There arecommon questionsabout vision health that many of us have.Letslook at nine of the mostfrequentlyasked questions about vision health and vision care.
1) Can I reduce the risk of vision loss?
Yes, there are several proactive steps you can take to reduce the risk of vision loss.Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a key part of reducing the risk of vision loss.
Here are some of the actions you can take to reduce vision loss:
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Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetablesthatyou enjoy and keeps you satisfied.
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Regular exercisecan also improve blood circulation, whichbenefitsthe eyes.
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Avoid smoking.asit increases the risk of developing age-related eye diseases.
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Protect your eyes fromUV raysby wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays.
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Additionally,manage chronic conditions such asdiabetes and hypertension,as they canimpactvision health.
2) Are regular eye exams important?
Regular eye exams are essential to vision health because they can detect signs of vision problems and eye diseases at an early stage whenthey'remost treatable. Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma,diabetic retinopathy,and macular degeneration,often have no early symptoms. Early detection through regular exams can prevent or slow vision loss.
3) What happens during an eye exam?
An eye exam typically involves several tests to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. A full-service eye exam may include some of the following vision tests:
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Visual Acuity Test:Measures how well you see at various distances.
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Refraction Test:Determinesyour prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
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Visual Field Test:Checks for blind spots in your peripheral vision, which canindicateeye disease or other health issues.
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Tonometry:Measures the pressure inside your eyes to check for glaucoma.
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Pupil Dilation:Involves using eye drops to widen your pupils, allowing the eye doctor to examine the retina and optic nerve for signs of disease.
4) Which vision correction method is best: contacts or glasses?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to vision correction. Choosing betweeneyeglasses and contact lenses depends on personal preference, lifestyle, and specific vision needs. Here are some of the key vision correction differences between eyeglasses and contact lenses:
Glasses:
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Easier to wear and maintain
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Can correct a broader range of vision problemsand are customized to your exact prescription
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Less likely to cause eye infections since theydon'ttouch the eyes directly
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Can offer protection from dust, debris, and harmful UV rays with the right lenses
Contact Lenses:
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Provide a wider field of view since they move with your eyes
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Less likely to get in the way during physical activities
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Available invarious types, including daily, biweekly, and monthly disposables
When deciding between eyeglasses and contact lenses, consider factors such as convenience, comfort, and your specific vision requirements. Some people use both methods of vision correction: wearing glasses at home and wearing contacts when they need the convenience and unobstructed view they provide. Mostvision insurance plansoffersavingsincluding allowances for prescription eyewear, this can be a great reason to add vision insurance if youdontalready have it.
5) What are common causes of vision loss for people over 40 years old?
Several conditions can cause vision loss and impairment in individuals 40 and older;here are some of the most common causes:
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Presbyopia: A natural part of aging where theeye'slens becomes less flexible, making it difficult to focus on close objects. Presbyopia is common and typically managed with reading glasses or adding near-vision capabilities to your existing glasses prescription.
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Cataracts: Clouding of theeye'slens, leading to blurry vision.
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Glaucoma: Increased pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve.
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Deterioration of the central part of the retina, affecting central vision.
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Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels in the retina caused by diabetes.
No matter what your age, taking care of yourvision healthmatters. Understanding the more common reasons for vision loss can help you make choices that support your eyesight.
6) What are the differences between an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist, and Optician?
Selecting the right eye care professional can be confusing.Heresa breakdown of the differences between ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians.
Ophthalmologist:
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A medical doctor specializing in eyeor subspecializing in certain parts of the eye
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Performs eye exams, diagnoses and treats eye diseases, prescribes medications, and performs eye surgery
Optometrist:
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Doctors of Optometryareprimaryhealth care professionalswho are the frontline of eye and vision care
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Examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases and disorders related to the eye
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Prescribescorrective lenses and medications for certain eye conditions, as well as performscertain surgical procedures
Optician:
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A technician who designs, fits, and dispenses corrective lenses based on the prescriptions provided by ophthalmologists and optometrists
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Does not perform eye exams or treat eye diseases
Knowing theexpertiseof each eye care professional empowers you to make informed decisions about yourvisionhealth.
8) What are UV rays? How can they cause damage to your eyes?
UV raysare a type of electromagnetic radiation from the sun. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage various parts of the eye, leading to conditions such as:
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Cataracts: UV radiation increases the risk of cataract formation.
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Macular Degeneration: UV rays can contribute to the deterioration of the central retina.
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Photokeratitis: A painful, temporary conditionsimilar toa sunburnon the cornea.
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Pinguecula: A deterioration of theconjuntiva, or white part of the eye.
To protect your eyes from UV rays, wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays and consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat foradditionalprotection.
9) What common health conditions can damage eyes?
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Diabetes: Can lead to diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma.
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Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina.
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Thyroid Disorders: Can cause eye problems like dry eyes, double vision, and bulging eyes.
Managing these health conditions effectively with the help of health care professionals can protect your vision.
Care for Your Vision and Save With VSP Individual Vision Plans
Regular eye exams, a healthy lifestyle, and proper eye protection can significantly reduce the risk of vision problems. Havingvision insurancecan make your corrective eyewear and regular eye exams simple and cost-effective. When researching your vision insurance plan, make sure they offer a large network of providers in your area, andcompare the benefitsyoullhave access to. These may includean allowance for glasses or contacts, low-cost eye exams, and more.VSP Individual Vision Plansmake it simple tofind an eye doctor near you.
Sponsored by VSP. Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Reviewed by Michelle Cooper, O.D.
Michelle Cooper, OD, has been in solo private practice in Greenville, SC for over 30 years. She focuses on comprehensive eye care including managing ocular diseases, treating dry eye, fitting contact lenses, and helping patients with personalized solutions to their eye and vision issues.
In addition to full-time clinical practice, Dr. Cooper is a VSP Vision Care Provider and a VSP Vision Ambassador where she works with other doctors to improve access to eye care and raise awareness of the importance of eye health. Her passion is treating each of her patients as a unique individual and maintaining a warm and family-oriented atmosphere in her clinic.
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