Your eyes bring the world to you. Regular eye exams help to ensure you see things clearly. However, they could help you uncover hidden health problems. August is National Eye Exam Month and it is a great reminder of how important it is to set regular eye appointments and keep them.
• You should have an eye exam if you are straining to read, struggling to drive (especially at night), or experiencing headaches on a frequent basis.
• You should have an eye exam if you are experiencing double vision, cannot see colors clearly, or see halos surrounding a light.
• You should have an eye exam if the condition of your pupil changes. For instance, if the pupil is not dark but beginning to turn milky, and/or white spots appear on the surface of the pupil.
• You should have an eye exam if you do close-up work or stare at monitors or screens for long periods of time. Also, if your peripheral vision is changing you should see an eye care professional.
Many people have vision insurance these days that generally allows for annual checkups. However, if you notice any change to your vision then do not hesitate to make an appointment and see an eye care specialist immediately.
If you are a parent, then it is equally important to have your children’s vision checked regularly, starting as early as the age of 2. It is very difficult to test a child’s vision but there are small indications that a young child may be struggling to see. These include:
- Squinting when they are looking at something near or far
- Running into things that seem to be obvious hazards
- Not tracking things visually
- Exhibiting crossed-eyes or a lazy eye
As the child grows and enters school it will be easier to identify vision problems. Children may complain they are unable to see the board clearly. Too, most schools hold annual vision testing and will notify parents if their child is showing signs of poor vision. Do not ignore these warnings.
Island Eyecare cares about your vision. We always look forward to seeing you!