• Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • March Newsletter: Is Your Prescription Up to Date? What You Need to Know about When and Why You should See Your Optometrist

March Newsletter: Is Your Prescription Up to Date? What You Need to Know about When and Why You should See Your Optometrist

Woman puts glasses on the camera

Is Your Prescription Up-to-Date? What You Need to Know About When and Why You Should See Your Optometrist

Walking out of the optometrist's office with a new pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses is literally an eye-opening experience. The world around you no longer looks fuzzy, and the words on your digital screens suddenly become crisp and clear. Like many people, you may have waited longer than necessary to see the eye doctor in the past. So how often should you pay a visit to the optometrist?

When to Schedule a Vision Checkup

The American Optometric Association offers several age-related recommendations for eye exams, including:

  • Once at 6 to 12 Months of Age
  • At Least One Exam Between Ages 3 - 5
  • Just Before Starting First Grade
  • Every Year Between 6 - 17
  • Every Two Years for People 18 - 64
  • Every Year for People 65 and Older

Keep in mind that these are just general recommendations. You may need to see the optometrist more often due to:

  • Blurry Vision. If things start to look a little blurry, don't wait for your next checkup to see the eye doctor. Although your eyesight usually becomes more stable when you're an adult, you may still experience vision changes that happen well before your next regular eye exam. Prescription changes are particularly common in children. In fact, your son or daughter's vision may change more than once during some years.
  • Pain or Sudden Vision Issues. If your eye hurts or you notice a sudden change in your vision, let your eye doctor know. Call your optometrist immediately or go to the emergency room if your vision suddenly becomes blurry, your eye is extremely painful, or you notice dark or blank spots in your vision. If you have a serious eye condition or disease, such as a detached retina or angle-closure glaucoma, prompt treatment will help protect your eyesight.
  • An Eye Injury. Don't wait to see if your eye gets better on its own. Call your eye doctor and ask if you need to be seen if you've poked, punctured, or cut your eye, or came in contact with chemicals. Delaying treatment could result in partial or complete vision loss in some cases.
  • A Dwindling Supply of Contact Lenses or A Desire for New Eyeglasses. Prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses are only good for one year. If you're running low on contacts, or you'd like to try a new frame style, you'll need to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.
  • Eye Disease. Your eye doctor may need to see you more frequently if you have an eye disease, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or macular degeneration,
  • A Family History of Eye Disease. If others in your family have an eye disease, you may be at increased risk for developing the same disease. Regular eye exams make it possible to detect early changes and start treatment as soon as possible.

Other Reasons to See the Eye Doctor

You may also need to visit the optometrist if you:

  • Find It Hard to Read the Small Print. After age 40, most people develop presbyopia, an age-related refractive error that makes it difficult to see close objects clearly. Presbyopia happens when the lens in your eye becomes less flexible and can't adjust as quickly when you shift your focus from far to near objects. Fortunately, reading glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery like LASIK will help you see clearly once again.
  • Participate in Sports. Sports goggles protect your eyes from injury when playing sports or swimming. If you normally wear corrective lenses, ask your eye doctor about fitting you with a pair of prescription goggles. In addition to providing clear vision, prescription goggles are shatterproof and can be tinted to reduce glare or enhance contrast.
  • Use Computers. Eyestrain, a common complaint among people who use digital devices, causes blurred vision, dry eyes, headaches, and neck and shoulder pain. According to a Vision Council survey, almost 60% percent of American report at least one symptom of digital eyestrain. If eyestrain is a problem for you, wearing computer glasses can be helpful. The glasses provide clear vision at the optimal viewing distance for your screen and reduce glare and blue light transmission.

Do you need to pay a visit to the optometrist? Call us to schedule a convenient appointment.

Sources:

American Optometric Association: Comprehensive Eye Exams

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/eye-exams?sso=y

Vision Council: Vision Council Shines Light on Protecting Sight – And Health – in a Multi-Screen Era, 1/7/2019

https://thevisioncouncil.org/blog/vision-council-shines-light-protecting-sight-and-health-multi-screen-era

All About Vision: Questions to Ask Your Eye Doctor, 1/21

https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-exam/ask-my-eye-doctor/

American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is Presbyopia?, 1/7/2019

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-presbyopia

Location

Find us on the map

Hours of Operation

We are closed for lunch daily from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM.

