Most people know that they should see their doctor for an annual physical, but did you know that you should also be seeing your eye doctor every year? Just like the rest of your body, your eyes change as you age and it’s important to monitor those changes to ensure that your vision stays sharp. Here are three reasons why you should make sure to schedule an annual eye exam.
To Check for Common Age-Related Conditions
As we age, we become more susceptible to certain conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. These conditions can often be treated if caught early, so it’s important to have regular eye exams so that your eye doctor can check for any signs of these conditions.
To Maintain Good Overall Health
Your eyes can often be an indicator of your overall health. For example, diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in your retina and high blood pressure can lead to bleeding in the back of your eye. By having regular eye exams, your eye doctor can often catch signs of these and other conditions before they become serious health problems.
To Keep Your Vision Sharp
Even if you don’t have any health concerns, it’s still important to have regular eye exams so that your vision stays sharp as you age. If you wait too long between exams, small changes in your vision may go undetected and could eventually lead to permanent vision loss.
While annual physicals are a given for most people, annual eye exams often get overlooked. However, it’s just as important to see your eye doctor every year as it is to see your primary care physician. Regular eye exams can help catch common age-related conditions early, maintain good overall health, and keep your vision sharp as you age. So don’t wait – schedule an appointment with your eye doctor today!
