The Importance Of Regular Eye Tests

Serious vision loss is a fear for a many people and yet, eye tests are often an after-thought.  Studies show that many health conditions can be detected through eye tests.  The NHS recommends that we get our eyes tested at least once every two years, but why?

Unlike other parts of our bodies, our eyes don’t tend to hurt very much when there is something wrong.  That’s why when you go for an eye examination, it’s not just your vision that gets tested.  In fact, your optician will look for a range of things, from refractive error (your glasses prescription and astigmatism), to amblyopia (‘lazy eye’) and eye alignment problems, to early onset of disease and disorders.  Often, your optician will pick up on abnormalities far sooner than your GP or a specialist because they can detect possible problems by looking through your eyes at your blood vessels and other working parts.  So perhaps eyes are not only the window to your soul, but also to your body.

The Benefits Of Regular Testing

According to the World Health Organisation, a massive 80% of all blindness is preventable and having a simple eye test on a regular basis really does make all the difference.  Ignoring the need for regular tests could mean that you miss the early signs of many diseases and missing those vital signs may mean that you could miss the chance for a full recovery and ultimately, the chance to protect your vision.

By looking into your eyes, your optician may be able to see blood vessel leaks or swelling macular which are early signs of diabetes.  Similarly, they may be able to detect the early stages of glaucoma or cataracts.  Diagnosing these disorders in their initial stages may well prevent permanent vision loss in the future.

By further examining the blood vessels in the eyes, an optician can spot high blood pressure, high cholesterol, macular degeneration, and more, so an eye test really is a thorough check up – not just for your vision but for your whole body.

At London Vision Clinic, we believe it is vital to maintain your eye health so we are committed to provide our patients with the benefit of returning to us for their annual eye examinations after their treatment. If you would like to find out more about our after-care and Laser Eye Surgery, contact us today.