Whether or not you need contact lenses or glasses, it’s still incredibly important to see an eye doctor regularly. Surprisingly enough, many people believe annual eye checkups are unnecessary. The staff of Digby Eye Associates shares several reasons why eye examinations should be a vital part of your overall preventative health plan.

Why Should I Schedule Regular Eye Appointments?

Glasses or Contacts

If you require corrective lenses for your vision, visiting an eye doctor each year is a requirement, not an option. Over 31 million Americans wear contact lenses, and many others wear glasses. The exact number of those who wear glasses is problematic to track, considering many patients may only need over-the-counter reading lenses.

Only a licensed eye doctor can determine an accurate prescription for your eyes. If the lenses are too weak or too strong, patients might experience headaches, eyestrain, and blurry vision. That’s why it’s important to schedule annual appointments with Digby Eye Associates.

Specific Eye Health Care

Not all patients need corrective lenses. As with many other medical professions, optometry and ophthalmology are specialty fields. As a corneal fellowship trained ophthalmologist, Don Digby, M.D., has experience treating patients with various ocular conditions, such as conjunctivitis, cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, and more. 

Eye doctors use special tools and equipment to help them identify these conditions. Part of a routine eye examination includes checking for cataracts, glaucoma, color blindness, and retinal and optic nerve health. Additionally, as patients age, regular eye exams are especially important. These exams can diagnose vision-impairing diseases early, so patients can slow the progression of their condition.

Diagnosis of Other Health Conditions

You may not know this, but regular eye examinations can also assist in diagnosing other ailments. Many diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, can display symptoms in a patient’s eyes. When a patient has no other outward indicators of a disease, a routine eye examination makes a difference in treatment.

Regular eye examinations aren’t only beneficial to patients who require glasses or contacts. Optometrists and ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat other ocular conditions and diseases as well. Make routine eye examinations a part of your health plan by scheduling your appointment with Digby Eye Associates. 

Whether you’re looking for a corrective lens prescription or you have more specific ocular health needs, Digby Eye Associates provides experienced eye healthcare to the residents of Greensboro and High Point, North Carolina. For appointments, visit them online or call at (336) 230-1010.