Eyes are sensitive parts of your body, and you use them every single day. You probably do not even think about how much you use them or how your eyes are treated daily. You are not alone, though, and because of how critical your eyes are, you need to know why regular eye exams are essential.

 

What Is an Eye Checkup?

Eye doctors conduct eye exams. These comprehensive examinations check your vision, including your peripheral vision. Your doctor will also examine the reflection on your cornea to check its curvature. From there, your doctor checks to see if any other issues are going on in your eyes and make sure your eyes are healthy.

 

How Can You Prevent Eye Disease?

Consider going blind if you have not been going to visit the eye doctor regularly. No one wants to become blind, but it is a real possibility if you do not periodically check your eyes. In many cases, eye disease symptoms do not show up until after the disease is more advanced. With regular eye checkups, your eye doctor can identify macular degeneration before it becomes an irreversible issue.

 

What Do Tests Detect?

Your eye doctor will perform a series of tests to see potential issues within your eyes. You can get tested for glaucoma, cataracts, or any other matters specific to eye health. Testing for and identifying these eye diseases allow for an early diagnosis and treatment.

 

What About Other Health Conditions?

Did you know that your eye doctor can also spot problems like diabetes or high blood pressure? By going through a complete eye exam, your eye doctor can detect abnormalities that indicate other underlying health issues. Once your eye doctor sees these problems, you can take that information and see your primary care provider so you can undergo any additional testing.

 

How Long Are Prescriptions Valid?

Prescriptions can be valid for anywhere from a year to two years, depending on your eye doctor. The reason for having an eye prescription that expires is to encourage you to go back to your eye doctor for regular checkups. You will also have a better chance of catching any vision changes so you can adjust your lenses properly. Not having the correct prescription can result in eye strain and headaches, so if these are happening and you have not seen an eye doctor recently, it is a clue to book an appointment.

 

Who Should Get Regular Eye Exams?

The short answer is everyone, even if you have perfect eyesight. Some people think that eye doctors are only for people that need corrective lenses, but that is not true. Even people with perfect eyesight can suffer from diabetes or glaucoma. Regularly visiting an eye doctor ensures your eyes are healthy, in addition to noting any unusual vision changes that might happen over time.

If you have any questions or want to book an appointment with Eastside Eye Physicians, PC, call us at 586-247-2020 to visit our location in Shelby, Michigan, or 586-200-1905 to visit our site in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.