Blog

In August we celebrate National Eye Exam month and all the benefits of SEE-ing your optometrist for your yearly check-up! While most love stories might have you believe that the eyes are the windows to the soul, most health care professionals know that the eyes can be a great window into your overall health and wellness!

There are many reasons why it is important to get a yearly eye exam, especially for older adults, but we are going to touch upon four that we find most important:

1. Change in Vision

It is important to have a baseline of your vision so it is easy for doctors to note if/when things start changing. It’s common as you age for your vision to change. Vision changes may effect things like, depth perception, visual acuity and the ability to focus on nearby objects. Going to the eye doctor will help to ensure your glasses or contacts are adjusted with the correct prescription and monitor any changes in your eyesight.

2. Quality of Life

Blurry vision may limit your ability to drive safely, read, watch TV or participate in social activities. Losing the ability to take part in certain aspects of your normal routine may start to feel like a loss of independence, a very touchy subject for older adults. Regular eye exams address any vision challenges happening and possible solutions.

3. Age Related Illness Detection

As you progress in age, the potential for developing conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration increases. Consistently consulting with your eye doctor will facilitate the early detection and treatment of these issues.

4. Driving

One of the hardest things to give up as you age is the ability to drive. One way to prolong your time behind the wheel is to make sure your vision is clear and that you meet the necessary requirements to hold a license. One of the biggest reasons seniors start to feel socially isolated is because they need to rely on others to get them places. We talk more about this in our blog, The Difference between Loneliness and Social Isolation. Your yearly check up is a great opportunity to make sure it is still safe for you to be behind the wheel!

From driving to overall health and illness detection, there are plenty of reasons to make sure you have your yearly eye exam booked – we hope we’ve given you at least one reason to SEE your eye doctor this year!

Discover life at a Northbridge community 

If you’re considering senior living for yourself or a family member, we hope you’ll visit one of our communities. You’ll find a maintenance-free, activity-filled and engaging lifestyle to help support your wellness goals. 

We’re here to answer any of your questions and invite you to download our complimentary guide Choosing the Right Senior Living Community: A Step by Step Guide for Making an Informed Decision. Please contact us if we can provide further information or if you would like to schedule a personalized tour.