Is it time for your next eye exam?

It feels so good to gaze at a colorful landscape or a person we care about. Clear vision and good eye health is important to daily quality of life. Even if getting eye exams isn’t top of mind for you like a routine doctor visit, your vision is still an important part of your overall health. 

We’ll show you the top reasons why it might be time for your next eye exam. 

When Is It Time to Get an Eye Exam?

If you seem to be seeing the world “just fine,” that’s great. However, there’s more to your eye health than if you can see well. When deciding if it’s time to schedule your next eye exam, there are a few things to consider, but the most important one is simply timing. If your last eye exam was more than 12 months ago, it’s time! 

While one eye exam every year should help you to stay on top of your eye health, some people might need more than one exam in a year. Vision can change quite a bit over the course of a year, especially for those over the age of 50, and it is important to know when to schedule an additional appointment. 

Here are 7 signs that you should get an eye exam soon: 

  1. You are seeing spots, flashes of light, or floaters. The appearance of floaters or what seem like flashes of light can be alarming, and their causes can be either mild or serious. That’s why it’s important to check with your eye doctor, especially if any symptom has appeared suddenly. 
  2. You have diabetes or another health condition that affects your eyes. Also, if you have a family history of conditions like diabetes or glaucoma, you may need exams more often, especially as you move into your 50s and beyond. Ask your optometrist if you need to have more frequent eye exams due to any of these situations. 
  3. You have difficulty driving at night and seeing street signs in the dark. Driving at night is naturally more challenging than during the day, but if you’re really working hard to make out signs or you see halos around lights, it’s time to consult your optometrist. They can check for cataracts and other underlying issues that contribute to nyctalopia, or “night blindness.” 
  4. You experience digital eye strain, headaches and/or blurred vision after spending a long time in front of a computer screen. With an eye exam, the optometrist can recommend changes to your prescription lenses, your lighting, or even your habits with computer screen use.
  5. You get motion sick, dizzy, or have frequent headaches. If your eyes are having trouble focusing, it can put strain on your eye muscles, which can show up as dizziness, headaches, and blurred vision. 
  6. You hold reading materials farther away from your face and squint or close one eye to read them clearly. This is a common occurrence in adults over 40 and is called presbyopia. It simply means you could benefit from reading glasses, or an adjustment to current prescription lenses to add near-vision correction. 
  7. You notice any changes in your vision, especially after an incident of head trauma. After any impact to your head, your vision can be affected, and it is important to have an eye exam to protect your vision health and help to address any symptoms like double vision or even loss of sight. 

Other Health Benefits of Eye Exams

Don't wait until you experience any of these eye problems or issues before you schedule an eye exam. Keep in mind that an eye exam benefits more than just your eyes. Your eye doctor can detect signs of  a wide range of diseases, like diabetes or high blood pressure, just by looking at your eyes.  

If anything on this list applies to you, take the time to schedule an appointment with a VSP network eye doctor. If you don’t have vision insurance to help you save on your eye exam, consider the benefits of a VSP Individual Vision Plan. You can enroll in a new plan at almost any time and start using your vision insurance the same day.

 

Information received through VSP Vision Care's social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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