Your Eye Exam
Regular eye exams are the best way to retain your best vision for a lifetime. If you’ve made an appointment to see your eye doctor, there are things you should do, before the visit.
Here’s the basic information you should take with you to your eye exam.
- The eyeglasses and contact lenses you use regularly, including reading glasses
- A list of medications you are currently taking and the dosages
- A list of any nutritional supplements you take, along with the dosages
- A list of question to ask the doctor, especially if you are interested in getting contacts or laser vision surgery
You should also think about whether your eyesight has changed in any way, if you feel any discomfort or pain connected with your eyes and if you may need a second pair of glasses.
Here are some questions to ask yourself and your eye doctor that could lead to better vision, as well as better overall health.
How Do I Use My Eyes?
Digital devices cause eye strain. If you work in front of a computer all day, figure out how far your screen is from your face and how often you take a break. Think about how often you check your cell phone, read in bed from an iPad or watch late night TV in bed with the lights out.
Let your eye doctor know if you work outside all day. Ultraviolet rays are naturally damaging to the eyes. Your eyes can get sunburned and that results in redness, a gritty feeling in the eye or even temporary blindness. Cataracts can be caused by a lot of exposure to sunlight, as well, but can also develop as we age.
Am I Experiencing Burning, Itchiness or Tearing?
Never assume that you just tend to have dry eyes. This could be a sign of an ocular surface disease or dry eye, which can lead to intense pain and tearing. Your eye could also be infected.
The number of times people blink dramatically decreases when they stare at a computer screen all day. This puts a strain on the tear ducts and can lead to dry eye. Contact wearers must make sure that their contacts stay hydrated so their eyes stay healthy and comfortable.
If you’re in the habit of wearing the same pair of contact lenses for longer than suggested or regularly falling asleep while wearing them, be honest with your eye doctor, as these kinds of habits can cause eye infections.
Have I Noticed That My Vision Has Changed?
Your eyes change along with the rest of your body and your visual needs will change, too. Gradual vision loss may be something that you don’t even recognize until you look through glasses. A check up with your optometrist every year or two, as recommended by her, is the best way to maximize your vision.
