Prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to your eyesight. Assessing the condition of your eyes on your own is impossible, so it’s crucial to regularly consult specialists. However, an eye check-up with an ophthalmologist should be an annual event. This procedure is just as important as visits to other specialists, including a general practitioner, neurologist, dentist, and gynecologist.
It’s important to note that if you have serious complaints about deteriorating vision or have suffered any eye injury, you should not wait. In such cases, you should immediately consult an ophthalmologist.
However, real concern should start when serious complaints about deteriorating vision and a diminished quality of life due to it arise. It’s important to remember that many eye conditions can progress rapidly. Regular annual eye check-ups help identify issues in a timely manner and prevent the development of diseases.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 300 million people worldwide suffer from vision impairments. Surprisingly, 80% of these cases can be prevented or treated. Without timely diagnosis, this is difficult to achieve, and this is where regular annual eye check-ups play a crucial role.
Why is it so important to regularly check your vision?
Over the past two decades, the number of people with vision impairments caused by infectious diseases has significantly decreased, but the visual load associated with computer work is increasing. This can lead to eye muscle fatigue and vision disorders such as astigmatism, optic nerve atrophy, blepharospasm, and others.
On the other hand, dry eye syndrome is becoming more common. The need for frequent blinking increases eye fatigue, which can also contribute to the development of vision impairments.
Myopia (nearsightedness) is one of the most common vision disorders. This condition often develops in adolescence and, if not corrected in a timely manner, can lead to significant vision loss.
In children, common conditions include myopia, hyperopia (farsightedness), and strabismus. Modern correction and treatment methods allow the improvement or restoration of the vision of many patients. But to avoid critical situations, it’s important to undergo annual preventive examinations to detect potential vision problems in advance.
Why do you need regular vision checks?
Unfortunately, many patients only consult an ophthalmologist when they have obvious eye problems such as pain, discharge, or a sudden decrease in vision. However, many eye diseases can progress without symptoms and have irreversible consequences. Examples include glaucoma or eye cancer, which only manifest specific symptoms in later stages.
It’s important to understand that with age, most people naturally experience a decline in their vision. However, regular annual eye check-ups not only help detect impairments in a timely manner but also assess changes over the course of a year.
Vision assessment involves evaluating visual acuity, visual field, and color perception. Visual acuity is assessed using special charts with symbols. If the procedure shows a decrease in vision, the doctor conducts refraction analysis to determine the cause of the impairment.
Based on the examination results, the doctor may suggest necessary treatment or vision correction.
Vision checks and other medical conditions
Vision impairments can be caused by complications of various chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. For example, diabetes can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. On the other hand, consistently elevated blood pressure can cause changes in the retina.
Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist allow for the detection of vision impairments and the timely diagnosis of other chronic conditions. Don’t wait until vision problems become obvious. Take care of your vision, regularly get it checked, and be assured that your life will be bright!
