Why Routine Eye Exams are Important

Unless you are experiencing issues with your eyes or your vision, visiting your eye doctor may not be at the top of your list of priorities, especially if you usually have a very busy schedule. Nevertheless, if you are registered with an eye doctor, you should be invited to attend a routine eye exam at least every two years. While it may not seem important to stick to this schedule, the truth is that routine eye exams are a crucial part of maintaining your long-term eye health and vision. Here’s why.

 

Routine Eye Exams are Part of Your Health Record

Every time you visit your eye doctor, the results of your eye exams are recorded and used to compare future examinations. This will create a picture of the ongoing health and condition of your eyes that will allow your eye doctor to spot any unfavorable patterns that could indicate a problem is developing. The sooner a problem is detected, the earlier treatment can start and the better the outcome is likely to be for you. In some instances, early identification of eye diseases can prevent irreversible vision loss.

 

Routine Eye Exams are Used to Detect a Range of Eye Diseases Even When you Don’t Have Symptoms

There are many different diseases and conditions that can affect our eyes. Routine eye exams can be used to detect and diagnose:

• Cataracts

• Glaucoma

• Macular degeneration

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Uveitis

• CMV retinitis

• Eye floaters

• Keratoconus

• Conjunctivitis

• Retinal detachment
  
   

Many of these eye diseases have very subtle or slow-developing symptoms which makes them harder to detect yourself. Regular eye exams are the best way of spotting them early, before they have chance to progress and damage your vision.

 

Routine Eye Exams can Detect General Health Problems Too

The eyes may be the window to the soul, but they are also the window to discovering many other, wider health issues that could be affecting you, but that you are unaware of. By examining the structures inside and at the back of your eye, it is possible to find out if you are suffering from conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. The reason for this is that many health problems affect the blood vessels that serve the retina at the back of the eye and can cause visible changes to them, such as swelling or leaking. Surprisingly, this makes routine eye exams just as important for your overall health.

 

Routine Eye Exams can be Used to Detect Vision Changes

And of course, one of the main reasons why we visit our eye doctor and one of the most obvious aspects of routine eye exams is to check how clearly you can see. Our vision can change at any time, particularly as we get older and we are more likely to experience age-related changes to the lens of the eye that affects our near vision – a condition called presbyopia. Being able to see clearly is important so that we can drive safely, work and enjoy our hobbies. Routine eye exams can be used to detect vision changes so that you can get the right prescription lenses to help you see clearly and live life to the fullest.

If you are ready to schedule your routine eye exam, contact our office in Rancho Cucamonga, CA at (909) 787-1760 and speak to our friendly and experienced team today.