The Long Term Benefits of Continuity of Care in Eye Health
Continuity of Eye Care: Why Sticking with One Optometrist is a Vision-Saver
You’re, busy, I understand. There’s a hundred and one things on your mind and it is so easy just to opt for easiest options, even if, deep down, you know they are not the best ones for you. When it comes to eye care there are so many reasons why it is important to find the right optometrist and to stick with them. I thought it may be helpful to outline a few here.
Getting To Know Your Eyes and Visual System Over Time
An eye is not just an eye, it is individual. There are many “systems” involving your eyes which need to be assessed during an eye examination. Of course, there is clarity of vision and whether glasses are needed to get your vision at its best. We also need to ensure that the eyes themselves are healthy as early detection of eye disease is often vital to help effective treatment. We need to consider the binocular vision status – are the eyes working together effectively, is there strain on the binocular system? Then there is the neurological aspect; your eyes are very closely connected to the brain and the peripheral nervous system. And the body’s cardiovascular system. And more!
These are all taken into account at every visit and a picture of your overall health, as well as your ocular health, develops over time.
This means that if anything starts to go wrong, your long-term optometrist will be best placed to compare back through their records. They will get a better picture of what is developing enabling better decisions on management.
Here is a good website with more information on what is examined during an eye test
Tailored Advice for Your Lifestyle
An optometrist who has got to know you over the years will be better placed to offer tailored advice on the best solutions for you. You wouldn’t expect one pair of shoes to be suitable for everything and it is the same for glasses. If you are a swimmer, a skier, a cyclist or screen user then all will have different needs and solutions. As we get to know you better, we can recommend what is best for you rather than generic products.
Simpler, Smoother Appointments
If you are seeing the same optometrist each time, they will have their own notes to look back upon. These will contain your preferences and anything you are uncomfortable with which should be avoided such as the “puff test” for pressures (there are other methods of measuring this.) Medication and pre-existing medical and family histories are already recorded so you don’t have to go back through them all each time. This allows for a more personalized examination.
A Trusted Partner in Eye Care
At Bellamy Eyecare, we believe eye care should be as personal as it is professional. A familiar face at your appointments means someone who’s invested in your long-term well-being—someone who celebrates the small victories, like finding the perfect pair of glasses, and stands by you through the challenges.
So, the next time you’re tempted to skip an eye test or try a new provider for convenience, remember: continuity of care is more than just a good habit. It’s a vision-saver that keeps your eyes—and your health—in the best possible shape.
Ready for your next check-up? Book with us today and let’s keep your eyes healthy, happy, and thriving.
Our Eyeplan Scheme makes long term eye care affordable.