A routine eye exam may not seem like a priority when you have a busy lifestyle – particularly if you can see clearly and don’t have any current concerns about the health of your eyes. Nevertheless, your eye doctor will invite you to attend a routine eye exam fairly regularly – at least once per year and more often if you already wear glasses or contact lenses. This isn’t without good reason. The fact is that routine eye exams form an integral part of your preventative eye care and should be attended at the frequency recommended by your eye doctor.

Here’s what you need to know about just why routine eye exams are so important.

 

Our Eyesight is Extremely Valuable

Unsurprisingly, the main reason why eye exams are so important is because of just how valuable our eyesight is. We use our eyes from the moment we wake up until we fall asleep at night. They help us engage with the world around us, learn, work and participate in fun activities. Our eyesight also helps keep us safe. If your vision is in any way impaired, it can have a significant impact on your ability to live a happy and fulfilling life.

 

There Are Lots of Eye Diseases That Can Threaten Our Vision

Unfortunately, there are many different eye diseases that can potentially threaten our vision, as well as causing unpleasant and debilitating symptoms. When you attend regularly routine eye exams, your eye doctor will have an opportunity to comprehensively evaluate the health of your eyes to ensure that you aren’t affected. As with all things related to our health and wellbeing, the sooner any problems are identified, the earlier treatment can begin and more likely you are to experience a positive outcome.

 

Eye Diseases Do Not Always Cause Symptoms

One of the biggest issues with many eye diseases is that they do not always cause any noticeable symptoms. This means that if you don’t attend regular appointments with your eye doctor, they can potentially progress and cause irreversible damage to your vision without you even being aware. For example, glaucoma and macular degeneration usually develop very slowly and gradually. Consistent monitoring by your eye doctor will mean that any adverse changes to your vision can be detected at the earliest possible opportunity.

 

Eye Exams can Ensure That Your Child Achieves Their Full Potential

Your child’s eyes are a vital tool in their learning and development and any problems with their vision can potentially prevent them from achieving their full potential at school. Many children are initially believed to have a developmental delay of some kind, only to find that there is actually a problem with their vision that is preventing them from accessing their learning effectively. In some instances, this delay can cause them to experience frustration, anxiety and even a loss of confidence at school. However, by ensuring your child’s eyes are regularly checked by your eye doctor, you can feel happy that your child is getting the very most out of their education.

 

Annual Eye Exams Can Actually Detect General Health Problems

Many people don’t realize this, but annual eye exams are actually a valuable tool in the detection of other serious health problems too. In fact, many people first learn that they are experiencing other conditions as a result of their routine eye exam. Some of the health conditions that can be identified during a routine eye exam include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sickle cell disease, and even cancer.

If you have any questions about the importance of routine eye exams, or if you would like to schedule your appointment with our expert team in West New York, NJ, please contact our office.