People tend only to see an optometrist when they realise that there's something wrong with their eyes. They don't seem to realise that a yearly eye check-up is more than just ensuring your vision is acceptable. Here are just a few reasons why regularly checking your eyes is paramount to your overall health and wellness.
1. Near-sightedness is getting increasingly common
Myopia is growing to be something of an epidemic. Children are developing near-sightedness at alarming rates – and the age of diagnosis seems to be getting younger and younger.
The younger you are when you develop myopia, the higher your chances of it worsening as you grow older. This makes them extremely susceptible to more serious eye conditions like Glaucoma (3.3x for myopia >-5.00Ds), retinal detachment (21.5x for myopia >-5.00Ds), cataracts (5.5x for myopia >-5.00Ds) and myopia maculopathy (40.6x for myopia >-5.00Ds) as they reach a certain age.
Getting regular eye checks is an effective way of gauging whether your child is at risk of being near-sighted. If myopia is found early on, strategies and treatments can be employed to manage this condition and decrease the chances of severe eye conditions later in life.
2. It allows your children to perform better in school
A good chunk of what a child is expected to learn in and out of school requires adequate eyesight. It's a percentage which is expected to rise with how much time they spend watching a screen.
Good eyesight doesn't just apply to academic pursuits either; students who want to play sports or succeed in other artistic endeavours are much more likely to do so when they aren't at risk of any eye conditions. A yearly eye check is the best way to solidify their clear vision so they can learn what they need to without a hitch.
3. Your eye alignment could also be checked and treated
Other than regular checks for Myopia, Astigmatism, Hyperopia & Presbyopia. Your optometrist might also conduct a series of checks to ensure your eye muscles are working fine and that they are looking straight. This is especially important for people who spends significant time on computers & handphones.
If left untreated, it could lead to more serious complications such as Digital eye strain, Headaches/migraines, seeing blur/overlapping images at night and even Double Vision.
4. You will be able to detect other changes to your eyes
Many health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and sometimes stroke can cause changes to the retina. Eyes are often windows to what's happening inside our bodies.
During a thorough check-up, the blood vessels in your retina will be observed. It's a good indicator of what the rest of the blood vessels in your body look like. The conditions mentioned above often manifest in the visible changes in these blood vessels.
Those who are especially at risk of serious health issues should be getting their eyes checked regularly. Diabetes is especially one of the most common causes of blindness in adults. In its initial stages, this disease won't have symptoms. If you want to be able to prevent and treat this before it's too late, regular eye check-ups are vital.
Conclusion
Don't procrastinate when it comes to your health. Even if you feel like you're completely healthy and you have perfect eyesight, an annual eye check-up can go a long way in keeping you safe and healthy. Visit us at The Eyes Inc., where we'll provide you with a comprehensive, general eye check up in Singapore. Contact us now to learn more!