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- Eye Health
- VSP Contributor, 11 Sep 2024
9 Frequently Asked Questions About Vision Health
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Maintaining the health of your eyes and vision is crucial for overall quality of life. There are common questions about eye and vision health that many of us have. It helps to understand the basics of vision health, so you feel confident when you choose your own vision care. Let’s look at nine of the most frequently asked questions about vision health and vision care.
Yes, there are several proactive steps you can take to reduce the risk of vision loss. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a key part of reducing the risk of vision loss.
Here are some of the actions you can take to reduce vision loss:
Regular eye exams are essential to vision health because they can detect signs of vision problems and eye diseases at an early stage when they're most treatable. Many eye conditions, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration, often have no early symptoms. Early detection through regular exams can prevent or slow vision loss.
An eye exam typically involves several tests to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. A full-service eye exam may include some of the following vision tests:
Choosing between eyeglasses and contact lenses depends on personal preference, lifestyle, and specific vision needs. Here are some of the key differences between eyeglasses and contact lenses:
Glasses:
Contact Lenses:
When deciding between eyeglasses and contact lenses, consider factors such as convenience, comfort, and your specific vision requirements. Some people use both, wearing glasses at home and contacts when they need the convenience and unobstructed view they provide. Most vision insurance plans offer discounts or allowances for prescription eyewear—this can be a great reason to add vision insurance if you don’t already have it.
Several conditions can cause vision loss and impairment in individuals 40 and older, here are some of the most common causes:
No matter your age, taking care of your vision health matters. Understanding the more common reasons for vision loss can help you make choices that support your eyesight.
Selecting the right eye care professional can be confusing. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between ophthalmologists, optometrist, and opticians.
Ophthalmologist:
Optometrist:
Optician:
Knowing the expertise of each eye care professional empowers you to make informed decisions about your vision health.
Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, results from prolonged use of digital screens. Symptoms include eye discomfort, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain.
Here are some things you can do to avoid digital eye strain:
UV rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation from the sun. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can damage various parts of the eye, leading to conditions such as:
To protect your eyes from UV rays, wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays and consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection.
Several health conditions can adversely affect eye health, including:
Managing these health conditions effectively with the help of health care professionals can protect your vision.
Maintaining vision health is crucial for overall well-being. Regular eye exams, a healthy lifestyle, and proper eye protection can significantly reduce the risk of vision problems. Having vision insurance can make your corrective eyewear and regular eye exams simple and cost-effective. When researching your vision insurance plan, make sure they offer a large network of providers in your area, and compare the benefits you’ll have access to. These may include discounted glasses or contacts, low-cost eye exams, and more. VSP® Individual Vision Plans make it simple to find an eye doctor near you.
By staying informed and proactive, you can preserve your vision and enjoy a better quality of life.
Information received through VSP Individual Vision Plans' social media channels is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon is Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs at VSP Vison Care where she helps drive strategic initiatives aimed at raising awareness about vision, eye health and its connection to overall wellness, while providing insight into medical advancements that seek to benefit patient care. She also provides oversight of VSP programs to address gaps in care for some of the most high-risk populations, including those living with diabetes.
With more than two decades of experience as a Doctor of Optometry, Dr. Sheety-Pilon has dedicated much of her time to clinical research across numerous ophthalmic subspecialties and has an established history of helping patients through novel therapeutic agents and clinical adoption of transformative technology in the areas of digital health, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
Prior to joining VSP Vision in 2019, Dr. Sheety-Pilon served as Adjunct Clinical Professor at Illinois College of Optometry, held various executive positions within the eye health industry, and has extensive experience managing and practicing within an ophthalmology and optometry practice.
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