Eye Exams: Why You Need Them Even If You Don't Wear Glasses

Your vision is fine. Reading, driving, or seeing over distances? No issues there! But even if you do not need glasses, you should still get regular eye exams.

Like an annual physical for your health, your eyes should get a checkup too. Your eyes and vision are connected to so many of your body’s systems:

• Immune system: Allergies can often affect your eyes, causing itching or redness.
• Integumentary system: This system, comprised of your skin, hair, and nails, protects your body from the environment, and your eyelids and lashes are part of it.
• Nervous system: This network controls your impulses and includes your pupils and optic nerve, which is the nerve that carries visual impulses from the back of your eye (the retina) to your brain.
• Muscular system: Your eye muscles control how your eyes move together and focus both near and far.
• Vascular system: Also called the circulatory system, the vascular system controls the necessary blood flow to your retina. The retina is the only area of the body where we can directly look at the health of your blood vessels.

Any medical condition can also affect the eyes. Additionally, many medications you may be taking could have side effects that impact them as well.

What happens during an eye exam

A complete eye examination is about more than just checking for glasses. It may include:

• an assessment of your ocular health
• a discussion of any comfort issues you may be having, such as itchy or dry eyes
• a dilated pupil exam, so the doctor can examine the health of the back of your eye, including your optic nerve and retina
• a test for glaucoma, a disease that can damage your optic nerve by a buildup of pressure
• a check for other conditions, such as cataracts or macular degeneration

By having your eyes regularly examined, these things can be identified and treated before any permanent damage occurs. It is also important to note that for those with diabetes, more frequent eye exams may be recommended.

Screen time, digital eye strain and your eyes

Today’s technology lends itself to countless hours of eyes on screens, whether it be at a work computer, on your mobile phone, or watching television at night. As a result, more people are reporting digital eye strain.

Your eye doctor can offer suggestions to keep your eyes feeling their best now and in the future.

Make an annual appointment with your eye care professional and see the benefits. Visit our website to learn more about our services.