Why should I have an eye exam?

It's important to take care of your eyes. Poor vision makes it harder to read, drive, and cook. The good news: Many eye problems and diseases can be treated if caught early.

To make sure you keep seeing clearly, get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. An eye care professional will examine your eyes for signs of vision problems or eye diseases. It's the best way to find out if you need glasses or contacts or are in the early stages of a serious but treatable eye disease. Many eye diseases that lead to vision loss do not have symptoms in their earliest stages, when it is best to treat and manage. You should have a dilated eye exam regularly to check for common eye problems.

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It's important to have an eye exam to make sure your eyes are healthy and seeing their best. This is a good time to mention any vision problems or family health history of eye problems. A visual acuity test will help your optometrist determine if you need eyeglasses or contact lenses for vision correction. A dilated-eye exam should also be done to check your eyes for any damage or signs of disease, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or age-related macular degeneration.

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