Your eyes, like every other part of your body, need long-term care and the regular attention of a skilled vision care professional. Even if your vision is currently stable, there are steps you should still take to preserve your eyesight for as long as possible.

The specialists at Whitefish Eye Center have been serving the Whitefish, MT community for over 40 years. Based on their experience, these are the questions your should ask your vision care provider to gather all the information you need to keep your eyes healthy.

Crucial Questions For Your Eye Doctor

Do You See Risk Factors For Eye Diseases?

Managing certain eye diseases is possible if they are discovered early enough, and some risk factors can be controlled. Your doctor will go through your family history, as well as your lifestyle, to determine whether you have an increased risk glaucoma, macular degeneration, or any other eye diseases.

What Diseases Are You Testing For?

Regular disease screening is an important part of your long-term vision care. Your doctor will likely perform a variety of tests to cover a broad spectrum of potential issues, such as a dilated eye exam to look for glaucoma and macular degeneration.

What Steps Should I Take Now?

If your doctor does detect signs of vision problems, he or she will likely recommend a course of action to monitor your health. Depending on what your doctor suspects might be the problem, they may ask you to keep an eye out for warning signs of your condition worsening, which they will go over in detail with you. They may also suggest referrals for another specialist.

How Often Do I Need to Come Back?

For most people, annual tests are sufficient to monitor your eye health. However, some patients may require more intensive monitoring should their doctor determine they need further attention from their vision center.  During your next annual test, consult with your vision care provider and make sure you follow through on their recommendations.

What Lifestyle Changes Should I Make?

While your family history and genetics do impact your risk of developing eye disease, other factors like nutrition and smoking can play a much bigger role in your eye health. Talk with your eye doctor about what sorts of preemptive lifestyle changes you can make now to ensure healthy eyes in the future.

Whitefish Eye Center offers a comprehensive range of vision care services, from eye doctor evaluations to contact fitting. They offer fast, friendly service and an extensive collection of beautiful frames from some of the industry's leading designers. Call their offices at (406) 862-2020 to make an appointment, or visit their website to learn more.