It’s common for all of us to get sick or face some type of injury. However, some people won’t see a doctor until these events occur, and when it comes to preventative care, this strategy could wind up costing you your health. The same goes for eye care: seeing a good optometrist or ophthalmologist could reduce your risk for eye problems, especially if you are one of the millions of Americans at risk for vision loss or one of the 14 million Americans over the age of 12 with a visual impairment.
How can you tell when it’s time to find an eye doctor in your area? Here are some signs it’s time to find an eye doctor and make an appointment for an eye exam.
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1. It’s been a while since your last appointment. Eye doctors recommend an eye exam at least once per year — just like a physical at your general practitioner’s office. Eye exams are necessary for good eye health in order to diagnose and treat any illnesses that may develop.
2. Your eye glasses or contact lens prescription has changed. Approximately 75% of Americans use some form of corrective lenses for their vision, and it’s natural for our prescriptions to change over time. If your vision has become blurred, you have trouble seeing at night, or there are any other changes, see an eye doctor for an exam.
3. You have a chronic illness that affects your vision. Diabetics are at risk for vision problems such as cataracts, and glaucoma and macular degeneration affect millions of adults, too. If you have or suspect you have any vision problems, it’s important to visit your eye doctor on a regular basis.
4. You have developed an eye infection or other condition. An infection in the eye can be serious — and it could potentially lead to a loss in vision if left untreated. If you notice anything strange about your vision, it’s imperative to visit an eye doctor immediately.
Have more questions about how to find an eye doctor or where to get an eye exam? Ask your family and friends for eye doctor recommendations. Make sure to choose an eye doctor in your insurance network if that applies to you. You can also leave a comment below for more information on the services of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Links like this.