Why Annual Eye Exams Are Important

Why is it important to have an annual eye exam? If you wear glasses or contact lenses, do you really need to return to your eye doctor every year?

Regular eye exams aren’t only for measuring changes in your vision. They are key to the prevention and early detection of eye diseases that could result in permanent vision loss. Problems with your vision can be an indicator of eye health and even your overall health, and a comprehensive eye exam is the most effective means of diagnosing serious eye conditions.

Eye conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration often have no early symptoms and can only be detected in their early stages through an eye exam. When left undiagnosed and untreated, these conditions can lead to permanent vision loss.

What to expect from your comprehensive eye exam

During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will run a series of tests to look for signs of eye disease and/or vision impairment. What your doctor finds during your exam will help guide the exam and may call for supplemental tests. A comprehensive exam may include procedures including (but notlimited to):

• Measurements of visual activity
• Tests of specific vision functions
• Eye health evaluation
• Refraction tests
• Eye focusing, eye teaming and eye movement testing

Depending on the findings of your exam, your doctor will provide recommendations for treatment and/or vision correction. Recommendations may include contact lenses, prescription glasses or LASIK eye surgery.

Before you see your eye doctor, be sure you know your family eye health history. Some eye conditions are hereditary, and just as your doctor should know about any family history of heart disease, diabetes or cancer, your eye doctor should know of any family history of eye conditions or eye disease. Knowing your family eye health history and informing your eye doctor of any family history of eye conditions will help determine if you may be at a higher risk of developing these conditions.

Schedule your eye exam today

Is it time for you to have your eyes checked? Contact the Dallas vision experts at the Key-Whitman Eye Center to schedule your comprehensive eye exam today.