It’s the New Year and we are all thinking about ways to be healthier in 2016. An annual eye exam is a one hour, easy, and extremely important way to safeguard your eyesight and gain clues into the state of your general health.
Children
As children grow, they need to have their eyesight checked regularly to make sure that their eyes are developing properly. Poor eyesight in children can go on for years if not checked consistently, and is linked to learning difficulties in school. Children also don’t know how to express that they are having problems with eyesight, so an exam is crucial. In addition, children spend more time in front of computer screens and mobile devices than ever before. You may want to consider computer glasses to minimize eye strain.
People who Wear Contact Lenses
A check up on the general health of your eyes is important so that any changes in the shape of the cornea are detected for optimal contact lens fitting. In addition, your eyes should be checked for any signs of oxygen deprivation from the use of contacts.
People With Diabetes
Sadly, Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Those with diabetes are at a higher risk for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. An eye exam is the only way to detect these conditions early on for the best possible treatment.
Seniors
As we age, we become more susceptible to a number of eye disorders including macular degeneration. It is frequently recommended that you get a baseline eye exam when you turn 40 so that this can be compared to later eye exams to find any problems in their earliest stages.
Everyone Else
Eye exams are the only way to see blood vessels without surgery. This means that your annual trip to eye care provider will not only correct any vision problems but may be able to find an array of diseases in their early stages including: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overactive thyroid, autoimmune disorders, Diabetes and liver disease.
Here’s to a Happy Healthy 2016!