There are few things that are as important as your vision. Nobody understands that more than your eye doctor.
Eye doctors field many questions from their patients about how healthy their eyes are. Looking for ways to improve your vision? Keep reading for 3 of the most common questions eye doctors get asked!
1. When Should I See An Eye Doctor?
This answer differs from patient to patient. Most people need an eye exam every two years.
If you have refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) see them every year. Annual eye exams for those with refractive errors are a good idea.
Eye exams can detect diseases that normally go undetected such as glaucoma. Ophthalmologists can identify any issues with your vision.
They can also write you a prescription for glasses or contacts. This prescription should be updated every 1 – 2 years, as your vision tends to change as you get older.
Ophthalmologists can also identify any potentially serious eye conditions like cataracts. If you have a serious eye condition, then your ophthalmologist can recommend the best treatment.
This may include cataract surgery. Scheduling eye exams with your ophthalmologist can help detect these conditions before they are a problem.
2. What’s The Difference Between Being Farsighted and Nearsighted?
Nearsightedness and farsightedness are refractive errors. They have to do with how light filters through the retina.
The retina is the part of your eye that filters light and reflects the image of what you are looking at. For those with nearsightedness, light rays are not able to pass all the way through your retina. This causes your vision to be clear up close, but blurry at a distance.
If you’re farsighted, then light is not accurately reflected by your retina. This causes your vision to be clear at a distance, but blurry up close.
If you currently wear contacts or glasses, you may want to consider getting LASIK. LASIK has a high success rate and letting patients achieve visual freedom.
This eliminates the need for glasses and contacts. A visit to an ophthalmologist will determine whether you are a candidate for LASIK.
3. What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism refers to how light reflects off the cornea. If the cornea is symmetrical like a globe, light is distributed evenly.
If the cornea is an oblong shape like a football, the light is not distributed evenly. This leads to blurred vision and difficulty seeing near and far.
If you have astigmatism, you should consult with your ophthalmologist. You may be a prime candidate for LASIK or another vision correction procedure.
LASIK is able to fix your vision by reshaping your cornea.
Schedule An Appointment
If you haven’t seen your eye doctor for a while, now is the time to schedule your visit. If you currently wear contact lenses or glasses, now is the time to see if LASIK is right for you.
Wondering if it’s time for an eye exam or ready to explore your vision correction options? Schedule an appointment at Stahl Eyecare Experts in Garden City, NY!
If you have other questions about your eyes, an appointment with your eye doctor is the perfect time to ask them!
