From nearsightedness to glaucoma, there are many conditions that can impact the health of your eye and the quality of your vision. Fortunately, with help from an optometrist, you can protect your eyes and improve your sight. But while eye care is necessary, people commonly put it on the back burner, especially if they don’t have trouble seeing. To help optimize your ocular health, here are five facts that optometrists want you to know about your eyes.

What to Know About Eye Care

1. Everyone Needs Regular Eye Exams

Even if you have good vision, you should visit an optometrist regularly for routine eye exams. During these check-ups, the provider can detect changes in vision and screen for ocular diseases that require treatment, such as glaucoma and retinopathy. Since the frequency of these visits depends on your age and vision health, discuss your needs with the provider and stick to their recommended schedule.

2. 20/20 Vision Isn’t Perfect

In simple terms, 20/20 vision only means that you can see what an average person can see from a 20-foot distance. In some cases, those with 20/20 vision may still have issues that require attention from an optometrist, including ocular disease and color blindness.

3. Vision Problems Can Indicate Other Health Issues

If you notice changes in your sight, visit an optometrist immediately. While these changes may not be serious, they can indicate the presence of other health problems. For example, temporary loss of vision can occur due to brain damage or stroke. Burning sensations, on the other hand, may be a sign of menopause or arthritis.

4. Sunglasses Can Protect Your Sight

Sunglasses are a stylish way to save yourself from the sun’s glare, but these devices can do much more. Lenses that offer UV protection help guard the retina against sun damage—a factor that can contribute to vision loss. They also help protect the areas around the eyes from skin cancer.

5. Corrective Eyewear Shouldn’t Cause Discomfort 

If your current glasses or contact lenses are uncomfortable, an optometrist may have a better alternative. For example, if you get headaches while using the computer, you may benefit from switching to glasses that filter out blue light that comes from electronic screens. Or, if hard contacts cause frequent dryness, try hydrogel contact lenses for relief.

Based in Rhinelander, WI, Eyewear Express provides comprehensive eye exams that check for both vision problems and ocular diseases. This center also offers a wide range of comfortable and fashionable eyewear solutions—including designer eyeglasses and hydrogel contact lenses. To learn more about these services, visit this vision care provider online. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with this optometrist, call (715) 365-1515.