Are you wondering if it really is important to have annual eye examinations? What you if you just passed a vision screening for work or school – do you still need an exam? The answer is YES! Vision screenings are not the same as eye examinations – they only check a small portion of your visual status and do not check for diseases or other visual issues. Here are 5 reasons why you need an annual eye examination:
- Most eye diseases cannot be detected by a person until the late stages of the disease – an optometrist can identify problems early on so they can be treated long before they get to the point of disrupting vision or causing problems.
- Technology changes in contact lenses, glasses, and sunglasses. New lens designs and coatings change frequently. Having the newest technology ensures you are protecting your eyes and giving yourself the best vision possible.
- An eye doctor can find systemic diseases before you have physical symptoms. This is true for high blood pressure, cholesterol issues, and diabetes since the eye is the only place that working blood vessels can be viewed without any invasive procedure.
- About 80% of learning is done visually – if you are going to school or working then you should be sure that your vision is as good as it can possibly be. This is especially important for children who do not have a baseline of what clear, comfortable vision is.
- Chronic inflammation found elsewhere in the body could manifest itself inside the eye. Trained eye doctors can check for this and treat appropriately as well as co-manage with your primary care physician or rheumatologist.