When was the last time you got your eyes checked? If you’re like most people, you only consider an eye exam if you think something is wrong, like maybe you can’t see as clearly or have a headache. However, most of us should see an optometrist once a year, regardless of whether we have 20/20 vision. 

When you undergo a yearly eye exam, it is not only for evaluation of your sight, but also an opportunity to check for any significant conditions long before they occur with symptoms. If an eye doctor finds an issue damaging your vision or health, why would you wait a year before addressing it? Here are several reasons why an eye exam is more important than some think. 

6 Big Reasons to Get an Eye Test Even With 20/20

Even people with 20/20 vision can have problems with their eyes unknown to them. Here are six primary reasons you should still get an annual exam for your eyes:

1. Eye Health Isn’t Just About Vision 

Just because you can see it doesn’t mean your eyes are completely healthy. Eye exams check can detect early signs of serious conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Many of these problems don’t show obvious symptoms in the beginning. Catching them early can save your vision.

2. Your Eyes Can Reveal Bigger Health Issues

Your eyes can reveal a lot about your overall health. During an eye exam, doctors can detect signs of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even some cancers. Often, these health issues show up in your eyes before you notice any symptoms.

3. Your Vision May Change Without You Knowing It

Small changes can happen even if you’ve had 20/20 vision for a long time. Annual exams see where you might have changed without it being obvious daily. Updating your prescription can save you from headaches, eye strain, and fatigue.

4. Digital Screens Hurt Our Eyes

Most of us spend a fair amount of time on computers, phones, and tablets. This screen time can lead to digital eye strain, dry eyes, or blurry vision. A yearly eye exam can help your doctor see early signs of screen-related stress and then offer tips or treatment to combat eye problems. 

5. Children and Seniors Require Extra Attention

If you are scheduling an appointment for your kids or ageing parents, you are halfway there! Kids’ eyes change quickly; early checks can identify issues impacting learning. Regular eye care is essential for seniors to remain independent and detect age-related eye disease.

6. Peace of Mind is Priceless

Finally, regular vision assessments also give you peace of mind. Knowing whether your eyes are healthy or addressing any issues early saves you from larger health concerns down the line. It is a small investment of time that pays off massively.

Preventing Vision Problems in the Future 

Regular eye examinations can help avoid future vision issues by identifying problems earlier in their progression. Many of the most common vision issues start mildly and worsen over time. With the right treatment, these issues can be corrected with glasses or contacts, reducing strain and helping maintain clear vision for years. 

Moreover, ocular diseases can be more effectively treated when identified earlier. For example, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be treated with medication or therapy if identified early enough. And, if you do not get regular eye examinations, you may not notice the slow changes in your eyesight until it has worsened sufficiently to be more difficult to manage.

The Impact of Aging on Eye Health 

The health of your eyes is going to change as you age. As we age, the lens in our eye becomes more rigid, making it difficult to focus on nearby objects. This age-related condition is described as presbyopia, and although it is a regular part of aging, visiting an eye care professional regularly can help correct this issue. 

Regular eye examinations are also crucial to eye health later in life. A much greater risk for conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration occurs after 40 years. Hence, eye examinations are essential for older adults to maintain quality of life through early detection of age-related conditions. 

Identify Problems Early: Book Your Eye Exam! 

Annual exams help to identify problems you did not realise you had. Being proactive about your eye care is critical in establishing better long-term eye health. 

Don’t wait for problems to show up—book your eye test today at Robin Hall Opticians.