Why is it important to see an ophthalmologist regularly? - 1

Why is it important to see an ophthalmologist regularly? - 1

An eye appointment is essential to maintain the health of your eyes and prevent serious vision problems. Even if you're not experiencing any specific problems, it's important to make regular visits to the ophthalmologist to ensure that your vision is always in good condition.

Over time, our eyes face different challenges, from exposure to ultraviolet radiation to natural aging. Unfortunately, many eye problems don't show symptoms until it's too late to treat them. That's why it's important to make regular ophthalmology appointments to ensure you're aware of any eye health problems you may have and can treat them quickly.

One of the main reasons for regular visits to the ophthalmologist is to detect vision problems early. It's particularly important for children because they often don't notice vision problems and can't tell if they're seeing well or badly. It's only at school age that they realize something isn't right, and sometimes it's their teachers or parents. If they see well in one eye but badly in the other, they don't notice either. In any case, it's important to take your child to the ophthalmologist by the age of 4 at the latest, even if everything seems fine. Pathology that is discovered early can most often be cured.

In adults, many eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts, can develop without causing any apparent symptoms at first:

• Macula degeneration is a disease that affects the central part of the retina, responsible for central vision. It can cause difficulty in reading, driving and in a later stage, prevent reading, recognizing coins or faces. It is similar to a spot that prevents you from seeing objects.
• Glaucoma is another common disease that can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve and lead to non-reversible blindness. Some warning signs include headaches, blurred vision, difficulty focusing in dark environments, sensitivity to light and changes in color perception. The glaucoma specialists at CPO can help detect and treat this condition.
• Cataracts are a condition in which the crystalline lens, the natural lens of the eye, becomes opaque, causing gradual loss of vision, which is easily resolved by surgery. This type of surgery is available at CPO and you can discuss the process with your doctor during your ophthalmology appointment.

During the consultation, your ophthalmologist will assess your family history and analyze possible associated risks. These could be risks that need to be considered in everyday habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking or pre-existing conditions. When these risks and problems are detected early, it is more likely that they can be successfully treated by identifying them during an eye appointment.

In addition, a regular ophthalmology consultation gives you a good idea of the health of your eyes. The ophthalmologist can assess visual acuity, intraocular pressure and the condition of your eyes during the appointment. The ophthalmologist can also detect signs of general health problems, such as diabetes and hypertension, which can affect the health of your eyes. Diabetes can cause vision problems such as diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. Hypertension can also cause vision problems, including intracranial hypertension, which can cause damage to the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.

The ophthalmology appointment also serves to ensure that the graduation of your glasses or contact lenses is always up to date. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, it's important to have them adjusted regularly to ensure you're seeing correctly. If you have an old prescription, you may be facing unnecessary difficulties reading or focusing near or far. A routine examination during your eye appointment can help identify these problems.

An eye appointment can also help prevent safety problems at work. If you work in a profession that requires excellent eyesight, such as a pilot, driver or surgeon, it's important to make sure your eyesight is in good condition to avoid accidents. In addition, if you work in an environment with risks for your eyes, such as a machine shop or laboratory, it's important to have an ophthalmology appointment to ensure that your vision isn't being affected by exposure to toxic substances or radiation.

In summary, ophthalmology appointments are important for:

• Detect vision problems or diseases early;
• Ensure you have a good idea of the health of your eyes;
• Detect signs of general health problems, such as diabetes and hypertension;
• Keep your glasses or contact lens prescription up to date;
• Preventing diseases that could permanently affect vision if not treated in time;
• Preventing safety problems at work.

During your ophthalmology appointment, your doctor will be able to give you recommendations for eye care, such as

• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun;
• Wear goggles for UV protection;
• Take regular breaks when using electronic devices;
• Include nutrient-rich foods in your diet to maintain eye health.

If you have pre-existing eye health problems or a family history of eye problems, it's advisable to book ophthalmology appointments more frequently. Be sure to take care of your eye health and book your ophthalmology appointment at CPO Clínica Privada de Oftalmologia in Lisbon.

Remember that prevention is always the best option to ensure the health of your eyes and keep your vision clear for many years to come.