s cells are infected by bacteria or viruses. This can result in a colored discharge that comes from the affected eye.
If a virus causes an infection, your doctor will recommend cold treatments like vitamins, time, and bed rest. Viruses will eventually die off while your immune system fights the strain that attacks your cells. However, if it is a bacterial infection, this can quickly get out of hand no matter how strong your immune system is. Topical eye creams or ointments and antibiotics can deal with bacterial conjunctivitis. An eye doctor can prescribe the right antibiotics and creams for you.
