Why You Need To See An Optometrist On A Scheduled Basis
When some people think of an optometrist, they tend to think that it is only crucial to visit this professional when they have a serious problem with their eyes. Thus, as long as they think that their vision is not impaired, it is unlikely that they will set an appointment with a reputable optometrist. However, the reality is that visits to an optometrist should be done at least annually. The reason behind this is that there are a myriad of other eye problems that the optometrist can diagnose other than needing spectacles. Read on to learn about the additional reasons why you need to see an optometrist on a scheduled basis.
Undiagnosed diabetes
While diabetes is typically associated with blood sugar problems, symptoms of this condition can also manifest in your eyes. Diabetics are more likely to develop eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts. Additionally, having an optician check for this disorder on an annual basis increases the chance of your discovering this issue in the early stages, since diabetes may not be easily diagnosable at the onset! Even when you do not think you are at risk of diabetes, it is in your best interest to see an optometrist to minimise the risk of you being unaware of its presence.
Development of hypertension
Also commonly referred to as high blood pressure, this condition can be challenging to detect at the inset until you being to suffer from major symptoms such as bloody urine, chronic headaches, chest pain and so on. However, one fact about HBP that people are not familiar with is that an optometrist can detect it! When you develop hypertension, excessive pressure can cause your blood vessel to constrict and potentially bleed. In addition to this, your optic nerve could enlarge; this is what leads to vision loss in individuals that suffer from hypertension. If you visit an optometrist on a scheduled basis, they can unearth this problem by evaluating the state of your eye's blood vessels and then prescribe treatments to manage the problem.
Macular degeneration
Although this condition tends to be common among the elderly, it is still in your best interest to have your eyes checked by an optometrist. This disorder affects the macula, which is part of your retina. Your macula has the primary function of providing you with central vision. Therefore, if the macula is in jeopardy, you are at risk of losing a substantial degree of your vision. When an optometrist investigates the condition of the different parts of your eye, they will discover if your macula is deteriorating.