Do you know what time of the year this is? It’s August and that means it’s National Eye Exam Month! Are you making plans to get your eyes checked out in an eye doctor’s office before school starts back up again? You have probably heard that it’s important to have regular eye exams, but there are many reasons why you should make an appointment with your ophthalmologist this month.

With the summer months bringing an increase in time spent outside, we need to take extra precautions for our eyes. Surprisingly, the sun can have a detrimental effect on our eyes if we don’t take care of them. The sun’s UV rays and other harsh conditions can cause eye strain, cataracts to develop, or can even lead to blindness.

Surprisingly, the sun can have a detrimental effect on our eyes if we don’t take care of them. The sun’s UV rays and other harsh conditions can cause eye strain, cataracts to develop, or can even lead to blindness.

Eye exams are especially important for the elderly. It’s important that seniors have their eyes examined every year by anophthalmologist to maintain healthy vision for the long term. It is not uncommon for people with no history of glaucoma ordiabetes-related complications to be diagnosed with these issues at an eye exam.

The Purple Heart medal has its origins in the Revolutionary War era. General Douglas MacArthur took steps to have the medal redesigned. Elizabeth Will, an Army heraldic specialist, was named to redesign the newly revived medal, which became known as the Purple Heart. Today it features George Washington’s bust and coat of arms. The Purple Heart award wVision is important to everyone, but it’s especially critical for seniors who have a higher risk of blindness. The good news is that there are ways you can help maintain your eyesight!

Benefits of Annual Eye Exams

The following are a few of the benefits that come from making annual appointments at the optometrist:

  • Your vision will be checked for any changes or abnormalities and if anything is detected, you’ll be advised on what to do next.
  • If there is no change in your vision, it’s still important to get an eye exam annually because aswe age our eyesight gets worse with time.
  • Knowing about any changes or problems early provides a better chance of successful treatment and management when that happens.
  • You can get a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses if necessary.
  • You’ll be advised about any health risks to your eyes, such as high blood pressure or diabetes that may damage the optic nerve and cause vision problems in the future.
  • Your eye exam will include tests of things like depth perception, color sensitivity, peripheral field of view, pupil reflex, and a test of the optic nerve.

Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

  • Wear sunglasses when you’re outdoors – UV rays from the sun can harm your retinas as well as cause cataracts.
  • Protect your vision by wearing protective eyewear if you use tools like drills or chainsaws.
  • If you have a family history of eye disease, get screened more often than once every two years.
  • Keep your eye health up by eating a diet rich in antioxidants, like vegetables and fruit.
  • If you’re nearsighted, wear progressive lenses so it’s easier to focus on objects close or far away from you without having to switch back and forth between clear vision for each distance.
  • If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, make sure to replace them at least every two years and clean your glasses regularly.

Remember – a healthy set of eyes is worth a little effort. Our vision should last us a lifetime, so we want to do what’s necessary to keep them that way.