20th, May 2020 | Oh Jinna
You Need Eye Exams For These Important Reasons
Why You Need Eye Exams
You may already be familiar with annual physical check ups that usually occur in schools and workplaces. However, do you know that annual eye exams are just as important?
After all, you can’t deny the fact that your vision plays a huge role in your life. For this reason, having your eyes checked yearly is essential to keep them safe from potential harm.
The Benefits of Eye Exams
With all the things going on in our lives, we often have a tendency to neglect common eye problems. Which means that most of us only get our eyes checked whenever the eye disease becomes really bad.
Which could lead to more serious complications like eye infections, vision loss, and permanent damages.
However, you can reduce the risks of serious eye problems if you get your eyes checked regularly. In fact, you’ll be surprised from all the benefits you’ll get with eye exams!
1. Identify Potential Health Problems Before They Get Worse
Most of us are too busy with work and responsibilities to be worrying about our eye health. In fact, we only consider getting eye exams when we finally feel something very wrong with our vision.
In fact, around 90 percent of contact lens users have at least one bad hygienic habit. This means that our eyes are constantly prone to disease without us even noticing. And that’s why annual eye exams are very important for everyone.
Eye examinations can identify more than just eye diseases. For example, doctors can examine the blood vessels in your eyes to determine the overall health of your blood vessels.
As a result, your doctor can check for health risks like hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and hypertension.
2. Catch Early Signs of Glaucoma
You may not know this, but glaucoma is actually a very tricky disease. This is mainly due to the elusive nature of its early symptoms. In other words, it’s hard to detect glaucoma at a very early stage.
Which means that there’s a possibility of you having glaucoma without you even noticing anything different.
However, having annual eye exams can help you avoid irreparable vision loss. After all, most severe cases occur due to the lack of routine check ups and preventive measures.
Additionally, glaucoma is very difficult to deal with in its later stages, so your best option is to keep your eyes strong and healthy early on.
3. Eye Exams Are More Precise Than Regular Vision Tests
Thorough eye exams are different from the ones that you get in school or during driving lessons. So you shouldn’t think that you’re free from harm when you pass those simple visual screenings.
Additionally, regular visual tests can only detect obvious eye problems like refractive errors. But they don’t provide enough in depth information to detect serious eye problems that you may not be aware of.
Comprehensive eye exams offer more detailed analysis on your eye health. Which means that you need the help of licensed ophthalmologists or optometrists.
After all, they are well trained to use the right equipment to effectively check your eye health. So you can prevent potential eye problems before they become too hard to handle.
4. Determine Early Stages of Myopia
Myopia or nearsightedness is becoming more prevalent all over the world. In fact, around 45 percent of our entire population could be affected by myopia in the coming years. Additionally, children are also prone to nearsightedness and other similar eye problems.
With this in mind, having myopia at an early age is very unpleasurable. Aside from the visual discomfort, myopia also has a tendency to worsen as you get older.
Which means that younger people with myopia can expect their visual problem to gradually increase.
Eye Exams for Nearsightedness
Having regular eye exams can help you detect myopia and help you prevent it from getting worse. Additionally, you also need to have frequent check ups to determine if your eyesight is getting worse.
You’ll also need new prescriptions for contact lenses or eyeglasses if your myopia increases.
However, with regular check ups and preventive measures, you can maintain a good vision. Just remember to follow proper contact lens care and good hygienic habits.
Additionally, improving your diet and lifestyle can also prevent your eyes from getting worse. Check out this list of superfoods to keep your eyesight strong and healthy.
5. Increase Your Quality of Living
There are plenty of things to do in life. From meaningful careers to interesting hobbies, you have all the options in the world. However, having bad eyesight and serious vision problems can ruin your opportunities.
For example, you won’t be able to fully enjoy certain activities when you’re worried about your eyeglass or contact lenses. Additionally, you’ll also have a hard time applying for jobs that require a high level of visual accuracy.
