4 Reasons to Schedule an Eye Exam

If you haven’t had an eye exam in the past year, you should schedule one – even if you think you don’t have apparent vision problems. Here are the reasons why you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.

1. Your vision changes over time. Just like the heart, teeth or skin, human eyes change with age. This is why eye checkups should be given the same weight as an annual cardiovascular or dental checkup. The risks of age-related eye diseases increase as you approach middle age, and regular checkups can help you and your eye doctor detect early signs and create a treatment or prevention plan.

2. Eye checkups can help detect signs of other diseases. The eyes can give away early signs of health conditions, which makes it possible for your eye doctor to detect early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure and autoimmune disorders, among other conditions. This can give you an opportunity to plan preventive treatments with a specialist.

3. Keep your prescriptions up to date. If you drive or perform other tasks that rely on good vision, you need to visit your optometrist or eye doctor regularly. Glasses and contact lens prescriptions do go out of date, and continuing to use outdated lenses can cause discomfort and may increase the risk of accidents at work or when driving. Routine eye exams can help determine how often you should update your prescription.

4. Determine if you need further treatment. If you find wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses uncomfortable, your eye doctor can help determine if treatments like LASIK or orthokeratology (ortho-k) are suitable for you. They can also help determine if you need to switch to a different type of prescription eyewear. If you play sports, a visit to your eye doctor can also help you choose eye safety wear.

Six One Six Vision Center provides eye care services to clients in Boise and Eagle, ID, as well as the surrounding communities. Call or text at (208) 514-1858 or schedule on our website here to make an appointment.