The Best Solution to Over 16 Million Undiagnosed Cases of Eye Disorders

Many vision-related conditions don’t pop up suddenly; they develop over time.

Eye care is an important part of our physical health. Since sight is our most valuable sense, protecting the organs that give us our vision is key to maintaining a high quality of life. And the best way to do that is by attending annual eye exams.

Unfortunately, not everyone does; a whopping 46% of Americans do not make their yearly visit to an eye doctor. With so many people blowing this off, there are an estimated 16 million undiagnosed cases of eye issues in the country. You might be thinking that these stats are due to a lack of knowledge surrounding eye care, but that does not appear to be the case. A recent study by Johnson & Johnson showed that roughly 80% of Americans agree that eye exams are a vital part of one’s health. So why do only about half of us follow through?

For some, the problem is cost. For most, the problem is that there are no apparent problems. That is, people with great vision assume that they will always have great vision. Unfortunately, our eyes are like cars – the more we use them, the more they deteriorate. And this deterioration is often hard to notice until it’s too late.

Many common eye disorders (e.g. glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic diseases) are conditions that develop gradually and display no warning signs that are visible to the naked eye. Identifying these issues in their early stages can only be done when you’re in the hands of experienced optometrists.

They say you never appreciate what you have until it’s gone, and good sight is no exception. It must be better understood that eye exams are best used as preventative measures. You wouldn’t want one after developing an eye condition no more than you would want a seatbelt after a motor vehicle accident (the car metaphors are resonating today).

If you’ve been neglecting your annual vision exam, then now is the time to correct the course of your eye health and improve your overall well-being. To schedule an appointment with Sterling Vision, call 541-342-2201 or schedule online.