It’s important that you visit your optometrist at least once a year for an annual eye exam. But even if you do, sometimes issues arise between appointments that require an optometrist’s insight. When should you get your eyes checked?
When Should You Get Your Eyes Checked?
According to the American Optometry Association, people above the age of 60 should be visiting their optometrist at least once a year, as we mentioned above. In other words, if you haven’t added a yearly eye appointment to your agenda, it’s time to do so. However, even if you’re seeing your optometrist on a regular basis, you may still find yourself navigating vision issues as you ease into your golden years. When should you get your eyes checked if you have concerns?
Eye Care Should Always Be a Senior’s Priority
No matter what age you are, you should be paying attention to your eye health. However, before the age of 60, you only need to visit the eye doctor every couple of years or so. Why is it so important to see the eye doctor every year once you’re a senior?
For one thing, age-related vision changes are extremely common. In fact, one in three seniors above the age of sixty-five experience some kind of age-related vision issue. If you catch a vision issue early, you have a better chance of developing strategies to mitigate it successfully. A diagnosis also gives you access to medical options, such as surgery, which can improve or even restore your eyesight. Preserving your eyesight is the key to independence in your golden years, so it’s a good idea to do everything you can in order to make that happen. If you want to keep enjoying your retirement to the fullest, you should plan to see your optometrist as soon as you suspect you have an age-related eye condition.
What Warning Signs Should I Be Aware Of?
In general, it’s better to see your optometrist a little too often than to skip visits. However, it is still helpful to know what specific signs of age-related vision issues seniors should be looking out for. If you experience any of these symptoms, a visit to the optometrist is in order:
- Notable changes in your eyesight or prescription that take place between eye appointments
- New visual phenomena, such as halos around lights or “floaters“
- Light sensitivity or new difficulty seeing in darkness
- Changes in how you see color, such as colors losing their vibrancy or being difficult to discern
- Diminished vision in one or both eyes
- “Blind spots” in your vision or other vision disruptions
While some of these may not seem like significant health issues, it’s important to remember that changes in your visual health can reflect systemic problems with your overall health. For example, one of the warning signs of diabetes is unexpected changes in vision. There are also eye issues that can present with little to no warning before they start affecting your vision, such as glaucoma. When it comes to your eye health, you’re better off safe than sorry. So make that optometrist appointment today!
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If you’re hoping to retire in Jacksonville, Florida, the Beach House could be the ideal place. Our friendly and compassionate staff members offer individualized care 24/7, ensuring the safety, security, and happiness of all residents. The Beach House provides assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Most importantly, we tailor these services to suit the unique needs of each resident. To learn more about our amenities or schedule a tour, please contact us online or give us a call at 904-615-8076. We look forward to hearing from you!