Your Visual Health

In today’s health conscious society we are all concerned with trying to keep as physically fit as possible. With that in mind, many people join gyms, exercise groups, or find some other methods of trying to stay physically healthy. That is certainly commendable and absolutely necessary.

However, there are other areas of our body that should not be neglected when it comes to preventative maintenance. In this instance, I am referring to the family’s eye health. Without healthy sight our lives would be affected tremendously. Just think about it, the majority of the things we do are somehow dependent on our sight. The good thing about it is that family eye health is easily monitored. Even if a problem is found, early diagnosis can mean the difference between saving or not saving your sight.

Eye examinations should begin in early childhood. There your child’s pediatrician checks for obvious problems such as an eye that does not focus properly (lazy eye) or crossed eyes. Of course, children under five are not always accommodating when it comes to this type of exam. The doctor will be able to determine when a more thorough exam is necessary.

When To Have Eye Exams

Infants to Toddlers - The examination frequency should be determined by the child’s physician.

5 years old to Teens - Every two years unless there is a diagnosed problem or family history. If that is the case, your child may need to be re-examined every year depending on what the doctor instructs.

Adults - It depends on whether there is a diagnosed problem or family history of eye problems. If not, periodic eye exams are recommended until middle age (40+) when every two years is best. Once you
are over sixty an exam each year is suggested.

Conditions That Can Affect Vision

Hypertension - Elevated blood pressure in the body
Diabetes - Problem with insulin levels in the body
Glaucoma - Elevated pressure within the eyes that can lead to a loss of peripheral vision and blindness
Cataracts - Clouding of the lens of the eye that usually comes with age.
Myopia - Near-sighted (sees better at close range).
Hyperopia - Far-sighted (sees better at a distance)
Presbyopia - Problems focusing from distance to near which usually comes with aging.

Eye Care Providers

Ophthalmologist - An eye doctor who not only performs eye exams and fits glasses and contacts, but also performs surgery.

Optometrist - An eye doctor, who performs eye exams, fits glasses and contacts, and in some instances, can diagnose and treat some eye problems with prescribed medication.

Opticians - Experts who fit eyeglasses and contacts. Many of them also assemble the eyeglasses based on your prescription from an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist.

Keep in mind that you should be prepared when you go for your eye exam. The doctor will need a complete history on you prior to testing. Let him or her know if you are having any problems with your vision, if you wear glasses now or in the past, or if there is a family history of eye problems. If you have a medical problem that could lead to problems with your eyes, let the doctor know this. Also, take along any medications.

What Takes Place in an Eye Exam

Examination of the external parts of the eyes.
Testing of the eye muscles to assure they are functioning properly.
A procedure to determine how well you see at varied distances is called an acuity test. If you’ve heard the term 20/20 it is determined by this test.
A test called refraction helps to determine if a prescription is necessary to correct any visual problem your doctor might find.

A visual field exam tests your peripheral vision.
A glaucoma check to assure the pressures inside of the eyes is not elevated. A thorough exam of the inside of your eye with an instrument called a slit lamp checks for imperfections or infections in the cornea, lens, iris, etc. The doctor uses an instrument called an ophthalmascope to focus on the back of the eye.

As a person ages, the eyes also age. That’s when regular eye exams are especially beneficial. Examinations usually are not very long and are well worth it to protect your family’s vision. Pricing varies depending on the type of exam you are looking for (glasses, contacts, eye injury, etc.), and sometimes on the type of eye care provider (Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, Optician). Choose wisely, ask friends for referrals. I’m sure you’ll agree that visual health is important.

Contact Info:

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