annual eye exam

7 Important Reasons to Always Schedule an Annual Eye Exam

Over one billion people in the world have an untreated visual impairment that could have been prevented or mitigated. If you have 20/20 vision, you might think you can skip going to the eye doctor. This mistake can have ramifications for both your eyesight and your health!

Everyone can benefit from an annual eye exam, even if you think you have healthy eyes. Every age group has different risk factors for different optical problems, so an annual eye exam can prevent many eye and health issues.

I have a great relationship with the optical shop near me. I’ve never missed an annual eye exam. They have a full history of my eyes, and I always feel confident that I am being taken care of. You should feel the same way!

Read on to learn about some of the reasons why you should always schedule your annual eye exam!

1. Your Eyes Change Over Time

If you’re given a clean bill of health during your annual physical, would you assume you’ll be healthy forever and never go back? Of course not! Your body changes and health issues can develop at any time.

The same thing is true for your eyes. The condition of your eyes can change over years, months, or even weeks. Almost everyone’s eyesight degrades over time.

If you’ve never had to wear a prescription before, that could change as you age. If you already have a prescription, your prescription can change. Visiting your doctor can ensure that you’re wearing an updated prescription and are maintaining clear eyesight.

2. Catch Myopia Early

Myopia, or near-sightedness, is nearing epidemic levels. Myopia is becoming increasingly common in children and teens, partially due to increased screen time. 

Many parents assume that their kids have good eyesight because they passed their school vision test, or their driver’s license eye test. However, neither of these tests conveys the whole picture. They don’t test for general eye health or disease, and they only filter for severe vision problems. 

It is only through a comprehensive annual eye exam with an optometrist that myopia can be caught at its early stages.

Early-onset myopia can get worse over time. It’s also a precursor to more severe conditions like retinal detachment, cataracts, or glaucoma. All of these can lead to loss of sight. 

Catching myopia early can help prevent some of these complications, and aid in the learning process of kids and teens. Limited eyesight can cause unnecessary difficulties in the classroom.

3. Glaucoma Detection

Glaucoma encompasses a few diseases that degrade the optic nerve. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss and is one of the leading causes of blindness today. If you’re over the age of 60, you’re susceptible to glaucoma. 

Glaucoma is generally painless and can progress to the point of severity before you’re even aware something’s wrong. The CDC reports that 50% of people with glaucoma are unaware they have it! 

Staying up to date on your annual eye exam is one way to guarantee that you’re aware of your glaucoma status. Catching it early is the best way to ensure a good outcome.

4. Detect Underlying Health Issues

Your annual eye exam can do more for your health than fix your vision. Your optometrist can detect underlying health problems ranging from high cholesterol to cancer. 

During the exam, your optometrist checks the blood vessels in your retina. The state of the blood vessels in your eyes reveals a lot about the condition of the blood in your body. This can reveal high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  

Diabetics are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, where high blood sugar can cause damage to the vessels in the retina, leading to scarring and permanent vision loss. An eye exam can detect diabetes if you don’t know you have it, and treat some of the optical side effects. 

Your optometrist can even see cancer in various places in the eyes. Tumors can form on the optic nerve, the retina, or the iris.

5. Eye Strain From Daily Life

Getting an annual exam can help you screen for potential risks to your eye health from your daily life. These risk factors include sun exposure and screen time. 

Lots of sun exposure can cause damage to the eye’s internal structures. Your optometrist can monitor your eyes for damage and can recommend prescription sunglasses that can filter UV light and protect your eyes from damage. 

If you spend a lot of time in front of the TV, computer, or smartphone, you might be susceptible to dry eyes. Increased screen time means that you’re blinking less than normal, and your eye tissue dries up. 

Dry eyes feel like you have sand in your eyes and your vision might blur. Perpetual dry eye irritation can damage your eyes, so don’t ignore the symptoms! Get them checked out by your eye doctor. 

6. Glasses and Contacts

Your optometrist can correct all fit issues with your eyewear. If your contact lenses fit improperly, it can lead to serious eye infections and scarring on the cornea. 

Your optometrist can also fit your glasses to your face, making them both more comfortable and aesthetic. You can even get new brand-name glasses and sunglasses that both look and feel good, and can keep your eyes safe. 

If you wear reading glasses, you can also look into progressive lenses. Progressive lenses combine multiple prescriptions into one set of glasses, allowing you to see up close and far away without switching glasses. 

7. An Annual Eye Exam and Quality of Life

Your annual eye exam can help you maintain a good quality of life. If your vision is clear, you can keep enjoying your hobbies and your life. Keeping your eyes healthy means you don’t have to rearrange your life around vision loss. 

When you’re driving a car or operating any kind of machinery, your safety and the safety of others depend on your vision. Some vision loss can creep up on you. Your optometrist can monitor your vision and eye health when you can’t detect any problems yourself. 

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today!

If you’re trying to search Google for “opticians near me,” you might not be able to find the best optician. It’s important to find a trusted optometrist, so if you’re looking for annual eye exams in Houston, look no further than EZ Optical. 

EZ Optical is easily the best Houston, TX optometrist. With 30 years of experience and eye care passion, rest assured that your annual eye exam will be professional and comprehensive. Reach out to us to schedule an eye exam and be proactive about your long-term eye care!

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