Common Mistakes Patients Make Regarding Their Eye Health
Vision is the most important of the five senses, as eighty percent of what we perceive comes through our sense of sight. Unfortunately, good eyesight is something most of us take for granted. To stay on top of your eye health, you need to look after your eyes. To avoid or reduce vision problems, it’s essential to keep your eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows, and eyewear clean, wear protective eyewear when needed, fulfill your nutritional needs, and make regular visits to your ophthalmologist.
However, many tend to skimp on eye care, causing harmful eye diseases, and sometimes, complete loss of sight. With over two decades of experience in optometry, Dr. Vanessa Luong Opt. Prof. Corp has come across many patients that have compromised their sense of vision by committing some avoidable mistakes.
To help you take care of your eyes in an optimum manner, avoid eye problems, and keep your eye health at its impeccable best, here’s a list of three common mistakes people make regarding their eye health, that you should avoid.
1. Not getting an annual eye exam
Patients tend not to get their eyes checked regularly because they feel their vision seems normal. Unfortunately, some eye conditions, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, may not affect the vision at the onset. Patients under twenty years of age should have annual eye exams; healthy adults should have their eyes checked at least once every two years. For patients with any medical or eye conditions, the frequencies of eye exams may vary.
2. OTC eye drop abuse
When their eyes are uncomfortable, red, or irritated, patients tend to reach for OTC eye drops. Red, irritated eyes may be caused by infection, dryness, allergies, or inflammation inside the eye. Some of these conditions are only treatable by medication prescribed by an eye care professional. In order to get the proper treatment for the “red-eye,” patients should see their optometrist before using any OTC eye drops.
3. Not knowing the urgency of the eye problem
When their vision is affected, patients often think that their condition is temporary and wait in the hope that it will improve over time. However, some eye conditions can become sight-threatening if not treated immediately. Always seek consultation as soon as possible at the first sign of vision or eye problem.
To avoid these and other mistakes regarding eye health, reach out to Dr. Vanessa Luong Opt. Prof. Corp. I received training focused extensively on the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases and therapeutics during my internship at OMNI Eye Services in Atlanta. I have over twenty years of experience in providing comprehensive family optometric care to patients. I am Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents certified, which enables me to prescribe medication to manage and treat various eye conditions. To learn more about the services we provide, please click here. If you have any questions about eye care and eye health, get in touch with us by clicking here.