Many of us have some phobia of not going to the doctor due to pre-conceived notions. But did you know that avoiding visiting a doctor is worst than getting to know the hidden grave danger, which you might not prepare for mentally? Don't feel scared but alarmed, and listen to your body promptly. It's better to be safe than to be sorry. Through the help of this article, we shall ascertain the importance of regular visits to the optician.

Introduction

Optometrists (opticians) are specialists who do not check for any issues with the eyes but can foresee and warn of any impending dangers occurring within the body. As per a common phrase, "eyes are the window to the soul," But increasing lifestyle changes the scope of the soul goes to overall body health.

For instance, a preventive eye check can reveal whether the eye is healthy or has optometric issues due to occupational hazards. Also, underlying health issues such as diabetes, blood pressure, macular degeneration, glaucoma, or cataract can be prevented well on time if discovered during a routine checkup. With the advancement of optometry and visual science technology, many life-threatening diseases can be treated timely, and a person can live everyday life.

7 important reasons to visit an optometrist    

1. ED visits:- ED or Emergency Department visit happens at the time of any trauma to the eye and must be taken care of and acted upon swiftly. This quick and timely action can save someone from losing vision. Situations that call for a visit to the ED are; eye injury, eye pain, bleeding of the eye, swelling of the eye, accidental chemical contact, rips, tears, or punctures. Rather than consulting a family doctor, it is better to rush to an optometrist who might recommend an ophthalmologist if the trauma needs surgical intervention.

2. Change in optic health:- A regular and timely visit to the optometrist helps to determine the overall baseline of optic health. Once the optometrist is well accustomed to the patient, it will be easy for them to detect vision and any underlying health issues. Using state-of-the-art testing equipment can assess complex issues within a few minutes. Eye conditions can often occur without early warning signs and impact your vision.

3. Diagnosing conjunctivitis:- Popularly known as the "pink eye," it is a dreadful and highly contagious disease. Many innumerable factors can cause conjunctivitis, but a timely visit to the nearest optometrist can assure proper diagnosis and treatment. Avoiding seeking medical help or self-treatment may hamper recovery or, even worse, vision loss.

4. Detecting glaucoma:- Glaucoma is an eye disease that aims at the optic nerve of the human eye. The abnormally high pressure in the eye leads to damage to the optical nerve connecting the eye to the brain and impacts viewing issues, leading to permanent vision loss. The sooner it is detected, the better the chances of recovery as there is no permanent cure. A trained optometrist can carefully look for signs of glaucoma in your eyes and prescribe a treatment that possibly mitigates vision loss. Glaucoma happens in older adults after the age of 60.

5. Detecting Myopia:- Myopia, also known as nearsightedness and short-sightedness, is an eye disorder in which the light focuses in front of, instead of on, the retina. In other words, objects at a distance look blurry, whereas the nearby look clearer. This defect happens when the eyeball grows too long; less commonly lens is too strong. It's called a refractive error. This eye defect happens in children during their childhood. Corrective glasses and contact lenses offer better sight to the affected person. Certain cases might also need refractive surgery, photorefractive keratectomy, or even LASIK, which are expensive procedures; however, if covered under the terms and conditions of insurance, they can be of some relief on the pocket.

6. Detection of Macular Degeneration:- Macular degeneration causes a loss of vision in the center of the eye. Blurred vision is a vital symptom of this eye condition; however, peripheral or side vision works. There are two kinds of macular degeneration; dry and wet. In dry macular degeneration, the center of the retina deteriorates, whereas, in a wet one, leaky blood vessels grow under the retina. The newest treatment for this is the injection of Susvimo, (ranibizumab) 100ml/mL for intravitreal usage via ocular implants for patients with wet, neovascular disorder, or AMD ( Age-related macular degeneration). Those who responded to 2 doses of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections.

7. Other underlying health issues:- As the famous proverb," your eyes are the window of your soul," but your eyes are more than a window in detecting health complications of your body. When the optometrist closely examines the delicate blood vessels of your eye, it can tell the existing state of the body's circulatory system. Early treatment can not only result in faster treatment but also save lives. An eye examination detects some issues are diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

To summarise, everyone must do a timely eye checkup once a year or whenever they are due if you are an existing patient with an ongoing issue. Eye issues can be age-related or accidental. They should not be taken in a lighter vein or attempting self-treatment. Going to the nearest clinic or hospital might help in an emergency. Also, it's a good practice to follow up with an optometrist once a year to maintain healthy vision via periodic examinations.

Moreover, updating your prescription for any vision changes is a handy document for the opticians in case you consider an upgrade, as anything older will be disregarded and discarded. Lastly, diet and exercise are essential in maintaining good retinal health. Foods are rich in Vitamin A (retinol) and beta carotine such as carrots and collard greens, minerals, fewer carbs, and zero processed foods. Even if you have perfect eyesight, it's a good practice to wear UVA-UVB glasses when stepping out as the sun rays can cause tremendous damage over a while.