Why Are Routine Eye Exams So Important?

Routine eye exams determine more than just the need for prescription lenses or contacts. In fact, during a routine eye exam your ophthalmologist will check for common eye diseases that can be indicators of other problems that can affect your overall health. For example, an ophthalmologist can diagnose high blood pressure and diabetes just from looking at your eyes!

Who should get their eyes examined, and when?

Routine eye exams are important for children to make sure that their vision is developing at a healthy rate. Young children are less inclined to complain about vision problems, as they do not know what “normal” vision is like. It is time to take your child for an eye exam if he or she is having difficulties in school or asks to have his or her seat moved either closer to or farther from the blackboard.

Adults should have an annual eye exam to ensure that their current prescriptions are on point. Your ophthalmologist will also evaluate your eye pressure and check for common eye diseases.

What common eye diseases and conditions is the doctor looking for?

There are quite a few common eye diseases that patients are screened for during a routine eye exam:

1. Amblyopia is when one eye is much stronger than the other. Without treatment, this condition can cause permanent problems in the visual development of the weaker eye.
2. Refractive errors are near or farsightedness, or astigmatism. These conditions are commonly corrected through prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses.
3. Strabismus is the medical term for crossed eyes. Strabismus can eventually cause amblyopia and problems with depth perception.
4. Eye teaming problems. Even though eyes may be aligned, one may be working more efficiently than the other, which can cause headaches and problems focusing.
5. Focusing problems can be caused by many eye issues. Focusing may not be fully developed in children, and can decline with age in adults.
6. Eye diseases can be detected through an eye exam. For example, diabetes can cause tiny blood vessel leaks and swelling that can lead to vision loss. Other diseases your ophthalmologist is looking for include glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Early detection of eye disease is critical in preserving good vision, so make sure routine eye exams are part of your eye health routine.

Ophthalmologist in Westchester

To learn more about the importance of routine eye exams, contact us today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Stefano. Our offices are located in Winchester, serving Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. We can be reached at (540) 722-6200, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Source: http://www.seeclear.com/blog/eye-heath/why-are-routine-eye-exams-so-important

how to be an optometrist the optometrist