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4 Reasons Not To Skip Your Eye Exams

Optometrists help patients protect their eye health and improve their vision. They do this through routine vision exams as well as diagnostic exams to treat specific injuries, infections, and conditions. It's important to stay on top of your optometrist visits to avoid vision challenges and eye diseases. These are four reasons not to skip your eye exams:

1. Avoid eye strain.

Your eyes work by letting in light from your surroundings via your pupils. Information is sent to your brain through your optic nerve, where it is interpreted into sight. Muscles in your eyes control your ability to focus on various objects. However, when your vision is compromised due to myopia or hyperopia, you may struggle to see objects that are nearby or far away. Squinting and straining to see blurry objects can contribute to eye strain that can cause headaches. Visiting your eye doctor for regular exams will allow you to get the vision prescriptions you need to see clearly and avoid eye strain.

2. Stay safe on the road.

Many people drive as part of their daily activities. Cars can be valuable tools, but they can also be dangerous when used improperly. Driving without contact lenses or glasses when you have poor vision can put you in danger. It can also increase your risk of hurting someone else. Keeping up with your annual eye exams will allow your eye doctor to test your visual acuity and adjust your prescription as necessary. Clear vision will help you keep yourself and others safe on the road.

3. Prevent blindness.

Blindness can occur for many reasons. Trauma to the eyes can cause blindness. It can also be caused by certain diseases that affect the optic nerve. Eye exams test for glaucoma, which is one of the common causes of blindness in people with diabetes and hypertension. A simple pupillary exam allows your eye doctor to visualize your optic nerve in order to check its health. Having your pupils dilated to check for problems on a schedule dictated by your optometrist is one of the best things you can do to protect your vision and prevent blindness.

4. Address discomfort and pain.

Finally, eye doctors are available to help patients when they experience eye troubles. If you suffer from an eye infection or injury, it's important to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Doctors can prescribe medication and perform treatments to heal infections, repair damage, and remove foreign objects from the eyes. 

For more information about eye exams, contact a local eye doctor. 


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