We know that these days, you may be busier than ever, and it’s easy to forget to schedule regular eye exams, especially if it seems like your vision is fine. Getting an eye exam is about more than your vision, though, and is an important part of your overall health care. When was the last time you got an eye exam? We’ll share five top reasons to prioritize your health, vision, and overall wellness by scheduling an eye exam.
1. Detect Underlying Health Issues
Your eyes are a window to your health! Did you know that the retina, the light-sensitive layer in the back of your eye, is the only place in your body where blood vessels can be seen directly? During an eye exam, your doctor can spot underlying health issues of which you may not be aware, such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, because of how they impact your blood vessels.
2. Digital Eye Strain
We all spend time in front of digital screens these days, and the high amount of screen time can stress your eyes and visual system.
The American Optometric Association states that the average American worker spends seven hours a day on a computer either in the office or while working from home. The high visual demands of looking at screens of various sizes throughout the day can cause headaches, blurred vision, neck and shoulder pain, eyestrain, and dry eyes. Symptoms can be worsened by improper viewing distance from the computer, poor lighting, and uncorrected vision problems.
Getting an eye exam will diagnose any vision problem and you may also need eyeglasses with special lenses to alleviate digital eye strain.
3. Prevent Serious Eye Diseases
Some serious, sight-threatening eye diseases have little to no symptoms in the early stages, and the only way to know you have them is by getting an eye exam.
Glaucoma is a progressive disease that will damage your sight and is characterized by a lack of symptoms in the early stages. Many people with glaucoma don’t even realize they have it! Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” for this reason.
Diabetic eye disease can also cause vision loss in diabetics, and there may be mild or no symptoms in the early stages. Macular degeneration is another serious eye disease without symptoms in the early stages and progresses gradually. By the time you notice vision loss, the disease is in an advanced stage, and there currently is no cure for it.
The best way to prevent vision loss from serious eye disease is to get regular eye exams where they can be diagnosed and treated.
4. Your Vision May Be Changing
You may feel like your vision is fine, but vision changes over time and we can adjust to changes without being fully aware of it. Even small changes in your vision can affect how you feel every day while working, driving, and engaging in other daily activities. Being able to see your best is important!
5. Get an Updated Prescription
If you currently wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to see, then you need regular eye exams to assess your vision and to get an updated prescription. As mentioned, vision can change frequently, so even if you feel your vision is fine, you may be surprised to learn during an eye exam that it can be better with a change in the prescription!
Schedule an Eye Exam at Omaha Primary EyeCare
The doctors at Omaha Primary EyeCare have the expertise and the latest in technology to provide high-quality eye health and vision care. Make your health and vision a priority and schedule an eye exam today!
