It is important to increase the frequency of your eye exams as you age. Read on to find out why.
To avoid the problems associated with untreated presbyopia
'Presbyopia' is a medical term that is used to describe the far-sightedness that most people develop when they reach middle age. This condition is easily treated by getting a pair of prescription glasses from an optometrist and wearing them when you need to look at things up close (such as when you're reading a book or using your phone).
Presbyopia tends to develop very slowly; oftentimes, the onset of this condition is so gradual that people do not realise that they have it until they have had their eyes examined by their optometrist.
It's important to note that even if you do not notice any significant changes to your eyesight, you could still end up experiencing a lot of problems as a result of this condition if it goes untreated for a long time. You could develop a whole host of symptoms that you may not realise are related to your untreated presbyopia; for example, you may experience frequent headaches after using your computer or reading, or you may find that your eyes are constantly red, dry and sore.
You may also find yourself making more errors when texting on your phone and frequently misreading documents on your computer because you cannot see clearly. This could be problematic if your job requires you to read and send important documents and emails.
Fortunately, all of these issues can be easily avoided, simply by making sure that you have your eyes checked by your optometrist on a regular basis.
To avoid cataract-induced vision loss
Your risk of developing serious eye conditions that could result in vision loss increases as you get older. For example, elderly people are far more likely to develop cataracts (a condition which leads to the lens of the eye clouding up) than their younger counterparts, as the aging process often causes the proteins in the eye lens to deteriorate.
If you develop a cataract and it goes untreated for a long time because you have not increased the frequency with which you have your eyes examined, it could eventually result in vision loss in the affected eye.
Conversely, if you start to visit your optometrist more regularly as you age, they will be able to detect the cataract and refer you for further treatment before it begins to have an impact on your ability to see. In most cases, this condition can be rectified with a simple surgery, during which the affected lens is replaced with an artificial lens.
To learn more about eye exams, contact a company like EyeSelect.