Ask Your Optometrist These Important Questions During Your Next Eye Exam

Questions To Ask Your Optometrist If You Have Not Been Diagnosed With An Eye Condition

What Can I Do To Prevent Eye Disease In The Future?
Everyone is at risk of developing some form of eye condition. The best way to prevent these conditions is to take action now to live a healthier life and take care of your eye health. You may want to discuss your nutrition, activity level, medications you take, family history, and habits (such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use). All of these will affect your eye health in the future and your optometrist can offer guidance as to how adjusting your lifestyle can prolong good eye health. To start learning about nutrition and your eyes, read Save Your Vision Month: Eat Your Way To Healthy Eyes.

How Do I Monitor Eye Health?
Even if you have no eye conditions yet, it is always possible that you can develop them in the future. Some eye problems develop slowly over time (for example, glaucoma), whereas others can happen very quickly (for example, a detached retina). Your optometrist will likely suggest annual checkups to monitor for eye conditions that show no symptoms at the beginning of development, but they may also discuss some symptoms that signal you should make an earlier appointment. If you have a family history of any eye conditions, you may want to discuss the symptoms of said conditions.

Questions To Ask Your Optometrist If You Have Been Diagnosed With An Eye Condition

What Do My Symptoms Mean?
This question will help you have a better understanding of your eye health, but it will also ensure you cover all of your bases when discussing with your optometrist. Although your optometrist can look at your eye and perform tests to determine if you have any eye conditions, you also need to tell them of any symptoms you are having. Blurry vision, dry eyes, an abundance of floaters, sensitivity to light, a lack of peripheral vision; whatever symptoms you have noticed, tell your optometrist. The more they know, the better understanding they will have about what condition you may have, how far along it is, and how it is impacting your life.

Will My Condition Progress?
If you have a refractive error that you have had for several years, your prescription likely won’t change. However, people with myopia or presbyopia can experience worsening vision. Other eye conditions related to eye health can progress and become more serious. Cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and more can all become more severe if not properly managed. Speak with your optometrist about management options and what the future of your eye health may look like.

Is My Condition Treatable?
Some eye conditions can be managed but not cured, others can be resolved using surgery, and others may need medication (often in the form of eye drops). The type of condition you have will dictate your management or treatment plan. Discuss with your optometrist what this diagnosis will mean for the future of your eye health and vision as well as any steps you need to take. Your optometrist will answer any questions you have and may direct you to further resources. Remember that your optometrist is there to help you manage your eye condition as well as offer you medical support and guidance. 

Visit A Calgary Optometrist For An Eye Exam

Taking care of your eye health by receiving regular eye exams is a vital part of protecting your vision and detecting any eye conditions early. At Sunridge Eye Clinic in NE Calgary, our team of optometrists and eye care specialists will ensure that you not only receive top-quality eye care but also that all of your questions and concerns are addressed. At Sunridge Eye Clinic, we believe our patients should be fully educated about their optical health so that they can have a full understanding of their own well-being and the ability to make smart choices about their eye health. To book an eye exam with one of our Calgary optometrists, contact Sunridge Eye Clinic at 1-403-280-7518 or fill out the online contact form.

FAQ

Q: How long is a comprehensive eye exam?
A: A comprehensive eye exam will last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the tests performed by your optometrist.

Q: When do most people develop eye conditions?
A: While you can develop an eye condition at any point in your life, it is most common for eye conditions to begin developing after age 40. Your risk for developing eye conditions will continue to increase as you get older, but other factors such as diet, exercise, lifestyle, tobacco use, sun exposure, and more will also affect your risk of developing eye conditions.

Q: Are there any eye conditions I can catch from someone else?
A: Other than bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) and other often short-lived infections, the majority of eye conditions and diseases are non-transferable from person to person.