We know you’re busy. We do – we’re all quite busy, too. However, and we’ll make it quick, we’d like to encourage you to take a tiny bit of your time, at least once a year, and come see us for a comprehensive eye exam.
But, you say, my eyesight is fine. My vision’s not blurry. Why should I waste some of my precious time at the optometrists’ office when I can see clearly? We’re so glad you asked!
- You need to be able to see to learn. While this largely applies to children, it’s still so, so important. Multiples studies have been conducted and the results show that children who can’t see clearly often fall behind their peers at school. Don’t set your kids up for failure – make sure they see an eye doctor regularly, from the age of 3 on.
As a side note on this one: Vision screenings are NOT eye exams. While screenings are a great way to help parents determine that their child may need an eye exam, passing a vision screening does not mean your child’s sight is perfect. Aside from eye-related diseases (which we’ll get to in a bit), it’s possible that your child is accommodating for poor vision, straining their eyes to see clearly, and causing their eyes to work much harder than necessary. This can result in headaches, poor concentration, etc., so please, please come see us, even if a school vision screening didn’t indicate any problems. - Myopia is becoming pretty commonplace. There are studies indicating this may have something to do with the increased amount of time we’re all spending in front of screens, but regardless the condition is more prevalent, and it’s nothing to take lightly. According to an article by optometrist Gary Heiting on allaboutvision.com, “Children who become nearsighted very early in life tend to experience a worsening and progression of nearsightedness that continues throughout childhood – and this puts them at a significantly greater risk of very serious and potentially sight-threatening eye conditions later in life, including cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment.”
- Eye diseases/disorders aren’t always easy to detect. From amblyopia to strabismus to glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, you may not realize anything is wrong with your eye(s) until it’s too late. During an eye exam, an optometrist will examine not just how well you can see. He/she will evaluate the health and structure of your eye, looking for inconsistencies or changes that may indicate something is amiss. Many eye diseases/disorders can, without early intervention, result in decreased vision, and sometimes blindness. Regular vision exams help ensure that any issues are detected early, making treatment more effective.