It is believed that at least 80% of our discernment emanates from our sight. Proper sight and vision give us an accurate perception of the impression created by the people we meet and the environment we interact with. When our eyes are healthy, our brain is also in good shape and this enhances our quality of life.
Quality vision is therefore a fundamental element to having a joyful and healthy life. It is therefore advisable to begin taking good care of our eyes from an early age. When this is done, we have excellent odds of sustaining a fine vision and general well-being of our bodies for the whole of our lives.
Proper vision does not only involve good sight but also good living. There is more to vision than just standard eyesight. Problems relating to vision can begin being experienced from any age, even below the age of one year. It is for this reason that we should be keen to have frequent eye tests with optometrists. Bill Opticians in Exeter is a family optometrist based in Devon who provides all the latest technology, experienced staff and great customer service.
How Regularly Should You Go for An Eye Test?
The frequency required of getting an eye test is partly determined by the age of an individual. We will therefore handle this for children and adults separately.
Children
Unless a parent/guardian or a paediatrician realises that a child is experiencing trouble with vision, the vision of a baby should be examined at the age of six months. This is a recommendation by eye care experts such as ophthalmologists. Also, it is wise for a child to have another eye test just before joining school. When children start attending school, a substantial percentage of whatever they learn is to a large extent assimilated through vision.
Indicators of Vision Problems in Children
- Regular fluttering and rubbing of the eyes.
- Frequently whining about headaches.
- Holding reading materials very close or very far from their eyes.
- Closing one eye, hoping for sharper focus.
- Leaning the head towards one side.
- Easily forgetting what they read.
- An eye that drifts to either side.
- Complaining about experiencing double vision.
On top of this, there are factors that imply that a child should have more frequent eye tests in the course of their childhood. These factors include:
- Slow or even retarded development of a child.
- Pre-term birth of a baby.
- History of eye illnesses in the family of a child.
- Infection of a child’s mother while she was pregnant. Examples of such infections are sexually transmitted diseases.
- Strabismus in a child is commonly referred to as crossed-eyes.
Adults
For adults aged between 20 and 39, they are less prone to vision problems. It is alright for them to have a comprehensive eye test once every three years. You would require more frequent tests only if your eye was injured or had surgery, are under medication that has an impact on vision, you already use glasses or contact lenses, have an illness such as diabetes or your family has a history of having eye diseases.
Between the age of 40 and 64, adults are vulnerable to eye diseases or other illnesses that may impair their vision. It is advisable for adults within this age bracket to get their eyes examined at least once every two years. From the age of 65 henceforth, these adults should get an eye exam on a yearly basis and always keep up to date with eye health tips for older people. At this point, they may already begin experiencing diminishing vision as well as conditions such as blood pressure problems that are affecting their sight.
Signs of Eye Problems
Even though you have been getting your eyes examined every two or three years, in between these regular eye tests you may experience some symptoms that are affecting your eyes. When you experience any of the following, you should get an eye test as soon as possible:
- Redness of the eyes.
- Headaches or migraines.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Night vision problem.
- Dryness of the eyes.
- Shedding too many tears and constant wateriness of the eyes.
- Blurry vision.
- Swollen eyes.
- Beaming light in your vision’s field.
- Lines, speckles, or dots appearing in your vision’s field.
Your eyes can experience the above symptoms or more serious issues due to some medical conditions. Therefore, getting an eye test can help the eye care expert to discover some illnesses that you have but were unaware of.
Medical Problems That Have an Impact on The Eyes
Some problems are connected to medical illnesses that do not necessarily appear to have anything to do with the eyes. These medical conditions include:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Liver disease
- Measles
- Sickle cell disease
- Malnutrition
- Lyme disease
Visiting an optometrist frequently will not only enhance your site but also help the professional determine whether you have any condition that may affect your vision. Consequently, regular eye examinations are important for both children and adults, playing a vital role in our sight and general well-being.
