Taking a trip to your eye doctor's office each year is an important way to maintain your eye health. Following the right steps can make sure you get the most out of each appointment. These are four things you should always do at the optometrist's office.
1. Talk about eye discomfort
Eyes are naturally very sensitive. Anyone who's ever gotten an eyelash in their eye knows how much even tiny foreign objects can be a pain in the eye. However, you should never feel ongoing, sustained eye discomfort. It's important to mention any ongoing eye discomfort you experience to your optometrist so they can help you correct the problem. Red, itchy eyes that burn or sting may be a symptom of untreated allergies. If so, your eye doctor can recommend antihistamine eye drops to relieve your symptoms. Eye discomfort can also be caused by dry eyes. Fortunately, there are many clinical treatments for dry eyes that can help you keep your eyes moisturized and safe.
2. Bring your glasses or contact lenses
People who wear glasses and contact lenses should bring these devices with them to the optometrist's office. The shape of your eye can change over time, which is why your eye doctor may want to check the fit of your contact lenses. They can also examine your glasses for signs of damage.
3. Mention subjective vision changes
The visual acuity test your eye doctor administers can catch many common vision changes. If your myopia or hyperopia has gotten worse, a standard eye exam will allow your optometrist to make the necessary changes to your prescription. However, there are some vision changes that are not immediately apparent on diagnostic tests. If you experience unusual vision changes, such as seeing halos around objects or cloudiness in your line of sight, it's important to mention these things to your doctor. These symptoms can indicate medical conditions, such as cataracts or migraines. The more information your optometrist has, the better they will be able to serve you.
4. Don't put off getting your pupils dilated
Most people don't need to have their eyes dilated every year. However, it's a good idea to have your pupils dilated whenever your eye doctor recommends it. Pupil dilation allows your optometrist to examine the back of your eye to check the health of your pupil and optic nerve. You may be tempted to avoid the hassle of messy eye drops and the discomfort they can cause, but it's important not to skip this test. Pupil exams can help you prevent irreversible eye damage and blindness caused by conditions such as glaucoma and diabetes.
Speak to an optometrist to learn more.
Share8 September 2022
Do you remember the last time you thought about the quality of your vision? Although it can be easy to write off vision problems as a simple frustration, taking the time to visit your eye doctor might help you to take care of important aspects of your day to day life. In addition to making your vision more comfortable with the right pair of frames or the right contact lenses, going to the eye doctor might also help you to keep up with your overall eye care. If you have an undetected disease or illness, your eye doctor might mention it before it affects your health. Read this blog for more information.
