As the year comes to a close, it’s a good time for reflecting on your health. Included in this is your eyes, which means checking in on what’s available in your vision care benefits plan. Most insurance plans do not carry over into the new year, so now is the time to ensure that you are making the most of your plan. Vision care benefits often include both eye exams and eyewear. By visiting your local optometry clinic soon, you can make sure to take care of your eyes and enter the new year in style.
Getting your eyes checked regularly with a comprehensive eye exam is important, even if your vision feels fine. Eye exams reveal more than just your vision and are an important part of overall health maintenance. Regular eye exams can reveal signs of underlying systemic health issues such as diabetes or high cholesterol. While certain ocular conditions, such as glaucoma or dry eye disease, may be unnoticeable in early stages and can only be detected during an eye exam.
Checking in to see if your current eyewear is meeting your needs is also important. Prescriptions can change slowly and lenses can wear out over time. Giving yourself a small update can make a big difference in visual clarity. Furthermore, there are ongoing innovations in glasses and contact lens technology, which can provide increased clarity and comfort to your daily life. There are different types of glasses that optimize particular tasks, such as specialized computer glasses and night driving glasses. There is also a wider range of contact lenses for astigmatism and multifocal prescriptions now available. Your insurance may help cover the cost of new glasses, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses, so it’s a wonderful time to try something new.
With the end of the year approaching, appointments tend to fill up quickly. Take a moment to contact your local optometrist to schedule an exam, review your eyewear needs, and stay proactive about your health and vision today!
Talisa Dennis, OD