Why Your Eye Doctor Appointment Shouldn't Be Missed

Posted on: 4 March 2022

As you deal with life's responsibilities and chaos, you'll likely try to find ways to tighten your schedule to save time. One way you might try to tighten your schedule is by skipping certain appointments that you normally keep, but your regular checkup at the eye doctor is something you definitely won't want to miss. Here are a few specific reasons why you don't want to miss your eye doctor appointment.

Vision changes could be occurring.

Vision loss can occur gradually, and you might not notice that your range of vision is decreasing right away. The eye doctor can perform a series of diagnostic tests to determine if your eyesight seems to be diminishing so that the appropriate treatments can be prescribed. The classic visual acuity test, which will involve you reading a series of numbers and letters on a chart from a distance with both eyes open or while covering one eye at a time, will likely be the first diagnostic test that the eye doctor uses to gauge your vision. Refraction testing, a slit lamp examination and other tests can also be done to help the eye doctor diagnose any vision changes. 

Underlying eye conditions can be diagnosed.

Some serious eye conditions that may lead to blindness and other major eye problems are often asymptomatic in their early stages, and your eye doctor may discover certain underlying conditions during your eye exam that can be treated before they start to impact your vision. The eyes may be examined closer by dilating them to look deeper into each eye or emitting air puffs into the eyes to measure eye pressure. Some serious eye conditions that don't always cause symptoms in the earliest stages but can still be diagnosed at an eye doctor appointment include:  

  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts
  • Retinopathy
  • Macular edema
  • Macular degeneration

Prescription eyewear can be updated. 

Even if you think that your current eyewear lets you see as clearly as possible, you might be surprised to know how much your vision has actually decreased during an eye exam. If your eyes have become weaker, the eye doctor can update your prescription eyewear so that the new glasses or contacts that you get can help you see to your fullest potential. Any other problems that you might be having with your current prescription eyewear can also be addressed during your appointment.

A checkup by your eye doctor is just as important as many of the other health checkups that you need to stay healthy. You can schedule an appointment with a local eye doctor from a practice like Northwest Ophthalmology and be seen at a time that won't interfere too much with your busy routine. 

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