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Why are Eye Exams Important?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

An annual eye exam is an important way to monitor your optical and general health. Unfortunately, many people ignore this vital aspect of health care. Many serious vision problems have correctable early warning stages, and if caught early, conditions which lead to blindness can be stopped. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms begin to manifest, it may be too late. This is why most optometrists prefer to see their patients at least once every two years for an eye exam, and preferably once a year.

During an eye exam, the doctor will check your eyes for refractive error, such as near or far sightedness. In addition, the doctor will examine the area around the eye and the eye itself for any signs of ill health or disease. Numerous machines are used in this process, and at the end of the eye exam, your eyes will be dilated so that the optometrist can look all the way into the back of the eyes.

Getting a regular eye exam can help keep the eyes healthy.
Getting a regular eye exam can help keep the eyes healthy.

Having your eyes checked for refractive error is the reason most people make an appointment for an eye exam. For individuals who already wear corrective lenses, an eye exam can ensure that they are using the right prescription. For people who have begun to have difficulty seeing, the eye exam will establish whether or not lenses are needed, and what strength is necessary. Often, a patient will not be aware that his or her vision has begun to decline; children especially should be taken to an eye doctor on a regular basis. If a child begins to lose focus in school, have difficulty reading, or have issues with comprehension, he or she may need glasses.

Too much exposure to sunlight might lead to eye problems.
Too much exposure to sunlight might lead to eye problems.

One of the most important aspects of an eye exam is the overall health check. The doctor starts with the exterior of the eye, looking at the health of the eye lid, eyelashes, and area around the eye. Next, the doctor looks into the eye with a bright light to check for signs of macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and other serious conditions. The pressure in the eye is measured to check for imbalances, and the doctor looks at the health of the optic nerve, retina, and cornea. In addition, conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes often manifest symptoms in the eyes first, and an optometrist can refer a patient to another specialist if something of concern is observed.

Eye exams can identify deterioration in a person's vision.
Eye exams can identify deterioration in a person's vision.

In addition to protecting your vision with frequent eye exams, you should also take good care of your eyes by protecting them from sunlight and eating a healthy diet. Prolonged exposure to bright sunlight and glare has been linked with vision problems in later life, and wearing sunglasses can help greatly with this. For individuals who wear prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses or clip-ons are available to protect the eyes. Eating a diet high in anti-oxidants, vitamins A, C, and E, and lots of fresh fruit will also help keep your eyes healthy and strong.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Getting a regular eye exam can help keep the eyes healthy.
      By: daniel rajszczak
      Getting a regular eye exam can help keep the eyes healthy.
    • Too much exposure to sunlight might lead to eye problems.
      By: miiko
      Too much exposure to sunlight might lead to eye problems.
    • Eye exams can identify deterioration in a person's vision.
      By: Kelpfish
      Eye exams can identify deterioration in a person's vision.
    • The anatomy of the human eye includes the cornea, retina, lens, pupil, optic nerve, and more.
      By: blueringmedia
      The anatomy of the human eye includes the cornea, retina, lens, pupil, optic nerve, and more.
    • At an eye exam, the eyes will be dilated so that the optometrist can look all the way into the back of the eyes.
      By: ra2 studio
      At an eye exam, the eyes will be dilated so that the optometrist can look all the way into the back of the eyes.
    • Children should receive regularly scheduled exams to assess their vision and diagnose any problems.
      By: imagedb.com
      Children should receive regularly scheduled exams to assess their vision and diagnose any problems.
    • During an eye exam, the doctor will examine the eyes and the area around the eyes to look for signs of ill health or disease.
      By: katalinks
      During an eye exam, the doctor will examine the eyes and the area around the eyes to look for signs of ill health or disease.
    • Experts advise that people age 62 and older have an annual vision screening.
      By: JPC-PROD
      Experts advise that people age 62 and older have an annual vision screening.
    • Eye exams can help detect early signs of cataracts, which occur when part of the eye is damaged and the eyes' lenses become cloudy.
      By: rob3000
      Eye exams can help detect early signs of cataracts, which occur when part of the eye is damaged and the eyes' lenses become cloudy.
    • Routine eye exams are painless and can help detect vision or eye problems early.
      By: RTimages
      Routine eye exams are painless and can help detect vision or eye problems early.
    • An eye doctor may find that a person's current prescription for eyeglasses is too weak.
      By: Innovated Captures
      An eye doctor may find that a person's current prescription for eyeglasses is too weak.
    • Eye exams may point to vision-related conditions requiring medical treatment.
      By: Peter Orsaeo Sr
      Eye exams may point to vision-related conditions requiring medical treatment.