Top Reasons You Should Get Your Eyes Tested
Have you been planning on getting your eyes tested but never seem to get around to making an appointment? Don’t put it off any longer. Deteriorating eyesight usually happens very gradually, so much so, that you won’t notice it at first. Your first eye test won’t just detect poor eyesight, it may also uncover illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure. If you’ve already had your eyes tested in the past you should make your eye tests a regular occurrence so consider the reasons you should get your eyes tested and make your appointment today.
Your Age
When you hit your mid-thirties or early forties, you may begin to notice that you’re not seeing things as clearly as you used to. Regular eye tests will ensure you are wearing the right prescription lenses. Furthermore, if you spend endless hours each day staring at a computer screen, you may need to check your prescription a little more frequently.
Eye Strain
One of the first symptoms of vision problems is eye strain. If you’ve noticed you need to squint or really try to focus just to read the simplest text, it’s definitely time to get your eyes tested or check to ensure you have the right prescription. Make sure you schedule your eye test as soon as you notice things are getting harder to read.
Headaches
Sometimes there are no tell-tale signs that your vision is no longer perfect. You may still be able to see things quite clearly, even if you don’t need to squint to see clearly. But have you noticed that longer periods of working or reading result in you getting headaches? If you get headaches while driving, reading or working in front of a computer screen, then you may have a vision problem. An eye test will reveal any issues and you may find much-needed relief with the right pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses.
Blurry Vision
Blurry vision is an eye problem that usually takes years to develop and in many cases, it goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, it could also be a sign of an underlying problem such as type 2 diabetes or glaucoma. This is not something you want to leave unchecked for any length of time. At the first sign of blurry vision, book yourself in for an eye test. Whether it is just a vision problem or a health issue, you want to take care of it as soon as possible. Furthermore, the longer you allow the problem of poor vision to go on, the worse it can get in a short amount of time.
Floaters
From time to time, you may notice an odd shape come into your field of vision. These shapes are the result of fibers within the vitreous, which is the jelly-like substance inside your eyes. They tend to appear as tiny shadows in your vision and they are often referred to as floaters. These are completely natural and tend to become more common with age. They are not usually a cause for concern and often disappear within a few weeks. However, if you notice they occur more frequently and tend to stick around for longer periods, your best course of action is to have your eyes checked.
Good Vision On Your Safety
You may think your vision is good enough to get by on a day to day basis, but have you ever thought of how dangerous it can be for you to try and function with less than perfect eyesight? You can very easily miss warning signs or even misjudge distances, which could suggest a need for multifocal lenses. This is particularly hazardous when you are driving or operating any type of machinery. An eye test is necessary for you to be able to have the correct prescription glasses or contact lenses so you can see everything around you more clearly.
Your Eyes Don't Hurt
Pain is the body’s usual response when something is wrong. A prime example of this is your teeth and if you’ve ever suffered through a toothache you’ll understand the pain factor. Eyes, on the other hand, very rarely hurt so it’s easy to miss any symptoms that you have an eye or vision problem. Regular eye tests are your best chance at discovering and problems and having them corrected as soon as possible.
Underlying Health Problems
Eye tests are important to determine if you need corrective eyewear, but regular check-ups may also be instrumental at discovering underlying health problems. Some of the most common health issues that can be detected during an eye exam are glaucoma and diabetes, but there are other serious conditions that can also be discovered early during a routine eye test. Saggy eyelids can be a sign of myasthenia gravis, constant red eyes may indicate fatigue or allergies and bulging eyes could be one of the first symptoms of Grave’s disease. These are just some of the symptoms that can be detected during an eye test and all can be treated with early detection.
Genetics
Poor eyesight, diabetes and other issues often run in families and unfortunately, we can’t avoid our genetic predisposition to certain problems. However, regular eye exams can bring about an awareness of any of these concerns and the earlier you treat them, the easier it is to delay or even cure many of these problems. Whether you have a family history of any of these problems or not, it’s still a good idea to commit to regular eye tests.
At the first sign of any problem related to your eyes, you should book yourself in for an eye test. If you are already benefitting from corrective eyewear, regular visits to your optician will ensure you are wearing the correct prescription glasses or contact lenses. Correct vision is important for anyone in the workforce to adequately get their job done, and for students, it simply makes studying a lot easier and less stressful. Take care of your eye problems and you may eliminate any other problems as well.
