As one of the five fundamental senses, our eyes allow us to observe and interact with the world around us, helping us to learn and make sense of the world. In short, our eyes are integral to our quality of life. For this reason, everyone is encouraged to take precautions to care for their eyes, and an excellent first step is getting an eye exam.

As the name suggests, an eye exam is a comprehensive evaluation of vision and eye health. It’s integral to preventative healthcare, as it can detect vision issues early and help prevent serious vision problems. Optometrists check for various conditions and other health issues during an eye exam, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Despite this, many people don’t consider it because they don’t think it is necessary or because they don’t have any symptoms, which is rarely the case until it’s too late.

If you don’t see the value of getting a routine eye exam, here are several reasons why you should never delay it:

#1 – Catch Symptoms Early

The earlier a vision problem is detected, the better the chances of being able to treat it successfully. An eye exam can catch vision problems early on before they become more serious. It can also detect other eye health issues that may be difficult to spot without an exam.

#2 – Certain Conditions Can Only Be Detected through Eye Exams

Certain eye conditions can only be detected when you get an eye exam. One example is glaucoma, which causes damage to the optic nerve. It is often symptomless in the early stages, but an eye exam can detect it, and treatment can be started early to reduce or even prevent further damage.

#3 – Eye Exams Identify Conditions Unrelated to the Eyes

Eye exams can detect medical conditions that may not affect your eyes. For example, an eye exam can see signs of diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Furthermore, an eye exam can also detect signs of stroke, brain tumours, and other neurological conditions.

#4 – Old Prescriptions Can Cause Eye Strain and Headaches

If you’re already taking eye prescriptions, you must ensure they are up to date. Old prescriptions can cause eye strain and headaches, even if the lenses are the correct strength. This is because the lenses may not fit your eyes correctly or may not be the right shape or size for your eyes. Because of this, you must get regular eye exams and update your prescription as needed.

#5 – Prevents Digital Eye Strain

Eye strain is one thing, but digital eye strain is an entirely different issue. If you spend a lot of time looking at digital screens, you may be at risk for digital eye strain. While you can be proactive in taking preventive measures against it, an eye exam can help identify potential causes and provide solutions. Your doctor may recommend special computer glasses with blue light filtering lenses, which can help reduce digital eye strain.

What to Expect during an Eye Exam

During an eye exam, your doctor will conduct various tests to determine the health of your eyes and vision. This includes tests to check your vision, measure your eye pressure, and examine the health of your eyes. They may also use a retinoscope to assess your eyes’ ability to focus and a slit lamp to examine the front of your eyes for abnormalities. Additionally, your doctor may ask about any eye symptoms you may be experiencing and your family history.

Once the evaluation is done, your doctor will explain the results and recommend any necessary treatment. Depending on the results, you may need to wear contact lenses or glasses or use eye drops to treat any conditions. Sometimes, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for further treatment.

Conclusion

An eye exam is vital to ensuring the health of your eyes and vision. Because the results of the tests can significantly impact your life, you must follow your doctor’s recommendations and get regular check-ups. This way, your eyes will last until your twilight years.

If you want to get eye exams in Calgary, Optiko can help you! Vision health should never be skimped on, so we provide comprehensive tests to evaluate your eyes and prescribe treatment if necessary. Visit our website today to book an appointment!