Has it been a while since you visited the optometrist? Making time for a vision exam at the Elmhurst, IL, office of your eye doctors at Skowron Eye Care not only helps you protect your eyesight but also offers a few other benefits.

Why eye exams are so important?
Vision changes are often slow and subtle. In fact, you may not even realize that your vision has gotten worse until you visit your Elmhurst eye doctor. Regular eye exams are important no matter what your age, but are particularly crucial for children. After all, without good vision, it's hard to succeed in school or sports.

Other benefits of regular checkups include:

• Prompt Detection and Treatment of Eye Diseases: In the early stages, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or other conditions and diseases may not cause any noticeable changes in your vision. When symptoms do occur, permanent damage may already have happened. If any eye diseases or conditions are spotted during your annual visit, you'll be able to receive the treatment you need to prevent vision loss.

• Identification of General Health Issues: Did you know that some diseases cause changes in your eyes. If you have diabetes, you're more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy, a condition that occurs when the blood vessels in your retina begin to leak. Leaking can lead to impaired vision that can become permanent if you don't receive treatment to seal the vessels. Other health issues that can cause obvious changes in the eyes include high blood pressure, Lyme disease, shingles, autoimmune diseases, rosacea, and liver disease.

• Strategies to Relieve Computer Vision Syndrome: Computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eyestrain, occurs when you spend too much time using computers, smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices. Symptoms include blurry vision, dry eyes, eyestrain, headaches, and neck and shoulder pain. Your optometrist can prescribe computer glasses that reduce glare and filter out blue light and offer safe viewing tips.

• Information on Eye Care Topics: Visits are the perfect time to discuss issues that affect your eyes, such as dry eye or irritation from contact lenses. If you've been having a little difficulty seeing up close as you've gotten older, your eye doctor can offer reading glasses and discuss the benefits of bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses if you already wear glasses or contacts.
   

Do you need to schedule an eye exam? Call your Elmhurst, IL, eye doctors at Skowron Eye Care at (630) 834-6244 to make an appointment.