Many eye diseases develop slowly and don’t cause noticeable symptoms at first. By the time vision changes occur, the condition may already be more advanced.

Regular, dilated eye exams can help detect problems like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease early—when treatment is often most effective. Even if your vision seems fine, routine checkups are an important part of preventive care.

“The biggest risk with many eye diseases is that you won’t notice them early,” says Rothchild. “That’s why routine exams are so important.”