By Graham R. Stetson, OD, MS

Even if your vision seems perfectly fine, eye exams play a vital role in maintaining your long-term health. Not only do eye exams help address visual problems; they are vital for detecting a wide variety of conditions that might not present obvious symptoms. Here are four (and a half) reasons to get your eyes checked today:

1) Vision is highly adaptable. Vision is also a complex process in which the brain fills in information and adapts to changes, meaning that your own brain can even mask eye problems from your detection.

2) Sight can change a lot. Even if you do not experience blurriness, your eyes may still undergo subtle changes over time. Small refractive errors or strain from excessive screen time can lead to headaches, eye fatigue, and discomfort. Regular eye exams can not only help keep your prescription up to date but provide advice on lifestyle adjustments to reduce strain and protect your vision. They are also an opportunity to discuss things like UV protection, nutrition, and dry eyes, which can impact long-term eye health.

3) Clear vision does not equal healthy eyes. Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy develop silently. These diseases do not cause pain or noticeable vision changes in their early stages, making them difficult to detect without a comprehensive exam. By the time symptoms become noticeable, significant and irreversible damage may have already occurred. Regular eye exams allow the early detection of these diseases, preventing vision loss and improving the chances of successful treatment.

4) Eyes are the window to…the body. Your eyes can reveal more than just the state of your vision; they provide a glimpse into your overall health. Through a comprehensive eye exam, signs of systemic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and much more can be detected. These health issues can manifest in the eyes before they show up elsewhere in the body. Just as catching a leaky sink early can prevent serious damage to your home, catching these conditions early can also help prevent more serious complications down the road.

4½) Most eye exams are easy. From reading an eye chart and answering questions to having your eyes examined with a microscope, you mostly just sit there.  Even most ocular treatments, like eyedrops, glasses, and contacts, are simple and painless.   

In short, regular eye exams should be an essential part of everyone’s healthcare regimen, whether you have blurry vision or not. Monitoring your vision and catching potential health issues early can safeguard your vision and health while improving your quality of life.

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