Does Your Baby Need Glasses?

Is It Time To Visit An Eye Doctor?

Whether you're someone who has never been to the eye doctor or who already owns glasses or contacts, it's important to look out for your ocular health. You may be wondering, however, when it might be time to schedule a visit. Here are four situations where it's wise to talk with a professional about your eyes.

Age-Related, Regardless of History

Even if you seem to have perfect vision, an occasional visit is in order, and you can follow this schedule. An adult who has hit their 20s should line up one trip to an eye doctor as soon as possible. Once you hit your 30s, try to schedule a visit once every 5 years. If you don't have problems by your 40s, you can hold off for a while. After age 65, though, an annual visit ought to be arranged.

Kids need to have their eyes checked periodically, too. A doctor will usually conduct a check at birth and then you should schedule additional screenings at 6 months and three years. One more visit needs to be arranged before entering school.

Vision Problems

If you're experiencing vision issues, it's prudent to set up an appointment as soon as possible. This applies even if you've recently been to the eye doctor. Sudden changes are often signs of health issues or damage to the lens. Even if the problem proves not to be ocular, you may find out that you're dealing with something really troubling like a brain injury, a stroke, high blood pressure, migraines, or an inner ear disorder.

Learning or Reading Difficulties

Another reason to set up an appointment with an eye doctor is when a person encounters trouble with either learning or reading. Some undiagnosed eye problems don't really get detected until a person is in a learning- or reading-intensive situation. If there are concerns about a learning disorder with a child, for example, it's best to rule out potential vision issues before getting aggressive about other treatment options.

Health-Related Risk Factors

While people tend to think of eye doctors as mostly dealing with vision correction, many other problems are identifiable by inspecting the eyes. Folks at risk for diabetes, for example, may want to request a vision screening. Psoriasis sometimes also appears initially as dry eyes. Early indicators of Parkinson's disease frequently surface as vision trouble, too. As you age, you should be checked for glaucoma and cataracts, also.

For more information, contact a local eye doctor.


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