Eyesight is one of the most important senses people have, yet it is something many still take for granted. Even if you do not have any obvious vision issues, you should still schedule an eye exam once a year. It typically takes less than an hour and is important for keeping your vision in good shape.

Here are a few benefits of getting regular eye exams.

Diagnose and Correct Vision Problems

During your eye exam, an optometrist will ask you to read an eye chart to determine if you have a vision problem, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. If your eye doctor determines that you do have a vision issue, he or she can prescribe glasses or contacts.

Change Eyewear

If you already wear glasses or contacts, an eye exam is a great time to bring up any issues you may be experiencing. For instance, if you wear glasses and find yourself squinting frequently, you may need a new prescription. If your glasses are getting in the way of your daily activities, your eye doctor may recommend switching to contacts.

Check for Eye Diseases

Certain eye diseases, like macular degeneration and glaucoma, do not show symptoms immediately but can lead to vision loss. That is another reason why annual eye exams are so important. Your eye doctor will screen for these diseases during your exam and recommend treatment if necessary. The earlier these eye diseases are diagnosed, the easier they are to treat.

Detect Other Health Issues

Believe it or not, you can find out a lot about your overall health during an eye exam. For example, your eye doctor will assess the condition of the blood vessels in your retina. If he or she notices any damages to the blood vessels, it may indicate that you have diabetes.

Provide Valuable Advice

When you are at your annual eye exam, your optometrist can also provide tips on how to take better care of your vision. For instance, if you have a family history of cataracts and are worried about developing the condition, your doctor may advise you to wear sunglasses, eat fruits and vegetables and manage other health issues, like diabetes.

As you can see, there are many good reasons to see an eye doctor every year. If it has been more than a year since your last eye exam, you should schedule an appointment with an eye doctor as soon as possible.