Why You Should Have an Eye Exam Even If You Have Perfect Vision

Eye exams aren’t really something you think about when you don’t have vision problems. Until you reach 40, you usually only need an eye exam every five years or so. But these appointments are important, even if you don’t have any symptoms of vision failure. A recent study found that 58% of people who had no symptoms and went in for an eye exam had changes in vision, and 16% received a critical diagnosis.

At UltraVision, we can give you a comprehensive eye exam and let you know what schedule you should follow for further eye exams. Below are some of the reasons you should try to keep these appointments, even if your vision is perfect.

In their early stages, eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration can have few symptoms. You may not notice pain, discomfort or changes in your vision even though you have the beginnings of these diseases.

However, the doctors at UltraVision may be able to detect them in their early stages through a comprehensive eye exam. Pupil dilation during the exam allows a look at the internal structure of your eye, which can reveal serious problems.

One of the easiest ways to detect problems in your eyes is to look for changes to your eyes over time. Slight changes in the shape of your eye can indicate problems or may be something to watch, requiring more frequent eye exams.

You most likely won’t be able to notice these changes, but if you have an exam when your eyes are healthy, your doctor can keep records and monitor for changes. Getting a thorough eye exam before your vision starts failing is an important part of establishing a baseline for future visits.

Generally, changes in vision occur slowly. You may not notice if signs in the distance become more difficult to read over months or years or if you’re having difficulty driving at night. This is because your brain compensates as your vision deteriorates. So even though you think you have perfect vision, you might have a subtle correction that needs to be made.

Once these minor vision problems are corrected, you may notice an improved quality in your life such as fewer headaches or improved mood, even though you didn’t realize your vision was inadequate before.

Occasionally, eye problems cause physical symptoms in other areas of your body. For example, computer vision syndrome, caused by too much screen time, can manifest as neck pain or headaches. Your first stop might be to your general practitioner or a chiropractor; however, your opthamologist can recognize the effects of digital eye strain and help you make some changes to alleviate your symptoms.

Another good reason to come in for those routine eye exams is to get professional advice on how to maintain your current vision. While you can read about eye health online, a one-on-one appointment gives you the chance to ask questions and develop a rapport with your doctor. Additionally, we can help you identify risk factors in your life and ways to mitigate them to keep your vision stable.

Even if you don’t have symptoms or think you have perfect vision, you should still have regular eye exams. If you haven’t had one in a while and need to schedule an eye exam, make an appointment at UltraVision either online or by phone.