Got 20/20 Vision? Why You Still Need a Comprehensive Eye Exam

If you have 20/20 vision, it’s easy to take your ability to see clearly for granted. You wake up every morning and don’t have to think about putting on glasses or popping in contacts to navigate your day. This ability deserves protection. 

That’s why our team recommends periodic comprehensive eye exams. With these appointments here at Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates in Aiea, Hawaii, we can do more than make sure you can see clearly now. We can also identify potential eye problems early. That way, you can do what you need to keep yourself seeing clearly through the years. 

Preventing serious eye conditions with regular exams

During your eye exam, your eye doctor does more than check the acuity of your vision right now. Your eyes are organs that can have problems just like any other organ in your body. We use your eye exam as an opportunity to check for potential issues.

Examining your eyes on a regular basis gives us the chance to identify problems in their early phases. This goes a long way toward protecting your ability to see through the years.

Glaucoma, for example, usually develops slowly over time. In fact, most people don’t notice the symptoms right away. That presents a problem, though, since the damage it causes to your eye can’t be reversed. 

Even though it develops slowly in most people, glaucoma makes the list for leading causes of blindness across the US. Your best bet for protecting your vision with glaucoma is to catch it early, so you can start treatment to slow its progression. 

Age-related macular degeneration is another common cause of blindness in the country. Like glaucoma, it develops slowly and often comes with no noticeable symptoms in the beginning. Also, like glaucoma, it’s something we can catch early with a comprehensive eye exam. 

Long story short, during your eye exam, we specifically check you for glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other eye conditions that could be problematic through the years. So even if you’re seeing clearly now, this appointment plays a key role in preserving your vision throughout your lifetime. 

How often to get your eyes checked

That depends on you. Your age, your family's eye health history, and the current state of your eyes all play a role here. We can let you know how frequently you should get a comprehensive eye exam.

Generally, though, most people should get their eyes checked every other year. That said, Dr. Endo may recommend annual eye exams if you have the signs of an eye problem, have a family member with an eye issue, or are over 65.

To schedule your comprehensive eye exam, call our office or book your visit online today.