It's recommended that people get their eyes checked out by a vision tester each year. For those that have already gone to one, there are six things to bear in mind for the next visit. For those looking forward to visiting one in the near future, it might be an idea to think about these things before the appointment. The eye doctor should spend at least a minute or two chatting about your general health, health history as well as your eyes.
One of the first things they should know is about your general medical condition. Problems like diabetes, allergies, high blood pressure and other illnesses, however trivial you may think, need to be explained. Pregnancy is also a very important thing to tell the eye doctor, as your eyes can be affected by even slight changes to your body. Plus, if there are any abnormalities, these might be caused by general health issues.
One thing that might be overlooked, especially with the focus on present heath, is the patient's past health, which also includes family illnesses. Incidentally, eye problems within the family also should come out, as things like glaucoma could very well run in a family. It's also imperative that if you have had eye surgery or any eye trauma in the past that they know about it.
It might seem rather obvious, but many people do not tell their doctor about changes in their vision. If you notice things changing, becoming blurred, or an increase in spots or floaters, it could mean your eyes need attention. Things that may seem trivial, such as flashes of light or blurriness, should also be reported. They will investigate the problem and try to diagnose the cause, and hopefully help eradicate the problem. If you wear glasses or contact lenses it's best to bring them along too, as well as prescription sunglasses.
If you're taking mediation then the eye doctor needs to be informed of this, as all prescription and non-prescription drugs have the potential to affect the eyes and vision. Additionally, any new medication that's prescribed could very well affect what you are already taking, perhaps producing complications.
Despite the obvious temptation to refrain from telling the specialist everything about your life, it's very important to let them know about your present lifestyle. Social habits often dictate our level of health and these habits can also have an affect on the vision. Things like smoking and alcohol consumption could cause problems with our vision if driven to excess. Another factor is your occupation. Those how are in front of a computer for much of the day, and those who read a lot, should explain this to the doctor.
Anyone wearing contact lenses should discuss their current eye-wear too. It's vital that the eye specialist know how long they are being worn, when they are cleaned, if they are slept in and if you swim in them.
A vision tester is sometimes only as good as the knowledge they get from a patient. If they have information on your lifestyle, habits and family history they should be able to provide better medical care and hopefully catch any eye problems before they deteriorate.
One of the first things they should know is about your general medical condition. Problems like diabetes, allergies, high blood pressure and other illnesses, however trivial you may think, need to be explained. Pregnancy is also a very important thing to tell the eye doctor, as your eyes can be affected by even slight changes to your body. Plus, if there are any abnormalities, these might be caused by general health issues.
One thing that might be overlooked, especially with the focus on present heath, is the patient's past health, which also includes family illnesses. Incidentally, eye problems within the family also should come out, as things like glaucoma could very well run in a family. It's also imperative that if you have had eye surgery or any eye trauma in the past that they know about it.
It might seem rather obvious, but many people do not tell their doctor about changes in their vision. If you notice things changing, becoming blurred, or an increase in spots or floaters, it could mean your eyes need attention. Things that may seem trivial, such as flashes of light or blurriness, should also be reported. They will investigate the problem and try to diagnose the cause, and hopefully help eradicate the problem. If you wear glasses or contact lenses it's best to bring them along too, as well as prescription sunglasses.
If you're taking mediation then the eye doctor needs to be informed of this, as all prescription and non-prescription drugs have the potential to affect the eyes and vision. Additionally, any new medication that's prescribed could very well affect what you are already taking, perhaps producing complications.
Despite the obvious temptation to refrain from telling the specialist everything about your life, it's very important to let them know about your present lifestyle. Social habits often dictate our level of health and these habits can also have an affect on the vision. Things like smoking and alcohol consumption could cause problems with our vision if driven to excess. Another factor is your occupation. Those how are in front of a computer for much of the day, and those who read a lot, should explain this to the doctor.
Anyone wearing contact lenses should discuss their current eye-wear too. It's vital that the eye specialist know how long they are being worn, when they are cleaned, if they are slept in and if you swim in them.
A vision tester is sometimes only as good as the knowledge they get from a patient. If they have information on your lifestyle, habits and family history they should be able to provide better medical care and hopefully catch any eye problems before they deteriorate.
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What You Should Tell Your Vision Tester