Even People with Excellent Vision need Eye Exams

Published on November 13. 2019 ​​​​​​​

If you are fortunate, you may be able to go through life without ever needing to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision. However, the quality of your vision is just one aspect of having healthy eyes that function efficiently. Many people don’t realize – at least until it is too late – that any sort of eye disease could potentially put their vision at risk, and some types of damage are irreversible. Fortunately, eye exams aren’t only for occasions when you notice that there is something wrong with your vision.
 

The importance of comprehensive eye exams

Comprehensive eye exams are strongly recommended for patients of all ages, even those with excellent vision. This is because an eye exam gives your eye doctor the opportunity to assess the health of your eyes on a fairly regular basis. This is important because many eye diseases don’t present any symptoms in the early stages, meaning that they can be easily overlooked. Like all other medical issues, early detection and diagnosis, followed by the correct treatment are crucial if you are to protect your long-term vision.

Comprehensive eye exams can also be used to detect systemic health conditions. Five of the most common health problems that eye exams can detect include:

Diabetes. This is because diabetes affects the capillaries in your retina, causing them to leak fluid or bleed. This condition is known as diabetic retinopathy and is a complication associated with having diabetes. Without treatment, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.

High blood pressure. Patients who suffer from high blood pressure will find that the blood vessels in their eyes will be affected and may appear bent or torn. High blood pressure can be detected by visualizing the eye blood vessels that service the retina and optic nerve.

High cholesterol. High cholesterol is characterized by having too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. It can have serious consequences for your health. If your corneas look a little yellow, or your eye doctor spots plaques in the blood vessels of the eyes, you could be suffering from high cholesterol.

Rheumatoid arthritis. There are several different types of arthritis, but rheumatoid arthritis can be detected during a routine eye exam. This is because dry eyes and inflammation of the irises are indicative of the condition.

Some types of cancer. It may surprise you to know that many different types of cancer can be detected during a routine eye exam. Brain tumors can often be diagnosed based at least partially on vision changes, whilst your eyes can also indicate both leukemia and skin cancers. As we know, the earlier cancer is detected and treated, the more likely you are to be able to successfully recover from the disease.
 

The importance of comprehensive eye exams for kids

Healthy eyes and clear vision are just as important for children as it is for adults. Your child is growing and learning about the world around them, and their vision plays an essential role in this development. Your child will need to rely on their vision to help them make decisions, interact with people and keep them safe. They will also need to have healthy eyes and great visual acuity if they are to access their learning and achieve their full potential at school. Annual comprehensive eye exams are recommended for all children between 1^st grade and leaving school.
 

How often should I have a comprehensive eye exam?

If you are fortunate enough to not have a refractive eye error that means that you need glasses or contact lenses, one eye exam every two years is recommended unless you begin to experience any concerning symptoms. In this case, you should arrange to be seen as soon as possible.

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you will need your eyes checked a little more frequently. You should attend appointments in line with the recommendation made by your eye doctor.
 

For more information on the importance of eye exams, even for people with excellent vision, please get in touch with our expert family eye care team today.