Brier Creek Vision Care

Monday:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonial

  • "Excellent office. Staff is helpful and polite when dealing with my special needs child. They understand when he needs break and how to redirect to another technique to achieve goal. Would highly recommend to others!"
    Jennifer, Raleigh, NC
  • "I needed an eye doctor to see me for my concussion issue that effected my eyesight. There isn't many who are able to assess. Dr. Durham knew just how to work with my case in a gentle manner to help keep me calm. I finally have hope for healing now."
    Elizabeth 3/15/19 - Answer to Prayer
  • "Dr Durham is amazing. She takes the time to hear the patient and is extemely knowlegable."
    Susan 3/16/19 - Amazing
  • "All the staff were very helpful & Susan Durham was very thorough & professional"
    Jill 3/14/19
  • "Dr. Durham and her staff are the best and most knowledgeable dealing with brain injuries. Highly recommended!"
    Kristina 3/11/19 - Absolutely the best!
  • "Thought exam was personal, deteilrd and fully explained. Staff were prompt, kind, snd professional. I’d recommend Dr. Durham’s clinic to anyone needing eye care."
    Thomas 3/10/19
  • "The staff was very polite and extremely patient with my condition. Very specific about my condition and caring to help me recover. We will have a long road to recovery together."
    Elizabeth 3/11/19
  • "Didn't have to wait. Very thorough eye exam."
    Sandy 3/7/19 - Great eye checkup
  • "My visit was more than I could of asked for. I told my friends about my visit to the future. Dr. Dunham was extremely knowledgeable, concerned and determined to get it right, Her staff seemed to respect her greatly. staff was trained very well and gave me the confidence they knew what they were doing.
    I have already told my friends about my visit to the future."
    Patricia 2/24/19 - Everything was perfect.
  • "My daughter and I have have had great experiences at Brier Creek Vision! Dr. N. Is fantastic!! The office staff is super friendly, accommodating and very pleasurable to work with. Eye glass frames are plentiful and the opticians are helpful, suggestive and patient! Thanks to everyone for making all of visits wonderful!!"
    Cynthia 2/14/19 – Great Experience
  • "Dr Nakagawara is open, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Karim Glover in the optical dispensary took great care in explaining and helping me to get great value on a new set of prescription sunglasses that will do much more than my previous set. Extremely happy.
    Loved the Optician!"
    Thomas 2/22/19 - Great Doctors and Team...
  • "I cannot tell you how happy I am with Brier Creek Vision. Everyone from the moment you enter, all the way through the appointment, is knowledgeable friendly and caring. I receive excellent and professional care. Highly recommend!"
    Helen 2/21/19 - Excellent care
  • "Went from 20/30 to 20/20! The sky is the limit with dr Patel. Will continue to bring both my kids here...."
    Temidayo 2/17/19 - Dr Patel Rocks!!!!
  • "I have had nothing but amazing experiences here! The entire staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. I have never walked away unsatisfied."
    Shelby 2/14/19 - Awesome!
  • "This office has all of the latest equipment and skills to take care of your eyes."
    Wales 2/6/19 - Great eye care!
  • "The atmosphere in the office is very pleasant and welcoming. I always feel comfortable in both the waiting room and the exam rooms. Selecting glasses is also a breeze, as the staff is extremely helpful and knowledgable."
    Kris 1/31/19 - Amazing Experience
  • "Our family visit was over the top. The entire staff took their time and made sure each and everyone's exam was through. No pressure to buy glasses. Our experience with Dr. Nakagawara was outstanding!!"
    Melissa 1/31/19 - Recommend
  • "I always have the best visit at Brier Creek Vision. My Doctor, Esther Nakagawara, is the best at what she does! She handles the procedures with care, caution and concern, explains well and has the best solutions to keep your eyes healthy. The staff is accommodating, patient and very kind to everyone; they never mind answering questions. The opticians are helpful in assisting with the selection of eyecare that looks good and works the best for you. I have told many people about my positive experiences at Brier Creek Vision and recommended this office as well."
    Kailah 1/30/19 - The Best in Eyeccare!!
  • "My family and I have been patients of Brier Creek Vision for 2 years. Dr. Nakagawara is a very caring and skilled OD who communicates, teaches and plans well. The staff and optometrists are inviting, knowledgeable and very helpful. We have recommended BCV to all our friends and family!"
    Cynthia 1/30/19 - Highly recommend
  • "I was thrilled to learn about the new Shaw lens concept to treat my daughter's amblyopia!"
    Molly 1/30/19 - Excellent Experience