Most people are familiar with the importance of annual physicals and bi-annual dental checkups. However, it's just as vital to routinely visit your eye doctor. A routine check will ensure your vision is good, screen for diseases, and update your prescription if you have glasses. Read on for an explanation of the benefits of regular visits to the eye doctor's office.

Start Early

If you are a parent, make sure to bring your child in for eye exams regularly. A child won't necessarily be able to tell if their vision is poor. Among the negative side effects of poor vision is an added difficulty in the classroom. Children with untreated poor eyesight may struggle to learn effectively. Routinely checking vision early in your child's life will prevent these problems from growing and affecting their lives.

Vision Over Time

Aging may also reduce the function of your eyes. According to the CDC, 12 million adults over the age of 40 have some form of vision impairment, with around 70% of people developing cataracts by age 75. Regular visits to the eye doctor will allow you and the physician to monitor your eyesight and jump on vision correction early. Just because you're aging doesn't mean your eyesight has to suffer. Modern LASIK and cataract eye surgery is extremely effective at restoring your vision.

Eye Health

Visiting an ophthalmologist or optometrist regularly can also help screen for diseases and other disorders specific to the eye like glaucoma, macular degeneration, amblyopia, and keratoconus. Eye exams contribute to your overall health, too. Eye doctors can also monitor the health of the blood vessels in your eyes and catch early signs of heart disease and diabetes.

Precription Updates

If you already wear prescription glasses or contacts, regular eye exams are a must. The wrong prescription negates the whole point of wearing glasses if it's too weak or causes nausea and dizziness. Eye exams will keep you on the ball for your vision correction and help you avoid these negative side effects.

Don't forget about an annual eye exam when you're planning your healthcare appointments. If you're experiencing symptoms like eye pain, blurred or spotty vision, headaches, or dry eye, only eye doctors can diagnose and treat the problem. If you have healthy eyes and good eyesight you want to maintain, a routine checkup is still a good idea to monitor your health and detect a variety of diseases early. Schedule an appointment with the professionals at Northern Eye Center to check another box on your list of health treatment.