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When's the last time you had an eye exam?

By October 16, 2008 - 8:44am
 
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I recently had an eye exam and needed an updated prescription. I realized that because I hadn't (a) broken my eyeglasses or (b) changed my contact lens prescription, it had been more than five years since my last eye exam.

When I think about this, it's crazy. I would never go five years without a pap smear, or five years without a dental exam. I am very much a believer of the philosophy that the more information, the better; and that wellness care helps prevents illnesses and disease down the line. Yet here I was, wearing old glasses and using an old prescription and not being at all concerned about the amount of time passing.

When I think of how valuable my eyes are, I would have to say they are even more valuable than my teeth, for instance. Teeth can be replaced; eyes really cannot. And yet I cared for my teeth on a much more regular basis.

How long has it been since you had an eye exam?

If you're like me, you might have moved since your last exam, and it feels difficult to find a new eye doctor. Plus, you wonder if you can trust those places in the mall where the eye doctor is right next door to the eyeglass place.

Well, that's where I went, and I have to say that I had a young eye doctor who did an extremely thorough exam; the cost was fairly low; and the prescription is much better than my old one. And the glasses I got next door have updated frames that I like.

In retrospect, it seems silly. It was just something on the to-do list that I hadn't gotten around to because it wasn't an emergency. But I'm going to make a big effort to not have it happen again. Our eyes are too important to ignore them for as long as I did.

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oh my! it has been so long - maybe 10 or 15 years! Thanks for the question, I will be having a full physical in 3 months time and honestly, had you not mentioned this, I never would have thought of it!

Thanks!

October 17, 2008 - 2:49pm

You caught me! I haven't had my eyes checked in a couple of years, mostly because I didn't want to face the expense. Silly, considering we have a good vision plan. I just went back to wearing my prescription lenses after having worn OTC reading glasses because the latter makes my sight fuzzy after several hours of sitting in front of the computer at work. Not fun to drive with fuzzy vision!

My DH is far more diligent than I about having his eyes checked, as he has to wear trifocals. He recently learned that the lenses he had been wearing for the past two years had not been ground properly! It's amazing what a difference a different optometrist can make.

OK, thanks for the reminder. My DH also reminded me to have my eyes checked. Did you two talk? (wink)

October 16, 2008 - 4:25pm

Your story sounds familiar...I have been going to the eye doctor regularly (every-other year) to update my prescription, as well as have me eyes checked for diseases. Now that we've moved, I'm more concerned about finding a dentist than an eye doctor (this actually wasn't even on my rador, to be honest!). When we moved, I first found our son a pediatrician (started looking/interviewing even before we moved!). Then, I found an ob/gyn, so I didn't run out of birth control pills. I'd like to find a dentist, as I have some teeth/gum issues (nothing too bad; just want to keep on top of it). So, when it comes to the eye doctor, as you said, if everything is working fine, my prescription is still OK...there isn't much motivation to go. Plus, since we are self-insured, these "specialty" doctors don't come cheap.

Thanks for the reminder...I'll add this to my list...

October 16, 2008 - 12:21pm
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