It’s that time of year when many of us start to really focus on our New Year’s resolution lists. We promise to eat healthier, to lose weight, and to exercise more. But what about getting an eye exam? Is that on the list? If not, it really should be. Especially, if you’re over 50 as cataracts may develop as eyes age.
A cataract occurs when the natural lens of the eye, which is normally transparent, becomes cloudy. Aging, injury, and other health problems can cause cataracts and while cataracts typically develop slowly, the only way to correct vision is to remove the clouded natural lens of the eye and replace it with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens or IOL.
We visit doctors regularly to make sure our bodies are healthy, but what about our eyes? Do we really need to get eye exams? The answer is a definitive YES. Even if you’ve had a vision screening at work a complete eye exam evaluates the overall health of your eyes, from front to back and is not just to find out whether or not you need glasses.
Here are four reasons you should definitely put “Get an eye exam” on your 2022 list:
- Vision health can be a window to the rest of your body
Eye health is as important as body health. In fact, your eye doctor can actually detect some health conditions, like diabetes, before you start to show other signs. Early detection can help you to better manage health issues before they become a bigger problem.
2. Early detection of eye diseases may help prevent vision loss
A qualified eye doctor can detect early signs of eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and detached retina, often before visual symptoms appear. Sometimes treatment can slow or prevent vision loss, especially with diseases like glaucoma.
3. An eye exam does more than test visual acuity
Many people think of eye exams as simply checking to see if glasses or contact lenses are needed. But an eye exam is so much more. During an eye exam, a doctor may dilate your pupil, allowing them to see the eye’s internal structure as well as the back of the eye, including the retina, and the blood vessels that nourish it. Dilation is critical for your doctor to be able to examine your lens for signs of a cataract. Some specialty tests can also check for things like color blindness, depth perception, and peripheral vision.
4. Caring for your eyes can lead to a better quality of life
Eyesight affects not only how we see, but also how we feel. It affects our performance at work or school. It affects how we drive, the hobbies we participate in, and even how much down time we experience due to eye strain-related headaches and fatigue. Making eye health a priority can lead to an improved quality of life at both work and play.
How often should we get eye exams? Most eye doctors recommend a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, depending on your age, risk factors, and whether or not you currently wear corrective lenses.
So what are you waiting for? Don’t wait until you notice a change in your vision to see an eye doctor. Put “Get an eye exam” on your New Year’s resolution list this year. Chances are, you will be glad you did.
The AptheraTM intraocular lens (IOL) is a replacement lens exclusively designed to give you the advantage of clear, focused vision from near to far, and everything in between after cataract surgery.1
Ask your eye doctor if the Apthera™ lens is right for you.
Live life in focus.
Find an Apthera IOL doctor near you.
Resources:
1Data on file, AcuFocus, Inc.
For more information:
https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-exam/preparing.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glaucoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372846
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-exams-101
