Why Eye Exams Are Important
People generally remember they need to get a physical with their doctor at least once if not twice a year. However, annual eye exams often get missed and patients will let their eyesight go unchecked, until it becomes a serious issue. After the age of 40, it’s important to stay on top of your eyecare, since vision more rapidly deteriorates past that age. At Benefield Eye Care, we strive to bring our patients the best quality of vision with our thorough eye exams.
Eye Exams Are Not Hard to Do
Eye exams are very easy to set up and go through. A patient just needs to visit, sit with the appropriate equipment, and wait while our doctors examine the patient’s eyes one at a time. Occasionally, a patient may need his or her eyes dilated for better viewing by the optometrist. Just remember to have help driving home afterwards. Examination of the eyes with both distance charts and expert observation can spot early issues developing well before they become serious.
Our team will also use regular eye exams to check for conditions that can become irreversible if not spotted early on. These can include cataracts, glaucoma, detached retinas, and macular degeneration. Sometimes, these issues are spotted when a patient notices a problem or pain in the eye, but often the issue can be hidden until spotted directly in an exam. Because a regular eye exam happens on a schedule, these hidden issues can be found early when action can be taken versus finding out too late.
Age Has an Impact on Frequency
Age has a lot to do with how well the eyes perform as well. When people are younger their eyesight tends to be a lot better. As one ages, general performance of the eyes begins to deteriorate over time, increasing the need for more frequent eye exams. Eye associations generally recommend eye exams every 5 to 10 years for people under 30 and every 2 to 4 years for people between 40 and age 54. Once people reach age 55, exams should be happening every 1 to 3 years going forward and about annually for seniors over age 65.
In addition, those with known eye conditions, whether hereditary or developed over time, should see our team more frequently than usual. That’s because eye conditions have a habit of changing over time and corrections are typically needed. Eyeglass wearers often run into this issue, needing a new prescription every two years or so.
Schedule an Exam with Us Today
At Benefield Eye Care in Gulfport, your eye health and general well-being is our top priority. Our team is committed to top quality eyecare and understanding how your eyes contribute to your overall health. We believe being proactive with eye exams can make your overall eye health easier to manage in the long run. Give us a call to find out more! Remember, your eyes can’t be replaced, so protect them with regular eye exams.