An optometrist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the examination and treatment of eyesight or vision. Optometrists are trained to diagnose and treat various eye conditions and vision problems. They also prescribe corrective lenses and provide other vision-related services.
If you’ve been putting off a visit to the optometrist, it’s time to reconsider. Here are six reasons why you should make an appointment soon.
1. To Check for Common Eye Conditions
Many common eye conditions can be easily treated if they’re caught early. An optometrist can check for signs of conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. If you have a family history of any of these conditions, it’s especially important to get regular eye exams.
2. To Preserve Your Vision
Even if you don’t currently have vision problems, an annual exam can help prevent future issues from developing. The earlier a problem is detected, the easier it will be to treat effectively. In some cases, such as with macular degeneration or glaucoma, there is no cure but early detection and treatment can slow down the progression and preserve your vision for longer than if the condition is allowed to worsen unchecked.
3. To Check for Overall Health Conditions
Your eyes can be a window into your overall health. An optometrist can sometimes spot signs of diabetes, high cholesterol, or even brain tumors based on changes in the eye. If you have any concerns about your health, an eye exam is a good way to get additional information.
4. To Get New Glasses or Contacts
If you’re due for an update to your glasses prescription or are thinking about trying contacts for the first time, an appointment with an optometrist is necessary. They will be able to perform a comprehensive vision test, come up with an accurate prescription, and help you find the right corrective lenses to improve your vision.
5. To Improve Your Performance at Work or School
If it’s been a while since your last eye exam and you’re starting to notice that things aren’t as clear as they used to be, it could be affecting your performance at work or school. Without corrected vision, reading texts or documents becomes more difficult, and taking notes in class may become harder, too. Getting new glasses or contacts can make a big difference in how well уоuperform your job or succeed academically.
6. To Stay Safe on the Road
If you’re having trouble seeing clearly while driving, it’s time to visit the optometrist. Poor vision can put you and others at risk when operating a vehicle. Whether you need a new prescription for glasses or contacts, or simply need to have your eyes checked for age-related changes like cataracts, an annual exam is essential for safe driving.
Top Optometrist in Washington, Missouri
Dr. Becky Lory is a talented optometrist at Advanced Sight Center. She provides the highest quality eye care in Washington for our patients. We are an eye center, with board-certified ophthalmologists on our team, which means we can provide comprehensive care for conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
It’s about time you give your eyes some special care. To schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, call our office today at (636) 239-1650, or use our convenient online request form.
