Most opticians recommend that you get your eyes tested at least every couple of years, and more often if you experience any problems with your vision. However, many of us don’t feel the need to book an appointment at all unless we start to notice a decline in our eyesight. To persuade you otherwise, here are three reasons why having regular eye tests is important.
- To check the health of your eyes
In addition to checking your vision, an eye test also examines the health of your eyes. This is important even if you don’t have any issues with your eyesight because many health conditions that affect the eyes are not immediately noticeable to us. An eye test can detect health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even certain types of cancer.
If you have any noticeable symptoms, an eye test is also the best way to work out what’s causing them. This is vital because the sooner these health conditions are diagnosed, the sooner you can start looking at treatment – and the more likely it is to be effective. There are plenty of effective methods of treatment for eye conditions. For example, if you are diagnosed with cataracts, you can have a simple surgery by searching for ‘cataract surgery near me’ to remove the clouded lens and replace it with an IOL (intraoptic lens) to restore clear vision.
- To check your vision
The most obvious reason to have an eye test is to check the quality of your vision. This goes far beyond reading the famous eye chart consisting of smaller and smaller letters! Your optician will test a wide range of aspects of your eyesight, including your color vision, peripheral vision, and the acuity of both your near and distant vision. Other factors that can be tested include how well your eyes work together, how smooth your eye movements are, and your depth perception.
If this array of tests detects any deficiencies in your eyesight that require corrective lenses, you can get the appropriate prescription straight away. Then you can choose a pair of glasses you like, or book a second appointment with a content lens specialist if you’d rather opt for those. If you’re unsure, your optician can advise you on whether glasses or contacts are best suited to your eyesight needs and lifestyle.
- To educate yourself on the best way to care for your eyes
Regardless of whether you have any vision problems or health conditions that affect your eyes, it’s worth speaking to your optician about the best way to look after them. For instance, if you work on a computer, they can suggest ways to minimize the negative impacts of screen time on your eyes, as well as supplements you can take to ensure you’re getting the vitamins you need. Other tips include wearing sunglasses to shield your eyes from UV radiation, sleeping well to allow your eyes time to rehydrate, and exercising regularly to boost blood and oxygen circulation.
