The Importance of Routine Eye Exams for Preventative Care

When did you last receive a comprehensive eye exam? Did you know that routine eye exams enable you to prevent severe eye conditions?

Eye exams play an essential part in preventative care for our health. At times, individuals put off eye exams because they have clear vision, do not think eye exams are a priority or feel that an eye exam is a waste of money and time.

Even though you may have clear vision, optometrists recommend an eye exam once a year. Keeping a close tab on your eye health is the best way to ensure long-term vision.

Routine Eye Exams Can Find Vision Threatening Conditions

Healthy eyes are vital for maintaining clear vision and many conditions can threaten your vision if left untreated. Routine eye exams ensure that the optometrist detects any conditions early, which is imperative because most eye conditions do not present symptoms until too late. They can cause significant damage to your vision and even vision loss.

Experts say that it is possible to prevent around 50 percent of vision loss, and one of the best ways to do this is through routine eye exams. 

Eye Diseases Detectable in Eye Exams

Glaucoma

This eye condition occurs when there is an abnormal buildup of pressure inside the eye. There are two major types of Glaucoma—open-angle and angle-closure Glaucoma. Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve, causing permanent blindness. In addition, Glaucoma does not present any symptoms.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a condition of the eye where the eye’s lens becomes cloudy. Usually, cataracts set in with age and can begin to appear in your 40s. Cataracts cause blurry vision and typically need surgery to correct.

Macular Degeneration

This condition is usually related to aging. It gradually develops until your vision is significantly affected. It occurs when the cells in the part of the eye called the macula begin to deteriorate.

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a relatively rare condition to come by. It occurs when the cornea begins to thin and bulge. It can cause blurry vision, which can become hard to manage.

Cancer

Cancer may affect the eyes or the skin around the eyes. If it develops to advanced stages, it can cause vision loss or permanent damage to the eyes.

Routine Eye Exams Can Maintain Your Sight

Other than diseases, refractive eye errors can affect how you see. These are the most prevalent reasons people wear glasses and contacts. They occur mainly when the eye’s cornea fails to refract light correctly. The common refractive errors are:
 

• Myopia – Nearsightedness: Patients can see close objects clearly but have a problem with distance vision.
   

• Hyperopia – Farsightedness: Patients can see distant objects clearly, but up-close objects are blurry.
   

• Astigmatism - This results from an irregular cornea causing an object to seem blurry at all distances.

For more on the importance of routine eye exams for preventative care, visit iCare Vision Center LLC at our office in Seattle, Washington. You can call (206) 502-2800 to schedule an appointment today.