An optometrist is an eye care professional who has completed a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. They can examine, diagnose, and treat eyes. An optometrist in Boynton Beach is able to provide care for many eye diseases, disorders, and trauma, such as pink eye, glaucoma, and dry eye. They also perform vision exams and treat farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. Optmetrists prescribe vision corrective devices including glasses and contact lenses.
When Should You See an Optometrist in Boynton Beach?
You should see an eye doctor when any of the following occurs:
- You experience a change in vision
- You have difficulty seeing at night, especially when driving
- You see halos around lights, such as when driving at night
- You struggle to see things that are close to you (nearsightedness)
- You struggle to see things far away (farsightedness)
- You experience an injury to the eye
- Your eyes are painful, itchy, red, and / or swollen
- You start experiencing headaches with no known cause, especially when accompanied by any changes in vision
- You experience eye fatigue, especially if you work on computer screens for extended periods of time
- You begin squinting to see better
You should see your eye doctor annually if you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, though you may be able to go two years between exams if you don’t have any other conditions affecting the eyes. Other considerations that affect how often to see your eye doctor include your age and risk factors for eye diseases and / or disorders. It’s a good idea to consult with an eye doctor if you’ve been to a different optometrist who recommends a specific treatment plan for a second opinion.
If you experience any of the above eye concerns or other issues involving the eyes, call an optometrist.
The most important guideline to follow on when to see an eye doctor is when in doubt, call. It’s much better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to something as serious as your eyesight. Call your optometrist in Boynton Beach to ask if you should schedule an appointment when anything out of the usual happens with your eyes or to schedule your annual eye exam.