When it comes to maintaining good health, regular eye exams are often overlooked. Many people wait until they experience vision problems before visiting an optometrist. However, comprehensive eye exams are crucial not just for ensuring optimal vision but also for maintaining overall health.
Understanding the Eye Exam: More Than Just Vision Testing
An eye exam involves a series of tests to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. At Modern Spectacle in Lakewood, we will use modern technology as well as tried and true ophthalmic instruments to evaluate different aspects of your vision and eye health.
Why Regular Eye Exams are Vital
- Early Detection of Eye Diseases: Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, have no early warning signs. Regular eye exams are the best way to detect and treat these conditions early on.
- Updating Prescriptions: Your vision can change over time, necessitating adjustments in your glasses or contact lens prescriptions.
- Identifying Other Health Issues: Eye exams can reveal signs of systemic health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and even cancer.
The Recommended Frequency of Eye Exams
The frequency of eye exams can vary based on age, health, and risk of developing eye problems:
- Children (birth – 17): The first eye exam should be at 6-12 months, at least once between the age of 3-5, and again before starting 1st grade. School-aged children should have their eyes examined once a year.
- Adults (18-64): Adults should have their eyes examined at least every two years. However, if you use eyeglasses, contact lenses, have systemic disease with potential ocular manifestations, and/or a family history of eye disease, annual exams are recommended. However, new AOA (American Optometric Association) guidelines released in 2023 recommend annual eye exams for adults starting at age 18 due in part to provide for the earlier detection of sight-threatening eye and systemic health conditions.
- Seniors (65+): Individuals over the age of 65 should have annual eye exams.
What Happens During an Eye Exam?
An eye exam typically involves the following:
- Patient History: Understanding your current health, medications, work environment, and any symptoms you’re experiencing.
- Vision Tests: Assessing how clearly each eye is seeing by using a wall chart, reading chart, and a phoropter.
- Preliminary Tests: Checking eye alignment, color vision, eye muscle movements, peripheral vision, and how pupils respond to light.
- Eye Health Evaluation: Inspecting the external and internal parts of the eyes.
Tips for a Successful Eye Exam
- Bring your current eyeglasses and/or contact lens prescription.
- Bring a list of medications and supplements you’re currently taking.
- Be aware of your family’s eye health history.
- Discuss any vision problems or concerns you have.