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The eyes are an essential part of your well-being. They are the windows through which we see the world. Taking care of them should be a top priority. For that, eye examinations are a must. Read on to learn the importance of regular eye examinations and how often you should get your eyes checked.

Correction of Vision Problems

Regular eye exams help correct any problems you may have with your vision. Aging affects eyesight. As you grow older, you may develop issues like astigmatism, farsightedness, or nearsightedness. Visiting your eye doctor for regular eye exams helps catch such problems, and you can begin treatment to correct the issue. You may start wearing prescription contacts or eyeglasses.

Detect Eye Conditions Early 

Regular eye exams play a significant role in helping detect eye conditions early before they progress. Age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and others show no symptoms during their onset and early stages. 

When you notice the symptoms, the condition is likely at a point where your vision loss could become permanent. Regular eye exams help patients begin early treatment once their eye doctor detects eye conditions early. This stops or slows the progression of such diseases.

Preserve Vision

Regular eye exams are not only for people with vision problems. They are also vital to help preserve your good vision. Your eye doctor will act promptly to prevent any detected issue from worsening. For example, they may notice a cataract developing and treat it promptly to stop or slow its progression to help preserve your vision.

Detect Health Issues in the Early Stages 

Going for eye exams is centered on more than just detecting problems affecting your eyes and vision. It also helps identify health issues affecting your body. Your eyes can tell a lot about what is going on in your body. Your eye doctor can detect diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancers through an eye exam. 

An eye exam can identify problems with your overall health that have not yet manifested physically on your body. For example, your ophthalmologist or optometrist may examine the blood vessels in your eyes and detect changes that indicate that you have early signs of diabetes.

Eye Examinations for Children

Children should also get their eyes examined. As they develop and grow, so do their eyes. Regular eye exams help the eye doctor detect vision problems early enough to correct them through prompt treatment. Most children experiencing vision problems may not complain about their symptoms. Therefore, you can ensure their eyes and vision is healthy through regular eye exams.

Frequency of Eye Exams 

How often you need to get your eyes examined by your eye doctor will depend on your overall health, risk factors, and age. The American Academy of Ophthalmology makes various recommendations. Adults between the ages of 18 and 60 should go for eye exams after every two years. They can also go as frequently as their doctor recommends. 

Adults aged 61 or older should get their eyes examined every one to two years or according to their eye specialist's recommendations. Children aged six to 18 months should go for an eye exam at least once between the age of six months to 18 years or as their eye specialist recommends.

For more about regular eye exams, visit Super Optical Express at our office in Gainesville, Florida. Call 352-702-9700 to book an appointment today.