When should you go for an eye exam?

Vision changes mean something

Visual changes can often be gradual, and since they happen over time, a lot of people don’t even notice it. When things once looked clear, now they might be experiencing slightly less clear vision, but don’t see enough of a difference to really make them think about it. A lot of people attribute their vision changes to the fact that their glasses might be scratched, and don’t see any reason to address the change.

The fact is that any vision change, large or small, should be looked it by an optometrist. If it’s a sudden and dramatic shift, it could be an indicator of other health issues. Even if it’s a small difference, regular eye health should be a priority.

Mark it on your calendar

Even without your vision changing, it’s still a good idea to get a check up every year. Your eyes could fluctuate a little bit every year, and while skipping one year might not seem like much, adjusting to a large change after years of neglect can be difficult.

Not only does an eye exam check your vision, but it takes a look at the overall health of your eyes. Like the rest of your body, your eyes can be affected by certain medical conditions and some genetic diseases can manifest themselves there.

Anything out of place is important

A seemingly small symptom, like frequent headaches or tired feeling eyes, should give you reason for an eye exam. Other rarer occurrences like seeing flashes of light or pain are definite causes for a visit; just because your condition doesn’t seem major doesn’t mean it won’t be an issue to address.

Maintaining the health of your eyes is just as important as other regular doctor visits, so make sure you get a full eye exam every year!