Hindsight Is 20/20: Protect Your Vision Today

Your annual healthcare routine should include a number of healthy habits, like yearly physicals and updated vaccinations, and a regular eye exam is a necessary inclusion. Your vision, while obviously important in its own right, also shares crucial connections with multiple different aspects of your health.

If you’ve been thinking about putting off your exam, consider a few reasons why you shouldn’t:

Eye exams are a form of preventive care. Many diseases that can, later on, have severe effects on your vision and eye health do not show warning symptoms, but managing these conditions is significantly easier when caught early.

The eyes offer insight into the health of your entire body. An eye exam can reveal issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, glaucoma and liver disease. Like with your eyes, catching any of these diseases early greatly aids your treatment process.

Healthy brain function relies on healthy eyesight. Your optic nerve connects your eyes and your brain, necessitating a healthy co-dependent relationship. Good vision improves your athletic ability, driving skills, and learning and comprehension, all leading to an overall better quality of life.

Vision is a major part of our everyday life. Protecting it means protecting our whole-body health, as well as our ability to perform necessary tasks. Especially during the summer months, when the sun’s UV rays can pose a very real danger, it’s always helpful to have a little refresher on eye care.

Here are a few tips to keep your eyes on the prize:

Be aware of the recommended check-ups for your age group. Most adults under age 40 should have a complete eye exam every two to three years. From then on, you should increase in frequency when needed; by the time you reach roughly 65, it’s recommended to get a routine eye exam once every year.

For children, this is recommended every two years or so, starting at six months.

Wear sunglasses and brimmed hats outdoors. Specifically seek eyewear that absorbs UV rays, supplement with a hat to block additional rays from up above and take breaks from the sun on long days out.

Always seek help if necessary. If you notice any issues, like decreased vision, eye pain, double vision or flashes of light, don’t wait for your next appointment. Schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have your eyes checked.

Sources:

“Keep an Eye on Your Vision Health,” cdc.gov, accessed July 6, 2023.

“Protect Your Eyes From the Sun,” preventingblindness.gov, accessed July 6, 2023.