Many people take in the world around them primarily through sight. From the vibrant colors of a sunset to the details of a loved one’s face, healthy eyes are essential for this experience.
But beyond allowing you to see clearly, healthy eyes also play a crucial role in your overall health and well-being, no matter your age.
Importance of healthy eyes in childhood
Healthy eyes are incredibly important for children as they play a fundamental role in their overall development, learning and quality of life.
Children with poor vision often find it hard to focus in school, which can cause them to fall behind their peers academically. More concerningly, an observational study published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that children with vision impairment are more likely to show symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to their peers who don’t have impaired vision.
One of the best ways to keep tabs on your child’s eye health is to have their vision screened. Screenings are an important tool in detecting eye problems early, which allows treatment of issues before they become more severe.
Signs of poor vision in children
It can be hard to recognize that your child is suffering from vision problems. Children may have poor vision if they have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Recurring headaches
- Eye pain
- Head tilting
- Complaining of eye pain
- Losing their place when reading
- Holding items close to their face
- Eye rubbing or blinking
If your child is frequently complaining about their eyes or avoids doing tasks such as reading, it may be a sign to get to an eye doctor.
Pro tip: Vision benefits help you and your family maintain healthy eyes and get professional care if needed.
Importance of healthy eyes in adults
As you age, eye health becomes even more important. Clear vision is essential for carrying out daily activities independently, such as driving, reading, cooking and working. Additionally, your eyes provide valuable insights into your overall health. Regular eye exams can detect early signs of systemic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and other medical problems.
Maintaining healthy eyes in adulthood
According to a health survey from American Foundation for the Blind, 32.2 million adults in the United States have experienced vision loss. These numbers are predicted to increase in the upcoming decades. Unfortunately, adults with vision problems may experience feelings of anxiety, fear, depression, loneliness, and even social isolation.
The National Eye Institute recommends that adults get comprehensive dilated eye exams every one to two years if they are over 60, are African American and over 40, or if there is a history of eye problems in their family. During the exam, an eye doctor uses special eye drops that widen, or dilate, the pupils. This allows the doctor to check for common vision problems and eye diseases. It’s one of the best ways to see if glasses or contacts are needed or if the early stages of eye-related diseases are present.
Dilated eye exams not only help eye doctors identify problems with your vision, but they can also help detect problems with your overall health.
Conditions that can be found through eye exams include:
- Diabetic retinopathy – A complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels of light-sensitive tissues in the retina. At first, it may cause no symptoms, but it can lead to blindness.
- Glaucoma – There are a few types of glaucoma, all of which damage the optic nerve in the eye. It’s the leading cause of blindness for individuals over 60. When recognized early, vision loss can be prevented.
- Cataracts – This condition clouds the normally clear lens of our eye, making it difficult to read, drive, or see facial expressions. Though it may not disturb your vision early on, it will eventually interfere. Surgery for cataracts is considered generally safe and effective.
- Age-related macular degeneration – Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition characterized by the gradual blurring of central vision. This deterioration occurs due to the aging process, which leads to damage in the macula, a crucial component responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision.
Healthy eyes are important at every age
Regardless of age, maintaining healthy eyes is essential for overall well-being and quality of life. From childhood to older adulthood, prioritizing eye health through regular exams, healthy lifestyle habits, and UV protection can help ensure clear vision and optimal eye function at every stage of life.
Vision insurance is essential when it comes to maintaining your eye health. Vision care coverage with DeltaVision makes it easy to care for your eyes and vision.
We partner with popular providers like LensCrafters® and Target Optical℠ in addition to many smaller, independent doctors. These retailers offer conveniences such as multiple locations and extended hours to help our members get the service they need when they need it.
Learn more about DeltaVision.
*Updated May 2024
