One of the main reasons people fail to schedule for an eye exam is because they have 20/20 vision, meaning they do not think an exam is necessary. Although being able to see well is a good sign that your eyes are in good health, this does not mean you are totally in the clear.
Going in to see your optometrist every one to two years for a routine eye exam has many benefits and important tests. Here are a few reasons why it is necessary to schedule for an eye appointment regardless of whether or not you have 20/20 vision.
Your Vision Changes Overtime
Just because a few years ago your eye doctor told you that you had 20/20 vision, that does not mean that your vision permanently stays that way.
There are many factors that determine how quickly your vision can change, but annually your vision can shift. 20/20 vision basically means that you are able to see 20 feet away, which is what is expected.
Even if you are able to maintain your 20/20 vision, your eyes can still lose their near vision, especially over time. Going in for an eye exam can help determine whether or not you do need any time of corrective gear or not, such as reading glasses.
Eye Diseases
An eye exam will check for eye diseases, and some give off no symptoms until later on. Glaucoma is a perfect example of this, as this eye disease is asymptomatic. A person suffering from glaucoma will not notice any vision loss until later on in the disease process.
Other common eye diseases that your optometrist will check for are cataracts, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, if you do have any of these eye diseases or any in general, you will be able to catch them at an eye exam before they progress too far and be able to discuss the best treatment options available.
Overall Health
Going in to get your eyes checked also simultaneously checks a lot of other parts of your overall health. For example, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or even cancers can be detected through an eye exam.
One way it is possible to tell so much just from looking at your eyes is because your eyes give a clear view of your blood vessels. In the end, you could be catching a condition or problem you didn’t know existed just be simply getting your routine eye exam.
20/20 vision simply is the measurement to tell whether you need corrective lenses or not, but it does not measure your overall eye health. To get all your bases covered, schedule an eye exam so that your optometrist can report the full story on the condition of your eyes.