Why You Really Need an Eye Exam (Even If You Think You See Fine)

Think you don’t need an eye exam because you can see just fine? Think again.In this debut episode of Eye Got You, host Dr. Valarie Jerome breaks down why routine eye examinations are about so much more than updating your glasses prescription. Based in Newbury, UK, Dr Valarie—an optometrist recognized in the Top 100 UK Female Entrepreneurs 2021 and founder of Valarie Jerome Optometrists—walks you step by step through a typical exam. You’ll get the lowdown on everything from the dreaded air‑puff test and visual acuity charts to dilation drops and retina scans.Discover how eye exams can reveal early signs of serious conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and even brain tumors—often before you notice any symptoms. Plus, learn what to expect when you walk into your local optician’s: paperwork, medical history questions, dry‑eye checks, eye‑muscle tests, slit‑lamp exams, pupil dilation, and more.Dr Valarie also shares her “red flag” warning signs—like sudden vision loss, flashes or floaters, painful red eyes, or a veil over your vision—that require urgent attention. Whether you're a lifelong glasses wearer or you’ve never had an eye test, this episode is packed with real‑world advice, practical tips, and reassurance. No jargon, no hype—just honest, caring insight because your eyes matter, and so do you.Connect with Dr. Valarie JeromeLearn more about Dr Valarie’s work, community outreach, and professional services at drvalariejerome.com.Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/vjoptometrists/https://www.instagram.com/drvalariejerome/This podcast was recorded and prodcued by https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk