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Why an Annual Eye Exam Should Be Part of Your New Year's Health Goals

Patient meeting with Doctor

As we welcome a new year, many people set health-related goals, whether it’s exercising more, eating healthier, or managing stress. One critical aspect that often gets overlooked is eye health. Just as you schedule regular visits to the dentist or doctor, adding an annual eye exam to your health regimen can provide lasting benefits to your overall well-being. 

What is Routine Eye Care/Examinations

Routine eye care involves more than just a simple check-up to assess your vision. It includes a comprehensive eye exam to detect any potential issues with your vision, as well as assessing your overall eye health. Many common eye conditions develop gradually, so it can be difficult to detect any problems on your own. 

Regular eye exams allow an eye doctor in Tampa to assess your eyes carefully, identify issues early, and prevent potential vision loss or complications down the road caused by common, but undetectable eye conditions that might not have noticeable symptoms at first.

Detecting Glaucoma, Cataracts, Cornea Conditions, and Assessing Overall Eye Health

Some of the most common eye conditions that can be detected during a routine eye exam include glaucoma, cataracts, and various corneal conditions. 

  • Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and typically has no noticeable symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. 
  • Cataracts are another condition that can be detected during a routine exam. As cataracts progress, they can cause blurred vision, light sensitivity, and difficulty seeing at night. 
  • Corneal conditions, such as keratoconus or corneal dystrophies, also warrant close monitoring. The cornea is the eye’s outermost layer, and its health is vital for clear vision. 

Beyond these specific conditions, an annual eye exam helps ensure that your eyes are healthy in general. For example, systemic diseases like diabetes and hypertension can affect your eye health, so catching these conditions early can benefit both your eyes and your overall health.

Discussing Next Steps: Optical Solutions (Contacts, Glasses, Laser)

After a thorough examination, your eye doctor in Tampa will discuss the next steps based on your results. If your vision has changed, you may need an updated prescription for glasses or contact lenses. If you’re already using corrective lenses, a regular eye exam will ensure that your prescription is still accurate, preventing eye strain and headaches.

In some cases, a visit to your optical Tampa specialist might reveal that you are a good candidate for corrective laser surgery, such as LASIK, to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. Specialty lenses, progressive lenses, or even colored contacts can be used to address specific vision needs, whether it’s for astigmatism, presbyopia, or simply achieving better focus at varying distances. 

Make an Appointment With Florida Eye Center Today!

Adding an annual eye exam to your health goals for the New Year is an easy and proactive step you can take toward preserving your eye health. From detecting serious conditions like glaucoma and cataracts to ensuring your vision is sharp with updated prescriptions, a visit to an optical Tampa specialist can provide a wealth of benefits. 

Request an appointment with an eye doctor in Tampa today to stay on top of your eye health. 

Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Florida Eye Center website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services provided by the medical professionals at Florida Eye Center or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Florida Eye Center. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Florida Eye Center is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third-party linked websites referenced on this website.

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