Your optometrist is an important healthcare team member. They provide advice to protect and enhance your vision. Unfortunately, some patients don't follow the advice of their optometrist and experience a range of consequences. Here are some problems you could experience if you don't listen to your optometrist's advice.

Worsening Vision

It is not a myth that your vision can worsen when not addressed. According to Science Direct, only 50% of the 1,540 patients in a study kept up with using the corrective lenses they were prescribed. If you chronically don't wear your prescriptive lenses, your vision can worsen with time. Additionally, you may experience more eye strain, headaches, and misinterpretations of visual stimuli.

Cataracts

The eye condition known as cataracts is prevalent in aging patients. Your optometrist will likely advise that you have a cataract removed, as it could make your vision spotty or cloudy. If you don't follow the advice, your vision may become compromised. There is an increased fall risk for older adults with compromised vision.

Cataract removal is a simple and common procedure. Removal is not something optometrists do, but they are usually the first eye health provider to notice the problem. Early intervention often yields the best possible results. It is important that you follow their advice and follow through with referrals.

Dryness and Eye Infections

If your doctor prescribes eye drops for your dry eyes or a topical eye infection, follow the directions carefully to get the appropriate results. Failing to use the medicated drops to treat an infection as prescribed can increase the problem.

Dry eyes are a common occurrence for different reasons, and many treatment options exist to combat it. The same is true of eye infections, as each type of infection responds to a different treatment. An eye care professional is one of the best resources for dealing with these problems. Of course, the treatment is only as effective as the patient's discipline in administering it to themselves.

Optometrists are specialists in eye care. The patient must participate in the treatment plan if they provide advice, suggest medication, or identify an issue with their current corrective lenses. Not listening to the optometrist's advice can lead to unexpected consequences and vision complications. Get on the right track with your eye health by making a vision exam appointment at Jeffries Eye Care today. We look forward to seeing you.