Four Misconceptions About Eye Exams

You might know that getting eye exams is essential to maintaining healthy eyes and vision. But our eye health sometimes takes a backseat to other responsibilities and activities. 

In other cases, we might not have accurate information on when or why we need eye exams. This can lead to delaying getting an eye exam or skipping exams altogether. It is vital to get the facts when it comes to the benefits and necessity for a comprehensive eye exam. 
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The article below examines some common misconceptions about comprehensive eye exams. 
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Misconception # 1: You only need an eye exam if you have vision problems. 

Eye exams are not just for people with vision problems. You should not wait until you have changes to your vision to see an eye doctor and have a comprehensive eye exam. A comprehensive eye exam helps diagnose eye diseases before you recognize symptoms. 

Some eye conditions do not cause symptoms until they are in advanced stages, but through an eye exam, an eye doctor can identify different types of eye problems. This allows for early treatment, which may help slow the progression of some diseases. 
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Misconception # 2: Children do not need an eye exam

Children should see an eye doctor for a vision screening. A vision screening can check for problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. It checks visual acuity. 

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, children who have problems turn up with vison screenings should have a comprehensive eye exam to determine the cause. Additionally, children who have an increased risk for eye diseases or problems should also have a comprehensive eye exam. This may include: 

• downs syndrome 
• behavior issues
• learning delays 

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Misconception # 3: All eye professionals are the same 

Some people may use the term ophthalmologist and optometrist interchangeably. But eyecare professionals differ in their role. For instance, an optometrist has four years of training post college in optometry. They can do eye exams and vison tests. Optometrists may detect certain eye abnormalities and prescribe corrective lenses. An optometrist is not a medical doctor. 

An ophthalmologist has four years of college and about eight years of post-graduate medical training. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eyecare. Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat all types of eye diseases and can perform eye surgery. 

Opticians are not eye doctors. Instead, they are trained technicians that can fit eyeglasses and lenses prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. While each eyecare professional has different training, they can all play a part in having comprehensive care. 
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Misconception # 4: Comprehensive eye exams take a long time

We live in a busy world. It is easy to let seeing an eye doctor take a back seat to other activities. You may think a comprehensive eye exam is going to be very time-consuming, but the good news is that most eye doctors can get you in and out of the office in a short time. It is also important to remember that taking the time for an eye exam may prevent vision issues from progressing. 

Having an eye condition that is not diagnosed until it is in its later stages can lead to multiple appointments and end up taking up more time. In the long run, having regular comprehensive eye exams may save you time and money, and help persevere your vision. 

If you have any questions on which type of eye professional you should see or have questions about an eye exam, we are happy to help. 

Also, 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. 
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