People are getting more conscious and concerned about their health nowadays. However, many forget to take care of their eyes. If you care about your overall health, it’ll help if you keep in mind that your eyes deserve the utmost care. As people get older, there’s an increased risk of developing eye diseases and vision problems.
Some of the most common eye troubles and problems include
Age-related macular degeneration: AMD has two forms, wet and dry. In general, this eye disorder occurs when the retina’s central part gets damaged over time.
Cataract: Anyone can have cataract regardless of age and it’s touted as the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. Moreover, cataract is the leading cause of blindness across the world.
Diabetic retinopathy: People who have diabetes may eventually become blind due to retinopathy, a complication of the disease.
Dry eye syndrome: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eyes syndrome, is characterized by the lack of moisture or lubrication, redness, irritation, and fatigue.
Glaucoma: A person with glaucoma experiences vision loss and even blindness because it damages the optic nerves.
Refractive errors: Vision problems may include astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, and presbyopia. These can often can be improved through refractive correction.
Many other eye conditions can affect the quality of your life. A reputable eye doctor is the best professional to consult for all your vision and eye health concerns. Don’t delay care for your eyes, visit site for a Naples optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Importance of Eye Exams
Many people are guilty of overlooking preventive health maintenance for the eyes. Like any other part of your body, you need to take care of your eyes so that you can prevent health conditions that can lead to loss of sight. The eyes are also subjected to injury and stress. Thus, it’s crucial to schedule regular eye exams to address concerns immediately before the problem becomes worse.
If you haven’t started taking care of your eyes, the following reasons will convince you that eye exams are vital:
Your Eyes Provide Clues About Your Health
It may sound cliché but your eyes are the windows to your overall health. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there are more than a dozen health problems that can be detected when a person undergoes a comprehensive eye exam. These problems include:
- Aneurysm
- Autoimmune disorders such as lupus, myasthenia gravis, and Sjögren’s syndrome
- Brain tumor
- Deficiency in Vitamin A
- Diabetes
- Different types of cancer
- High cholesterol and high blood pressure
- Lyme disease
- Multiple sclerosis and other nerve problems
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Stroke
- Thyroid and vascular diseases
- Toxicity or allergic reactions to drugs or certain medications
The possibility of discovering these health problems through a comprehensive eye exam is one of the best reasons why you shouldn’t skip your appointment with your eye doctor. There are two kinds of eye checkups, vision screenings and comprehensive eye examinations. Vision screenings are performed to check visual acuity and may be done by nurses and other healthcare workers. On the other hand, a complete eye exam is done to determine eye health and performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
The frequency of eye checks depends on the age of the individual. In your 20s to 30s, an eye exam can be done every 5 to 10 years. As you grow older, comprehensive eye checkups become more frequent – every 2 to 4 years in your 40s to early 50s. They become even more frequent, every 1 to 3 years when you’re in your 50s to early 60s. Ideally, you should get an eye checkup every year if you’re more than 60 years old. However, if you have existing eye conditions, or you’re at the risk of developing an eye disease, you may need more frequent eye exams.
Eye Care Should Start Early
Having good eyesight is a blessing but many people fail to realize that keeping a pair of healthy eyes takes work and commitment. It’s best if parents instill the benefits of eye care in their children while they’re young. Here are the reasons why taking care of the eyes of your loved ones should start immediately:
- Kids who have good vision and healthy eyes are more likely to perform better in school. Visual acuity and hand-eye coordination are crucial to performing well in school and daily activities.
- Diagnosing an eye problem in infants or young children allows doctors to treat the conditions in their early stages. Vision problems that aren’t treated early can become incurable.
- Building the habit of proper eye care while young helps ensure healthy eyes and good vision in the long term. This includes teaching young people to consume nutritious foods and avoid activities that constantly strain the eyes.
Eye and Vision Problems Affect Quality of Life
Millions of people suffer from age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. Ignoring these debilitating eye problems significantly affects your daily activities and can lead to permanent loss of vision. There are eye ailments that don’t present symptoms. Thus, a yearly eye exam is recommended if you’re at high risk of developing such diseases. Your parents and other family members’ medical history records offer significant insights into your genetic disposition to develop eye diseases.
Regular visits to a trusted optometrist or ophthalmologist are essential so that your eyes are always in excellent condition. Paired with a healthy lifestyle, comprehensive eye examinations can help you maintain great vision now and in the future.
Takeaway
You take care of your body by committing to a regular health check with your physician. It’s crucial to give your eyes the same attention that you give to the rest of your body. A good pair of eyes is essential for leading a quality life. Your eyes are a critical part of your body and play a crucial role in connecting you with your environment. Delaying eye care can result in debilitating eye diseases that negatively affect the quality of your life or that of your loved ones. Regular eye examinations help detect eye problems and other health conditions while they’re manageable or treatable.
