Our eyesight is one of our most important senses and for most people it’s the most dominant one. It enables us to interact with and understand the world, as well as stay safe in it. This is why keeping our eyes healthy is so key and a big part of that is having regular eye examinations throughout our lives. Most optometrists recommend making an appointment every one or two years (starting when we’re six months old) and more frequently if you have any concerns about your vision. Read on to find out what to expect during an eye exam and why they matter so much.
What happens during an eye exam?
We’ve all seen scenes on TV shows of people covering one eye and reading from a chart, but in reality an eye exam is much more comprehensive. It’s also far more thorough than the sight tests conducted in schools, which is why you should be sure to make an appointment for your kids too.
Your optometrist will conduct several different tests to evaluate various aspects of not only your vision but also the health of your eyes. This includes looking at factors such as peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, eye coordination, your ability to focus on close up and far away objects, plus how well your eyes work together. You’ll be pleased to know that none of these tests are painful or uncomfortable, so there’s no need for you or your kids to be apprehensive about going!
After conducting an eye exam, Eye Effects can prescribe the relevant type of contact lenses or glasses you require and advise you on how best to take care of your eyes. This can be especially important with so many of us working on computers all day.
Why are eye exams so important?
There are many reasons why you should be having regular eye exams throughout your life. Firstly, they help you to enjoy the clearest vision possible by evaluating your eyesight and prescribing any necessary corrective measures or treatments. In addition, eye exams can check the condition of your eyes and spot early signs of eye disease such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration that you may be unable to notice yourself until a much later stage. This means you can benefit from early intervention, which is much more likely to lead to a healthy outcome.
When it comes to your kids, regular eye exams can also have additional benefits. Vision disorders are a common health problem for children and can have negative impacts on their education – particularly if they are misdiagnosed. Difficulties seeing can also affect a child’s ability to socialize, for example by preventing them from joining in with games or team sports and lead to isolation or even the risk of bullying. It also has an impact on their safety, such as when crossing a busy street. All of which means that taking your children to the optometrist on a regular basis is a key part of making sure they’re happy and healthy.
