Understanding the Benefits of Regular Eye Exams
When it's with the family doctor, internist, or ob-gyn
, preventive regular checkups are commonplace. Unfortunately, visits to an eye doctor generally don't occur until our eyes experience problems. Our vision becomes blurry. Words aren't as crisp and clear. Infection or pain is noticed. A periodic examination with an eye doctor, such as an optician who is licensed or certified to fit and dispense corrective eyewear, optometrist who examines and also diagnoses and treats eye disorders, or an ophthalmologist a medical doctor who is qualified to perform eye surgeries -- is an important part of preventive health care.
According to the American Optometric Association, children should have their first eye examination when they turn six months old. Thereafter at age three, when they start school, and every two years thereafter. Adults aged 20-39 should have their eyes examined every 3-5 years. Adults aged 40-64 should be examined every 2-4 years, while seniors 65 and older should see an eye doctor every 1-2 years. People with special risks, such as diabetes, lupus, or muscular degeneration, who have a family history of glaucoma, or who take prescription or non-prescription drugs that have visual or eye-related side effects, may need more frequent eye examinations. If your child is born prematurely or has low birth weight, discuss with your pediatrician how early an eye examination is needed and feasible. Lastly, if you work a visually demanding job, or one that poses hazards to the eyes, even if you take precautions to keep your eyes strain-free and safe, seeing an eye doctor often can prevent problems from arising. It is beneficial to have regular eye exams for four reasons.
Eye exams can keep you in near perfect vision
During an eye examination, the eye doctor uses an eye test to determine how sharply and clearly you see. The smallest letters you are able to read on the eye test identifies your visual acuity. Normal vision is 20/20. If you have 20/20 vision, this means, standing 20 feet away you see an image as sharp and clear as a person with normal vision, standing 20 feet away from the same image. If your visual acuity is 20/40, you can see at 20 feet what a normal vision person can see at 40 feet. If you need to bring your vision back to or close to normal range, the doctor will generally prescribe reading glasses, eye glasses, and/or contacts. Vision-challenged patients also consider laser surgery to return their eyesight back to, or close to, 20/20 so they no longer need glasses or contact lenses.
Eye exams increase the possibility eye diseases are detected
Having family members with a history of certain eye problems, or subjecting your eyes to visual strain or dangerous situations, increase the opportunity for eye damage. At an eye examination, the eye doctor also will review your family's medical history, as well as inquire regarding your personal history. Last, the eye doctor will perform certain tests to determine the coordination of your eye muscles, the accuracy of your peripheral vision, how well you detect color, and the healthiness of your eye and eyelid. Analyzing your answers and test results, an eye doctor can detect eye problems early, then advise and suggest treatment on how to maintain and improve your eye health.
Eye exams offer the opportunity to improve other health issues
Diseases such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and lupus affect the healthiness of your eyes. Informing your eye doctor that you suffer from any of these ailments, allows the doctor to formulate the best treatment for preserving your eyesight. More importantly, since some eye diseases, such as glaucoma and certain types of diabetes, show no symptoms until their later stages when treatment is more difficult and the problem is harder to manage, an eye examination can disclose their presence. Receiving early detection can slow down or even reverse the progression of a health issue, and any related eye problems.
Eye exams give reassurance
Combined, each of our five senses sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste gives us the ultimate ability to navigate and experience life. Though, touch, smell, and taste are secondary to both sight and hearing, most people feel having sight, outweighs being able to hear. So when problems with our eyesight occur, we worry. Often needlessly. An eye examination puts unfounded fears to rest. If eye problems are detected, an honest conversation with the eye doctor on the next steps' reduces trepidation, and gives us reassurance.
When vision is challenged, life can become frustrating and scary. Left untreated, there is a risk of disability, suffering, and loss of productivity. Identifying and diagnosing eye and vision problems early through an eye examination increase the chances any problems will have little to no effect on your vision. Additionally, an eye examination may detect other systemic (entire body) diseases which can be treated or managed successfully. Regular eye car, including an eye examination, is an important part of our health care. When it comes to our eyes, the benefits of taking care of our vision, beginning with eye care examinations, is priceless.
Understanding the Benefits of Regular Eye Exams
By: Joanna Gomez
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