{"id":20323,"date":"2021-12-19T10:28:14","date_gmt":"2021-12-19T10:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20323"},"modified":"2021-12-19T10:28:14","modified_gmt":"2021-12-19T10:28:14","slug":"when-to-see-my-eye-doctor-8-qas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-exams\/eye-exams\/when-to-see-my-eye-doctor-8-qas\/","title":{"rendered":"When to See My Eye Doctor? 8 Q&As"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you ever ask yourself: \u2018I see clearly and don’t have any eye pain or discomfort, should I still see my eye doctor?\u2019\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

The answer is yes.<\/b><\/p>\n

Many eye conditions do not have obvious signs until permanent damage has already occurred.\u00a0 Annual eye check ups<\/a> are important, as eye health and clear vision can be maintained by early detection of a serious eye condition.<\/p>\n

Your sense of sight is arguably the most important sense you have. It is your primary way of gathering information about the world around you. Making an appointment to see your eye doctor when you notice a problem is a good start.<\/p>\n

Here are our top 8 Q&As about when you should see your eye doctor:<\/em><\/p>\n

Q1: Do I need to wait for signs of eye problems?<\/b><\/h2>\n

No.<\/b><\/p>\n

Your eye doctor has the expertise to detect and treat any eye disease or condition, often long before you notice any symptoms yourself.<\/b><\/p>\n

Many serious eye conditions, including glaucoma<\/a>, macular degeneration<\/a> and retinal diseases<\/a> do not display noticeable symptoms until significant damage has been done to your visual system.<\/p>\n

Q2: Are frequent or annual eye check ups important?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Yes.<\/b><\/p>\n

Just like going to the dentist every year helps prevent tooth decay and wards off other dental issues, having regular comprehensive eye exams<\/a> helps preserve your eye health and prevent any visual problems.<\/p>\n

Comprehensive eye exams are important at every stage of life.<\/p>\n

Children need to have annual eye exams<\/a> to identify and address any potential eye conditions, such as nearsightedness<\/a>, that can impede their success inside and outside the classroom.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to detect and treat eye conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye)<\/a> and strabismus (eye turns)<\/a>, which require early intervention to prevent lifelong vision problems.<\/b><\/p>\n

For adults, annual eye exams are the key to the early detection and treatment of eye diseases, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, which can cause significant vision loss and even blindness without treatment.<\/p>\n

And of course, it\u2019s important for everyone to ensure their prescription for eyeglasses and contact lenses<\/a> are up-to-date.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: The Importance of Pupil Exams<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n

Even if you have clear sight and comfortable eyes, schedule a regular eye exam with an eye doctor near you.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\t

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