We hear this all the time. Patients tell us that they don’t think they need to come in for annual eye checkups. They have “great vision” they say, so why should we get our eyes checked every year?. We answer, “Good for you, but there’s more to eye health than good vision.”
There are multiple reasons why you should get your eyes checked even if you have 20/20 vision.
Value Of Comprehensive Eye Exams
A comprehensive eye exam is quite different from an eye screening. One is a simple check of your prescription to determine if you need glasses or if the prescription has changed. The other is a dilated and extensive eye exam. A typical comprehensive eye exam has several priorities:
- Determine the patient’s eye prescription
- Determine how a patient’s eyes work together as a team
- Determine if there are any indications of eye diseases or any other issue that impact a patient’s overall health
During a dilated exam, the doctor will be able to examine both your retina and your optic nerve. Their findings may indicate certain health issues. Diabetes is frequently diagnosed through a dilated eye exam even before the primary care doctor makes that diagnosis. A diabetic patient is highly susceptible to diabetic retinopathy a progressive eye disease that can steal your vision.
Some eye diseases have no obvious symptoms until your vision becomes damaged. Without a thorough dilated checkup patients may never know until it’s too late and their vision is compromised.
Glaucoma is one of the most insidious eye diseases. It progresses slowly with no pain and no symptoms until the patient has already lost vision. There is no cure, but it can be treated and managed. This disease can strike at any age, so an early diagnosis is key to preserving your vision.
Macular degeneration is usually associated with older adults. Also known as AMD, age-related macular degeneration causes loss of central vision.
Reduce Risks Of Vision Loss
Young adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every two years. If you are at risk for certain eye diseases or health issues, like a family history of glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, or macular degeneration, then it is recommended that you see your doctor more frequently.
After the age of 60 these exams should be at least annually.
The doctors at South Texas Eye Institute have the expertise and advanced equipment required to diagnose and treat all eye issues.
Time to get your eyes checked? Reduce the risks of vision loss.
