Protecting your vision is critical. In many situations, lost vision cannot be repaired. Yet, with preventative care and routine visits to the eye doctor, not only can you potentially see better, but you may be able to avoid vision loss or distortion. Everyone needs an eye exam from Dr. William H. Stephen or Dr. Heather M. Worrell at least one time per year. For some, it may be more often. Maintaining a solid, long-term relationship with your eye doctor is important, and it doesn’t have to be challenging.
When Should You Visit Your Eye Doctor?
Annual visits to Dr. William H. Stephen or Dr. Heather M. Worrell are often considered the baseline. Those who have diagnosed eye conditions such as macular degeneration, chronic dry eyes and glaucoma may need to visit more frequently. However, routine eye appointments help to establish your long-term vision care and protection. Dr. William H. Stephen or Dr. Heather M. Worrell will then be able to monitor for changes in your eye structure and health as well as changes in your vision.
Who Needs an Eye Exam?
It is recommended that a pediatrician manage a very young child’s vision screenings during the first year or so of their life. If there are concerns, seek out a pediatric eye doctor at that point. However, most children should visit a formal eye doctor prior to starting school. Since many children can develop learning disabilities due to limitations in eyesight, visiting early is important.
From there, all teens, adults, and seniors should have an eye exam at least one time per year. It is also a good idea to come in if you notice any changes in your vision or eye health.
What Symptoms Should Prompt a Visit to the Eye Doctor?
Sometimes, more frequent visits to Dr. William H. Stephen or Dr. Heather M. Worrell are necessary. If you develop symptoms such as the following, make an appointment soon:
- Redness, irritation, or pain in the eyes
- Seeing spots or black floaters in your vision
- Trouble seeing objects that you could see before
- Dizziness or changes in your vision quality
- Discharge from the eyes
- Dry eyes
What to Expect During an Eye Exam?
When you come in for an eye exam at St. Lucy’s Vision Center, Dr. William H. Stephen or Dr. Heather M. Worrell will gather a medical history from you and talk to you about the quality of your vision. They will then perform several screenings and tests on your eyes. The goal is to determine if the eye structure is healthy and look for any signs of conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or glaucoma. From there, a vision test is conducted. Here, Dr. William H. Stephen or Dr. Heather M. Worrell will ask you questions about the clarity and quality of your vision.
If necessary, Dr. William H. Stephen or Dr. Heather M. Worrell will prescribe treatments for any conditions found. They may also write a prescription for contact lenses or glasses if your vision is deficient. No component of the eye exam is invasive, painful, or even uncomfortable.
Scheduling an eye doctor appointment is essential at least one time a year. If you have not done so, don’t put it off and allow your vision to suffer.