12 May 2020
 Categories: , Blog

Regular eye exams can help you catch potential vision problems early. They can ensure that any vision changes are tracked and properly managed. Your eye doctor will do this by giving you a series of tests which will test your peripheral vision, eyesight, pupil response, and more. Eye exams are more participatory than many medical exams, since you will have to communicate with your doctor throughout. Here are three questions you can ask your eye doctor during to make your eye exam even more productive:

1. Are there glasses or contacts that better serve your needs?

"If it's not broken, don't fix it" is a common saying, and you may think it applies to your current glasses or contact lens situation. However, you may be more comfortable in something other than the vision aids you're currently wearing. People who wear their contacts every day may prefer a pair that they don't have to take off in the evenings. Your optometrist can write you a prescription for a brand of contact lenses which can be worn continuously for up to a week. These contacts are more permeable, which allows oxygen to get to your eyes for improved eye health. Allow your eye doctor to help you find the glasses or contacts that are best for you.

2. Should you be wearing something to protect your eyes from light?

Over time, ultraviolet rays and even the blue light from electronic devices can harm your eyes. You can protect your eyes by wearing protective lenses. Sunglasses with an ultraviolet coating filter out UV light and prevent the need to squint in daylight. If you wear glasses, your optometrist can offer prescription sunglasses to keep your eyes safe outside. If you spend a lot of time on the computer, then your eye doctor may recommend blue light filtering glasses to reduce glare and eye strain. Speak to your optometrist about the protective lenses available.

3. Is there treatment available for your dry eyes?

If you have chronic dry eyes, then you may have gotten used to the condition. You might think it's simply a state of affairs you'll have to live with. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Dry eye is a condition that can be treated by your optometrist. If you've tried every over the counter remedy to no avail, then your eye doctor can prescribe you medication to increase your tear production. They can also offer prescriptions to treat the discomfort that accompanies chronic dry eye.

To learn more about the services an eye doctor can provide, contact professionals in your area.