5 Reasons Everyone Should Have Routine Eye Exams

A common question we receive from patients is, “Do I really need to have a routine eye exam every year?”

For many people, having eye exams this often can feel like overkill — especially if that person doesn’t wear glasses or contacts.

Our answer is yes — it is important to have routine eye exams yearly. And you should continue to stay on top of your appointments even if you don’t think there’s a problem. Let’s look at five reasons why.

Vision screenings do not replace eye exams

We often hear parents say that they don’t bring their child in for eye exams because they receive a vision screening every year at school. Vision screenings are useful but they don’t replace yearly eye exams.

Many children are able to pass a vision screening even if they have a vision problem. And there is a poor standardization of testing among different states so it impossible to know how effective your child’s screening actually is.

Your eyes change over time

Did you know that your vision continues to change as you age? Being able to see clearly will help you perform your best throughout your day. And having the correct prescription could help clear up headaches or other problems.

Many common eye diseases don’t cause obvious symptoms

Many people believe that if there was a problem with their eyes they would know it immediately. Unfortunately, this often is not the case. Serious conditions like glaucoma and cataracts show almost no symptoms in the beginning.

Early detection is key to preserving your vision

If you do have a common eye disease like glaucoma or macular degeneration, it’s important to catch it early on to preserve your vision. For instance, glaucoma is treatable but any vision loss is permanent.

Eye exams can uncover other undetected medical conditions

Many people don’t realize that their vision is actually a great indicator of their overall health. Your eye doctor can catch undiagnosed diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other conditions.

If you are overdue for your yearly comprehensive eye exam, there’s no need to worry. Just contact our office and schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today.