Protect Your Vision for a Lifetime
The Importance of Annual Eye Exams:
Our eyes play a crucial role in our everyday lives. They allow us to see the world around us and interact with it. Be aware of the importance of annual eye exams for a lifetime of healthy eyes and clear comfortable vision.
These annual exams are essential for maintaining good eye health and identifying potential problems early on.
In this article, we will discuss the significance of annual eye exams, what to expect during the exam, and your local optometrist, Dr. Ken Van Amerongen of Van’s Eyecare, who can help you with your eye health and vision needs.
Why are annual eye exams crucial?
Annual eye exams have several benefits, including:
Early detection of vision problems:
Annual eye exams can identify nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, reading disorders, and other vision-related problems. These vision problems can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, but if left untreated, they can lead to serious eye problems.
Measurement of vision changes:
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, be aware that your vision may be changing. The changes can be gradual and unnoticed. An eye exam once a year, whether you think you need it or not, will discover these changes and help you maintain clear comfortable vision.
Prescriptions for special vision needs:
Prescriptions for contact lenses, computer glasses, reading glasses, driving glasses, safety goggles, swimming goggles, sports glasses, and sunglasses.
Detection of eye diseases:
Several eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, have no early symptoms. Regular eye exams can identify these diseases early on, allowing for early treatment and potential prevention of vision loss.
Monitoring of chronic conditions:
Annual eye exams can help monitor changes in your eye health related to chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Diagnosis and treatments:
Diagnosis and treatments for dry eye, computer vision syndrome, and bothersome vision-relation conditions.
Checking for eye safety:
Regular eye exams can also detect any damage to your eyes from accidents or injuries and ensure that your eyes function properly.
What to expect during an annual eye exam?
Dr. Van will perform various tests to evaluate the health of your eyes and vision. These tests may include the following:
- Visual acuity test: This test measures how well you can see at different distances.
- Eye muscle test: This test assesses the movement of your eyes.
- Refraction test: With this test, Dr. Van determines your prescription for glasses or contact lenses.
- No-dilation retina exam: This test allows your optometrist to examine the retina and other structures at the back of the eye without the nuisance of pupil dilation.
How often should you have your eyes checked?
- An annual eye exam is a good, precautionary practice for early detection of eye disease.
- An annual exam is highly recommended if you are over age 60, or have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure or a family history of eye disease,
- Children should have their eyes checked at least once between the ages of 6 and 12, then annually after that, especially to stop the progression of myopia.
Your Loveland Eye Doctor: Kenneth Van Amerongen, Optometrist, of Van’s Eyecare
Annual eye exams are critical for maintaining good eye health and detecting potential problems early on. With the help of your local optometrist, Dr. Ken Van Amerongen of Van’s Eyecare, you can protect your vision for life.
Make sure to discuss any vision concerns you have with Dr. Van or the opticians at Van’s Eyecare. Ask any questions you may have about your eye health.
Protect your vision today by scheduling your annual eye exam. Call Van’s Eyecare now at (970) 667-3445.