Regardless of your age or physical condition, routine eye exams are essential to protect against common eye diseases, determine contact lens and glasses prescriptions, and assess your overall health. Serving Washington, MO, and the surrounding areas, the medical professionals at Comprehensive Eye Care provide patients with a full range of eye care services and treatments designed to improve their vision and quality of life. Here, they explain why routine eye exams are a must for everyone.

Why Are Exams Important?

Eye exams are one of the best ways to protect your vision, allowing for the detection of problems in their infancy, when they are most easily treated. In addition, routine exams provide your doctor with the opportunity to help you adapt to or correct subtle changes in your vision.

How Often Do You Need an Eye Exam?

The frequency at which you need eye exams depends on age. Doctors generally suggest children receive one exam per year, whereas patients ages 18 to 60 only need one every other year. From age 61 onward, the recommendation returns to one each year. If you require contact lenses or glasses, the recommendation is yearly, regardless of your age.

The Case for Yearly Eye Exams

Although eye exams are only recommended for adults every other year, you may want to consider annual exams to help uncover and address issues that may otherwise go undetected.  These conditions include:

• Farsightedness & Nearsightedness: Obtaining a prescription for contact lenses or corrective glasses can help address issues and reduce unnecessary eye strain.
• Diabetes: Diabetes, whether it’s type 1 or 2, can negatively impact your vision. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, regular eye exams are essential to ensure proper vision. 
• Glaucoma: Patients with glaucoma have an increased risk of vision loss and blindness. Diagnosing the condition early on can help minimize these risks while ensuring the creation of a proper treatment plan moving forward.

If you’re searching for an experienced and knowledgeable eye doctor, Comprehensive Eye Care is the place for you. From routine eye exams to surgery, you can depend on them for the personalized, professional care and attention you deserve. Visit the practice online or call (636) 390-3999 to schedule an appointment.