Save Your Vision with Regular Eye Exams | Workplace Eye Wellness & Save Your Vision Month

We all know that going to the doctor for a yearly physical and having routine dental check-ups are good for your health, which brings up the question: Is getting regular eye exams also good for your health?
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The short answer is: Yes! One of the best things you can do to protect your eyes, keep them functioning optimally, and perhaps even save your vision is to have regular eye exams based on your age, risk factors, and eye health.
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Why Are Yearly Eye Exams Vital?

While some people may think it’s either not necessary or safe to wait to see an eye doctor until they start to have vision problems, it’s important to know that certain eye diseases may not have symptoms at first. In the early stages of glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), for example, signs of changes in the eyes are not typically noticeable. Unfortunately, in those cases, many people don’t realize they have a serious eye disease until their vision starts to change, unless they see an eye doctor who can detect the changes early on in the disease’s progression.
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about half of the estimated 61 million people in the United States at high risk for eye diseases had an eye exam within the last year. Fortunately, as we indicated above, your eye doctor can detect many eye diseases before any noticeable symptoms are present. Early diagnosis through a routine, comprehensive eye exam and early treatment of eye conditions may prevent blindness or slow progression of eye disease.

What Can You Expect During a Routine Eye Exam?

A comprehensive eye exam is relatively simple. During an eye exam, your eye doctor will dilate your eyes, which helps to detect certain eye problems. For example, dilation of the eyes allows your doctor to examine your retina and check for conditions such as macular degeneration.
 
Your eye movement, visual sharpness, and depth perception are also evaluated. Your eye doctor evaluates your pupils to see how they respond to light. Your side vision is also checked. A loss of side vision can indicate a problem, such as glaucoma. It’s also important to have your cornea, lens, and iris examined. Changes may be a sign of an eye condition, such as cataracts.
 
The exam should also include the following:

• A medical history review: Depending upon your relationship with your eye doctor, he or she may ask questions about your medical history, whether you wear glasses, and your family history or any changes in your health or vision. Having certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, puts you at an increased risk of developing some eye conditions. It’s important to be open about your health with your eye doctor, answer your eye doctor’s question thoroughly, and be proactive about sharing health information, even if you think it might not be relevant.
• Ocular motility test: An ocular motility test evaluates your ocular muscle function, eye alignment, and eye movement. The test measures how well you can track objects slowly and how quickly your eyes can move in different directions.
• Visual acuity test: Most people are familiar with a visual acuity test. Your eye doctor will have you read an eye chart to assess how well you see at different distances. One eye may be checked at a time. 

• Eye pressure measurement: A test to measure your eye pressure is also part of a comprehensive eye exam. The test involves using a special device called a tonometer, which gently touches the eye to measure the pressure. Measuring eye pressure is important since high pressure can be a sign of glaucoma.   

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When Should You have Your Eyes Checked?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, adults should have a comprehensive eye exam by age 40. A baseline eye exam at age 40 helps to diagnosis signs of eye diseases when they are at an early stage.
 
But there may also be instances when an eye exam should be performed before age 40. For example, if you have a family history of eye disease or if you have other risk factors, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, you should see your eye doctor before 40.
 
Once you have a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor will let you know how often you should have follow-up exams. Several factors determine how often you should schedule an eye exam, such as your age, risk factors for developing eye diseases, and your overall health.
 
We recommend that adults over the age of 50 have an eye exam every year. That’s because, as we age, we are at an increased risk of eye diseases and vision changes.
 
There are also other instances when you should see an eye doctor for an exam regardless of your age. Visit your eye doctor if you develop any of the symptoms below:

• Sudden appearance of floaters or flashes of light
• Eye pain
• Loss of vision
• Signs of an eye infection, such as discharge, redness, or swelling of the eyelids
• Frequent headaches

• Blurred or double vision

 
Getting regular eye exams as recommended by your eye doctor is vital for your eye health. Don’t ignore signs that may indicate an eye problem. Remember, diagnosing vision problems early may save your sight.
 
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an eye exam with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600. Our optometrists, who specialize in comprehensive eye care and routine eye exams, will examine your eyes, discuss your eye health and vision, and, if needed, recommend you to one of our ophthalmologists, our medical doctors who specialize in your particular eye conditions and their treatments.
 
To learn more about eye examinations and schedules, please visit our Routine Eye Examinations for Adults webpage.
 
Please check back for our next post on “Protecting Your Vision with Healthy Lifestyle Choices” as we continue with Workplace Eye Wellness Month and Save Your Vision Month. Thanks for reading!