Most eye doctors are amazed at how many patients have not had an eye exam in many years. It seems that many people assume that the mini eye exams that they receive at their primary doctor’s office are enough. While having those exams can pinpoint minor vision issues, there are some things that your basic sight test will not reveal. For this reason and more, it is extremely important that patients of all ages visit the optometrist in Inver Grove Heights MN on an annual basis to ensure good health.
Seeing Doesn’t Mean Good Vision
Another common assumption that many patients make is that if they can see clearly, nothing could possibly be wrong with their eyesight. While it would be nice if this were true, just as with some illnesses or health problems, the symptoms are not always easy to detect. Many eye diseases are slow and do not show any symptoms in the earlier stages. However, with an eye exam from an optometrist, you can stop diseases in their tracks and safeguard your vision.
Glaucoma
A good example of an eye disease that is not easily detectible is glaucoma. In the earlier stages, it presents a problem for the person’s peripheral vision, which they may not be aware of. However, as time goes on, it will become more advanced and begin to deteriorate the patient’s vision even further. The disease is treatable when caught early on and can improve vision before irreversible damage is done to the eyes.
Retinal Holes or Tears
Retinal holes or tears/detachments are also very common but go unnoticed by the patient during the earlier stages. Since the retina has no sensory neural receptors, damage done to this area does not result in any pain. However, unnoticed or untreated tears and holes can progress into full blown detachment which is a severe emergency. Prolonged efforts to treat these issues could lead to permanent blindness.
As you can see, there are a lot of things that could be going on with your eyes that you’re unaware of. To be on the safe side, it is always best to schedule an annual visit with an optometrist in your area. They can detect and treat problems early, before it begins to take away your vision.
