May is Healthy Vision Month, which means now is the time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam. While these are exams we may let fall by the wayside, they are extremely important to maintaining our eye health.

Why Comprehensive Eye Exams Matter for Every Age

Comprehensive eye exams serve several purposes. During these exams, your eye doctor checks for vision problems and eye diseases, verifies what stage of any diseases your eyes may be in, and determines if you need glasses, contacts, or other treatments.

Pediatric exams test for visual acuity, lazy eye, color vision, ocular health, and more — extremely important for the school years ahead.

For older children and teenagers, myopia (nearsightedness) is one of the biggest concerns. It's important to identify and treat early with glasses or contacts as children begin to learn in larger spaces, play sports, and drive.

Adult exams are recommended at least every two years, or as recommended by your eye care specialist. Exams for adults are necessary to catch eye conditions that can cause vision loss and even lead to blindness, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.

5 Ways to Help Protect Your Vision

1. Healthy eating. Add dark, leafy greens and seafood high in omega-3 fatty acids to your plate to support eye health.
2. Protective eyewear. Whether you're mowing the lawn, painting, or riding a motorcycle, wear protective eyewear. Consider blue-light protection glasses for screen time too.
3. Sunglasses. Protect your eyes from UV radiation from the sun. Let us help you pick the best pair!
4. Clean hands. Wash your hands before putting in or taking out your contacts to avoid infection.
5. Stop smoking. Smoking can increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and more.

Happy Healthy Vision Month! Get your appointment on the books with Dayton Optometric Center in Kettering, Ohio today. Call (937) 228-2020.