February 28, 2021

How often do you think about your eye and vision health? If you’re like many people, I bet you tend to pay attention only upon realizing you have to squint to watch television or when your contact lenses start to hurt. Your eyes and vision may not be one of your priorities. But any changes to your eyesight and visual system are an indication that something is wrong.


Noticing the blurriness, or those floaters and dark spots, and then getting them checked out immediately can be lifesaving. Here are the reasons why getting routine eye exams is one of the best decisions you can make, not just for your vision but for your overall health:

 

It Helps Catch Vision Problems Early

Everyone would probably agree that this is the primary reason why you need regular eye exams. They’re crucial with the early diagnosis of eye conditions that may lead to blindness and visual impartment. These problems include cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic neuropathy.

 

It’s Important for Updating Your Prescription

Over time, your vision changes. So, the strength of your lens prescription will likely require an adjustment. A periodic comprehensive eye examination will provide your eye doctor your health data. This way, they can ensure that the prescription strength of your eyeglasses or contact lenses can give you the optimal results.

 

It Helps Detect Other Health Issues

Besides catching eye diseases early, your eye doctor may also detect signs of other medical conditions. These include hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers, among others. Early detection means early intervention. Immediate treatment will be crucial to stop, slow down, or possibly reverse the damage your health condition has caused.

 

Prevention Is Always Better Than Cure

It’s almost always easy to ignore minor changes in your body. But you’ll never know where a slight shift or irregularity can take you. By getting routine eye exams, you can identify any defect that might occur or is already occurring in your eyes at an early stage. Equally important is that it gives you the pathway to begin taking treatment or corrective actions. Any permanent vision loss or visual impairment can significantly affect the quality of your life. Don’t wait for a vision problem or eye disease to worsen or become untreatable.

 

What to Expect During a Routine Eye Exam

Routine eye exams are generally quick and straightforward. The tests involved are painless, and the entire process only takes about 30 minutes or even less. During your routine eye exam, your eye doctor will perform a few standard tests. These pre-examination tests generally include peripheral vision tests and color sensitivity tests. Once they’ve gained a ballpark understanding of your visual health needs, they will proceed with other tests. These generally include a slit lamp test and examinations that check your eye’s visual acuity, refraction, and pupillary reactions. At the end of your exam, your eye doctor may recommend pupil dilation. This is a way to look at your retina and optic nerve more fully.

 

Regular comprehensive eye exams are your first line of defense against eye diseases and other underlying health issues.

 

Learn more about the benefits of getting eye exams, contact Modern iCare Optometry in Palm Desert, CA at (760) 674-7272 to book an appointment today!