Are Your Eyes Safe? It May Be Time For a Routine Eye Exam

Early detection is important for many eye conditions. If you are visiting your eye doctor routinely, they can diagnose and treat any eye conditions that arise.

Keep reading to learn if it may be time for you to have a routine eye exam!

Cataracts  

Cataracts are a common eye condition that is part of the natural aging process. When you have cataracts, your vision may seem blurry or cloudy. 

A cataract is the clouding and hardening of the lens inside your eye. Besides cloudy vision, they can also cause colors to appear less bright and glare around light sources.

The best treatment for cataracts is cataract surgery. At your routine eye exams, your eye doctor will monitor the progression of your cataracts and inform you when it may be time for surgery.  

Glaucoma  

Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition and, if left untreated, can cause permanent loss of sight. Glaucoma is caused by too much pressure inside your eye. 

Consistently elevated eye pressure can cause damage to the optic nerve, which is the part of your eye that relays images to your brain. Glaucoma is often called the silent thief of sight because it doesn’t have any early warning signs or symptoms. 

Your eye doctor can identify glaucoma through regular eye exams. It’s important to let your eye doctor know if you have a family history of this condition so that they can monitor you for it.

Diabetic Retinopathy  

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can develop due to uncontrolled diabetes. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in your eye’s retina, causing impaired vision. 

Symptoms include blurry or distorted vision, difficulty seeing at night, floaters, and difficulty determining colors. If you have diabetes, it is essential to visit your eye doctor at least every year to ensure the health of your eyes and vision. 

Macular Degeneration  

Macular degeneration is another age-related eye condition that your eye doctor will look for during routine eye exams. You may not notice symptoms of this condition in its early stages, but if left to progress without treatment, it can cause blindness.

There are some treatment options to stop the progression of the condition. Visiting your eye doctor for routine eye exams will allow them to detect macular degeneration early, which can prevent any further damage. 

Is Your Prescription Up To Date?  

Keeping your prescription up to date is essential to maintain crisp, clear vision. If you are still using an old prescription, you may be putting unnecessary strain on your eyes.

Your eye doctor will ensure you use the correct prescription to provide you with the best vision at your routine eye exams. 

Do You Spend a lot of time Staring at a Computer Screen?  

Spending extended periods of time looking at a screen can affect your eyes and vision. Without scheduled breaks, your eyes can become dry and irritated, and your vision can become blurry.

During your routine eye exam, your eye doctor can look at the surface of your eyes to determine if they are dry. They may recommend doing blinking exercises or increasing your use of artificial tears while using the computer. 

Early detection is your best defense against many eye conditions. If it has been a while since you had a complete eye exam, now may be an excellent time to see your eye care provider.

Are you ready to be proactive about your eye health? Schedule an appointment at Vermont Eye Laser in Burlington, VT, today!