August is “National Eye Exam Month” and healthy vision starts with an eye exam. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that you have a baseline eye exam at age 40, the time when the early signs of disease or changes in your vision may occur. A baseline screening can help identify signs of eye disease at an early stage, when treatment can have the greatest impact on preserving your vision.
If you’re 65 or older, it’s recommended that you have your eyes checked every year or two for signs of age-related diseases, like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
During a dilated eye exam you’ll be checked for:
• Medical/family history
• Pupil reaction
• Side/peripheral vision
• Eye movement, muscle balance and coordination
• Focusing ability along with potential refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia) will be evaluated
• Check prescription of eye glasses against new refraction testing
• Eye pressure
• Front part of your eye
• Retina and optic nerve
An experienced ophthalmologists checks on the general health of your eye, tracking any disorder that might impair your vision (cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy).
The doctor may suggest additional testing to further evaluate your vision using specialized testing equipment. These tests can be crucial in diagnosing a disease in its early stages and give the doctor an opportunity to suggest a treatment or cure. We are strong advocates of prevention through early detection.
~ Courtesy Rand Eye Institute, https://www.randeye.com/national-eye-exam-month/