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Why Visit the Optometrist?

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Optometrists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care and the diagnosis and treatment of common eye diseases. People who wear glasses or contacts should see their eye doctor at least once a year, but even people with perfect vision should make an appointment with their optometrist at least every two years. Here are a few reasons you should have your eyes examined:

1. Receive an early diagnosis of common diseases.

Most diseases impact your whole body. That means your eye doctor can see the early signs of these diseases in your eyes. Diabetes can be detected through a pupil dilation exam. When your pupils are dilated, your eye doctor will be able to clearly see the back of your eye. They can examine the blood vessels there to check for signs of damage due to high blood sugar. Glaucoma can also be detected through regular eye exams. Your optometrist will check the pressure of your eye using a special piece of equipment. High eye pressure suggests that you either have glaucoma or are at risk of developing it.

2. Get the vision correction you need.

Your eye doctor will measure your visual acuity using an eye chart. They will cover one of your eyes and have you read the smallest row you can see on the chart. If you're unable to read it clearly, they will use a device that will allow you to try several different lenses. This will allow your optometrist to find the correct level of vision correction for you. Seeing clearly can vastly improve your quality of life. If you need vision correction, your eye doctor will write you a prescription following your eye exam. You can choose to have this prescription filled with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or both.

3. Solve common problems with lead to discomfort.

There are other common eye problems that aren't caused by diseases. You may suffer from eye dryness on a day-to-day basis for a number of reasons, including medication you're taking. Tell your eye doctor about any dryness or eye discomfort you experience. They can find the cause of your discomfort using specific tests. Eye dryness can be caused by insufficient tear production or tears which evaporate too quickly. Depending on the cause, your optometrist can find a solution that will make you more comfortable on a daily basis. The remedy might be something as simple as eye drops. In other cases, your optometrist may recommend plugging your tear ducts to increase tear retention.


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