January 8, 2020 – Booking an eye exam with an optometrist is a simple resolution that’s easy to keep and can help protect not only your vision, but your overall health and wellness too.
“Many people think of eye exams as a vision check to see if glasses or contact lenses are needed – but an eye exam is so much more,” says Dr. Joshua C. Smith, President of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO). “Through an eye exam your optometrist can detect signs of underlying health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer, before any obvious symptoms are showing. Because of these signs, your optometrist can sometimes detect these health concerns before your family doctor.”
Don’t wait for symptoms to be present before making an appointment with an optometrist. Some eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration only show symptoms when the condition is advanced, and difficult or impossible to treat. Vision loss from many of these conditions is permanent if left undetected and untreated.
“Don’t overlook how the health of your eyes and your vision contribute to your overall wellness. Your eye health is just as important as whole-body health,” says Dr. Smith. “In fact, something as simple as scheduling a comprehensive eye exam as part of your New Year’s resolution can go a long way for you and your entire family’s health.”
To find your local optometrist visit findaneyedoctor.ca.
ABOUT THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRISTS:
The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) is the leading professional organization, representing over 1,700 optometrists. We are dedicated to helping our members provide the highest standard of eye health and vision care for Ontarians while driving the profession of optometry forward. For more information: www.optom.on.ca.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brittany Blow
Ontario Association of Optometrists
905-826-3522 ext. 246
bblow@optom.on.ca