August 29, 2011 
Whether you are young or old, regular eye exam is very important for the health of your eyes…
It may surprise you, but even if you don’t have difficulty with seeing you should go for regular check-ups. For most people it is advisable to visit the eye specialist at least once a year.
During the eye test, eye specialist accurately determines whether you have any refractive errors of the eye. If you have, the doctor will recommend prescription glasses or contact lenses which best suit your needs. In a thorough examination, the specialist will also determine whether you suffer from any eye diseases, and will determine the health of your eyes. Eye examination can also help detect other serious diseases in their early stages. If you are a driver, do not forget that regular eye examinations are equally important for your safety as well as a check-up of your car. Low visual acuity can be extremely dangerous especially if you drive at night.
Thousands of people lose their eyesight because of a cataract or glaucoma – an eye disease that often occurs without symptoms and without pain. 40% of people can lose sight, even before they detect the presence of the disease, which can be diagnosed by simple examination.
What can be found out by an eye examination?
- Refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia.
- Eye diseases: Many diseases, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, in their early stage occur without any symptoms. A specialist will check your eyes to find out if you suffer from these diseases. In most cases, early detection and treatment reduces the risk of visual impairment or permanent loss of vision.
- Other diseases: a specialist can detect early symptoms by inspecting blood vessels, retina and other eye structures. He is also capable of diagnosing a high blood pressure or high cholesterol level in blood. For example, diabetes can cause blood clots in the eyeball or swelling, which can lead to vision loss.
Technology is constantly evolving, so if you already wear glasses or contact lenses, visit your eye specialist regularly to make sure that you use the latest products and that you have enough information about the options available for vision correction, and the new products on the market.
Taken from: www.optometrija.net