The Importance of Good Visual Health
By Essilor Canada
In 2018, Canadians are more and more invested in their day-to-day health and wellbeing. But what about visual health? Strangely, interest drops drastically when it's time to look after the health of our eyes.
The overuse of electronic devices leads to eye fatigue, headaches and sleep-cycle disorders. In order to continue to benefit from these devices, while preserving our visual comfort, it is important to take care of our eyes. Of all digital devices, the smartphone is perceived as having the most negative impact on vision. The computer is a close second! Eyes are organs that can easily be damaged and they must be cared for. A simple and effective way is to have a regular eye exam. Only an eyecare professional can make a complete visual health diagnosis and guide you to an informed choice of frames and lenses, which are tailored to your lifestyle and your vision.
Most people make an appointment for an eye exam only when they feel they need it. Many Canadians have a high tolerance for poor vision and consult an eyecare professional only when it starts making a significant impact on their ability to perform their daily activities. The most common situation is when driving. Poor vision can significantly slow down reaction time and lead to dangerous consequences. One in five drivers do not see the road clearly due to uncorrected vision. Glare, which occurs during the day and at night, is the most worrying visual discomfort and slows drivers' capacity to detect things on the road as well as their reaction time.
You wouldn't delay a dentist appointment to treat a cavity that is hurting you — why are you putting off your visit to your eyecare professional? A preventative approach to eyecare can have a significantly positive impact upon your quality of life. Good visual health is much more than just clear vision. Your eyes are windows to your health; an eye exam can actually save your life! An eyecare professional can detect several health problems in your body such as diabetes, certain cancers, thyroid diseases and hypertension. Screened quickly via the eyes, these diseases can be treated before they become problematic.
The good news is that 75% of vision loss can be treated or prevented with proper eyecare — that is why having regular eye exams is so important.
Stop delaying your appointment and start taking your eye health seriously. Find a qualified eyecare professional near you and make an appointment for an eye exam today.
Minimum frequency recommended for eye examinations in low-risk patients1:
Age | Frequency |
From 6 to 9 months | First eye exam |
From 5 to 18-years-old | Once a year |
From 19 to 64-years-old | Once every two years |
65-years-old and over | Once a year |
1Source: Canadian Association of Optometrists