But with regular eye exams, you can stay secure knowing that your eyes are in good health. And if you do find any problems, your doctor can provide better care before your issue gets worse.
In short, frequent eye exams can help you maintain good eyesight and avoid the risks of potential eye problems. So keep your eyes healthy and have them checked at least once a year.
The Different Types of Eye Exams
Now that you know about the benefits of eye examinations, let’s talk about the different types of tests. There are various tests that doctors provide for specific reasons. We’ll list down the common tests and tell you their practical applications. So read on and learn more about taking care of your eyes.
Refraction Test
You’re going to have this test if you plan on getting eyeglasses. This is because doctors use refraction tests to determine the details for your eyeglass prescription.
You’ll usually start by standing far away from a chart that you need to read. Some doctors also use a phoropter to simulate the distance of the chart. Which means that you won’t have to stand far away, instead, you’ll just sit down and look into a machine.
Next, your doctor is going to change the different lens powers for your eyes. This will help them determine the amount of visual aid that your eyes need.
During this step, you’re going to tell the doctor if the images appear crystal clear or hazy. Finally, your doctor will use your results to determine the lens power of your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Applanation Tonometry Test
This test is very important to help you detect early signs of glaucoma. This is because doctors use this test to check the pressure resistance of your cornea.
To do this, your doctor is going to use a tonometer on your eyes to check the pressure readings. However, you shouldn’t worry because your doctor will put anesthetic eye drops before touching your eyes.
Fluorescein Angiogram Test
This test is important if you have concerns regarding diabetes, retinal detachment, or macular degeneration. With a fluorescein angiogram, your doctor can actually view the flow of blood in your retina. As a result, your doctor can use this test to diagnose the above mentioned health problems.
During this test, your doctor will inject you with a fluorescein dye. This dye will travel in your blood vessels and run to your eyes. Next, your doctor will use a special camera to view the dye that reaches your eye.
The dye helps your doctor spot any problems like poor blood circulation, leaks, swelling, and more.
Corneal Topography Test
This test involves advanced computer technology to map out your eye and view the curvature of your cornea. As a result, you can easily detect any problems with the surface of your eye with this test.
Some detectable problems include scars, swelling, and even astigmatism. You’ll usually have this test before you have certain eye surgeries and similar procedures.
Visual Field Test
Did you know that there is also a test to determine the quality of your peripheral vision? With a visual field test, you’ll need to stare at an object which is often a computer monitor.
Next, you’ll stare at a given target and inform the doctor about moving objects or light spots. This test can help your doctor check for problems related to glaucoma and similar diseases.
Slit-Lamp Exam
With a slit-lamp exam, your doctor is going to shine a ray of light directly at your eye. Your doctor will use a microscope for this procedure and check the dilation of your pupils.
This is a test that can spot problems like cataracts, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and more. There are very many things you can gather from this type of simple exam.
These are only some of the many eye exams that are available these days. Just take note that some eye exams may be more preferable according to your visual needs.
Finally, don’t forget to have regular eye examinations to keep your eyes healthy and safe from harm. So stay safe and enjoy your vision!
References:
Contact Lens Wearer Demographics and Risk Behaviors for Contact Lens-Related Eye Infections — United States, 2014
Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050
GOOD HABITS TO PRESERVE YOUR EYESIGHT OVER TIME
5 COMMON EYE PROBLEMS THAT WE USUALLY MISS
CONTACT LENS CARE: PREVENT EYE INFECTION AS YOU KEEP YOUR CONTACT LENSES CLEAN
TOP 17 MOST BENEFICIAL SUPERFOODS TO MAINTAIN GOOD EYESIGHT
UNDERSTAND YOUR CONTACT LENS PRESCRIPTION
A GUIDE TO RETINAL DETACHMENT TREATMENT
5 FOODS TO PREVENT MACULAR DEGENERATION
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