Five Reasons to See Your Eye Doctor | Save Your Vision Month

We know that regular checkups with your doctor are a great way to stay healthy. The same thing goes for your eyes. Regularly seeing an eye doctor is important to maintain good eye health. March is Save Your Vision Month. It is a reminder to make protecting our eyes and vision a priority.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, only about 50 percent of  
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people in the United States see an eye doctor regularly. Seeing an eye care professional increases your awareness of your risk of eye diseases. Your eye specialist can develop a plan to lower your risks and keep your eyes healthy. 
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Routinely visiting an eye doctor is one of the best things you can do to protect your vision. Consider some of the reasons to schedule your next appointment. 
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You have never had a baseline eye exam

If you have never had a baseline eye exam, it is time to start. This is especially true if you are over the age of 40. Vision problems often start in middle age or older. Getting a baseline exam helps your provider recognize changes in your vision during follow-up appointments. Your eye doctor can also work with you to determine how frequently you should come in based on your age and risk factors. 

​For early diagnosis of eye diseases

If you have a family history of eye diseases, going to see an eye care provider is essential. Many eye diseases do not cause symptoms in the early stages, so a comprehensive eye exam can help diagnose problems early. The earlier an eye disease is diagnosed, the better the chances are of having effective treatment. 

You have unexplained or new vision issues

Sometimes it is clear you need to see an eye doctor. For example, if you sustain a serious eye injury, you probably would not hesitate to see an eye specialist. Other times, you may attribute vision changes to getting older or being tired.

But it is also critical to see an eye doctor if you develop new visual symptoms. If you develop any of the following, see an eye doctor immediately:

• Severe eye pain
• A sudden decrease in vision
• Sudden light flashes

You should also schedule an appointment with an eye doctor as soon as possible if you experience:

• Blurred vision
• Decreased ability to see at night
• Floaters

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A new diagnosis of diabetes

Diabetes can lead to eye problems that threaten vision. For example, uncontrolled blood sugar levels may eventually damage the blood vessels in the eyes and the retina. Going for regular checkups is one way to help prevent eye complications from diabetes.
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In addition to diabetes, it is also a good idea to see your eye care provider if you are diagnosed with any new medical condition that can potentially affect the eyes, such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.  Each disease may manifest differently when it comes to vision. Your eye doctor will provide information on how to reduce vision problems. 

Frequent headaches

Headaches are one of the most common complaints among adults, but children and teens can also get frequent headaches. Headaches can occur for a number of reasons. Anything from allergies to hormonal changes can trigger a headache.

Frequent headaches can also occur due to problems with the eyes. For example, digital eye strain can lead to headaches. Wearing the wrong prescription eyeglasses for your condition can also cause headaches.  If you experience headaches often and do not know the cause, it is helpful to see an eye doctor to rule out any vision-related issues.

We hope the above information was helpful to help you protect your vision. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.