5 reasons why you should have regular eye tests

1. You only get one set of eyes

   It may sound obvious, but it’s an important reminder: you only have one pair of eyes. There is no replacement for them, so taking care of them is crucial. And the only way to truly make sure your eyes stay healthy and your vision is good is with regular eye tests.
   
   Having regular eye tests isn't just for adults.  Children can also benefit from them, as any vision loss can have a huge impact on their social development and school performance.
   
   

2. Spot potentially blinding eye conditions early

   Did you know that more than 75% of cases of blindness are preventable if identified in time? Many eye conditions show no symptoms in their early stages, meaning you may not realise you have a serious problem until your vision is affected.
   
   For certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, prevention is the only cure. This alone is a great reason to visit your optometrist regularly.
   
   

3. Poor eyesight is dangerous

   You might not have considered this before, but an eye test can save your life. When your vision is poor because your prescription has changed (or for any other clinical reason) you become dangerous to yourself and others.
   
   Home accidents, and especially car accidents are more likely to happen. It has been estimated that around 3,000 injuries every year in the UK are caused by drivers with poor eyesight. If you're a driver, taking steps to make sure you aren't a risk to yourself and others might be the most important thing you do today.
   
   

4. Sight deteriorates with age

   As we reach our 60s and beyond, an eye test can help identify age-related vision problems which are very common. Some conditions, such as presbyopia (difficulty seeing things up close), are considered normal as we age and can be easily solved with a pair of good reading glasses.
   
   Another common vision problem among older people is the formation of cataract, which nowadays is successfully treated with surgery. Major age-related issues include macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, which can be picked up with regular eye exams or more in-depth OCT scan.
   
   

5. Might detect other underlying health issues

   An eye test spots changes in your prescription and checks your eye health, but did you know it can also detect some underlying health issues? During a thorough eye exam, an optometrist will have a close-up look at your blood vessels, optic nerves, and other complex eye structures, which can indicate the presence of health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
   
   Other health problems that an eye test could detect are autoimmune diseases, some forms of cancer and other neurological conditions.
   
   Consider upgrading your next eye test with an OCT Scan. This involves creating a 3D image of inside your eye so we can measure the thickness of each layer of the retina, and detect serious conditions even earlier.

Book an eye test with us

If you haven’t had a check up in the past year, we strongly recommend you book an eye test at your nearest branch. You can find your nearest store here.