According to a recent survey, only 50% of Americans go for an eye check-up annually. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends regular eye exams for protection against eye diseases. Sometimes, you might have to get an eye exam before one year lapses. Here are signs that you need to get an eye exam.
Your Risk for Eye Diseases Is High
Certain factors heighten your risk of developing eye diseases. Some of these factors are beyond your control.
You need to go for regular eye exams if:
You Have Severe Headaches
If you have throbbing pain behind your eyes, you have difficulty seeing. This can result in severe headaches. In mild cases, your eye doctor will prescribe over-the-counter medication or a pair of glasses.
In some cases, the headaches are a result of digital eye strain. This is caused by the blue light emitted by computer screens and phones. Your eye doctor will give you blue light lenses to minimize your exposure.
Difficulty With Night Vision
During the night, your eyes work harder. However, if you are having trouble seeing or experiencing undue strain on your eyes at night, you should go for an eye exam. Another common experience is problems with lighting transitions. If you have problems adapting from dark to light, you most likely have an eye condition.
Floaters or Weird Light Flashes
Another warning sign that you should go for an eye exam is weird light flashes, also known as floaters. It is normal to see little dark spots after looking at something bright for an extended period. However, if you abruptly start seeing floaters, you should have an eye exam.
Additionally, you should be alarmed if you are having trouble seeing from the sides of your eyes. This is a sign of retinal detachment, which happens when the retina is withdrawn from the wall of your eye. Retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss in a few days if not treated. Therefore, when you notice difficulty seeing from the sides of your eyes, visit an optometrist for an eye check-up.
In Closing
You shouldn't wait to visit an optometrist when you start experiencing eye problems. At least get your eyes checked annually. To protect your vision, ensure you eat foods rich in Vitamin A, protect your eyes from blue light and UV rays, and avoid glaring at your computer screen or phone for extended periods.
Share17 October 2022
Hi, I'm Deena, and as I neared middle age, I noticed that my eyesight wasn't as good as it used to be. I first started out needing reading glasses to read the small print in magazines, and then a few months later, I had to put them on to see the computer screen clearly. I knew by then that my eyes were getting worse and that I needed to do something quickly. I made an appointment with the optometrist and the doctor gave me an eye exam. Even though my sight wasn't as bad as I had feared, I still needed prescription glasses. I love my new glasses because I can actually see now. I have put together a lot of information about eye problems, eye tests and even various types of eye wear so that others don't wait as long as I did to see the eye doctor.