Keep on Top Of Your Eye Health

Today, more and more people are wearing glasses. According to a CBS news report, the majority of the population, 61 percent, wears glasses, contact lenses, or other visual aids. The older we get, the more likely it is that you will need to wear corrective lenses. 93% of people between 65 and 75 wear corrective lenses.

Most people have yearly dental exams and check-ups with their physicians, but many do not care about their eyes. Yet, we all depend on our sight to get us through the day, and it should not be overlooked.

Whether you currently wear corrective lenses or not, getting an eye exam should be part of your yearly health plan.

Signs to Have Your Eyes Checked:

As we age, getting a yearly eye exam gets more and more critical. Vision can change drastically in just one year for those that are over 50. If you haven’t had your eyes checked in a while or are experiencing some of the signs below, you should make an appointment with your eye doctor.

• Your eyes are red, dry, or itchy.

• You often see spots, flashes of light, or floaters.

• You or someone in your family has diabetes, glaucoma, or other conditions that can affect your sight.

• You can’t remember when you had your last eye exam.

• You have difficulty seeing at night and in the dark.

• You have eye strain, headaches, or blurred sight when working on a computer.

• Your eyes have trouble focusing on a moving target.

• You have started moving reading materials further away from your face to see the text.

• You have noticed changes to your vision.

• You have fallen and hit your head or have had a concussion.

If you recognize any of these symptoms or if it has been more than a year since your last exam, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as you can.

Reading Glasses:

Many people in their 40’s or 50’s begin having issues reading at the average distance. For example, some find it difficult when they are at a dimly lit restaurant to read the menu without moving it further and further away from their face. This is one of the first signs that you may need reading glasses. These are common symptoms when your eyes have a hard time focusing on things that are close by.

Some people find that they can correct their vision by purchasing  reading glasses, which help them read better. But there could be other issues at hand, so rather than buying glasses that may or may not be the proper strength, make an appointment to see your eye doctor.

New Ways to Get Glasses:

One of the most common problems most people have when they purchase glasses is how expensive they are. Many eyeglass stores have an optometrist in-house to provide eye exams, but their real business is selling and upselling glasses.

In addition, many try to push the most expensive designer frames, scratch-resistant lenses, and other products that make the eyeglass purchase soar.

There are some companies now that make purchasing glasses easy. Many of these outlets will let you choose your glass frames and put your prescription in them. For example, one company Glassesshop.com, enables you to choose from reading glasses, sunglasses, and blue light glasses.

Most find the glass frame prices very affordable, and the selection is vast.

If you recently had your eyes examined and have a prescription for corrective lenses, you can take that prescription anywhere to be filled. And many are finding that online options, like Glassesshop, provide great value and stylish options to choose from.