Eye Exams

According to a March ‘08 survey by the National Eye Institute (NEI), most Americans are not aware of the many health risks that impede vision.  Having an eye exam is especially important if there is a family history of: flashes or floaters, glaucoma, diabetes and/or macular degeneration; since, these conditions may be hereditary.

For everyone...including vision correction patients, clear vision DOESN'T mean one has healthy eyes.  Many eye diseases have NO outward visual symptoms until the condition is advanced. Importantly, most eye diseases and conditions are treatable if detected early and receive proper care. 

Eye exams are crucial at every age.  We recommend that children have a comprehensive eye exam prior to starting kindergarten or earlier if there are signs of a possible problem.  For all others, eye exams are recommended every one or two years, or earlier if an eye condition is present.

Why should you have your eyes dilated during an eye exam?
Stephen D. Cyford, O.D.
Having good vision does not always equal having healthy eyes.  As you now know, there are numerous eye diseases one can have even though ones vision is excellent (20/20). These diseases however can sometimes rob good vision prematurely if not detected early by a complete dilated eye exam.

Having your eyes dilated is a must to examine critical eye structures such as the lens of the eye (i.e. cataracts), retina, macula, optic nerve, and important blood vessels. These structures cannot be examined completely if your eyes are not dilated, therefore, the eye doctor cannot give a complete assessment of the health of your eyes.  I recommend having your eyes dilated every 2 years once they are determined to be healthy and you are younger than age 60. Your eyes should be dilated more often if you are older than age 60, a potential problem has been diagnosed, or you are found to be at an increased risk for eye disease.

What symptoms warrant an urgent visit to the eye doctor?
Jeanette Bonsack, O.D.

If you feel that you have gotten a foreign object in your eye, even a small one, it needs to be removed as soon as possible. Especially troubling are particles of metal and rust, as well as glass and fiberglass. In some cases they can be adherent to the front surface of the eye, and in others they can be hiding under the eyelid.

Any sudden loss of vision, whether transient or persistent, may indicate an underlying condition. This could include an impending stroke or a neurological problem. It could be a sign of a retinal detachment or even a migraine syndrome.

Flashes of light and/or floaters (black spots) can point to a problem in the retina, the back lining of the eyeball. A veil or curtain over all or part of the vision in one eye can be a retinal detachment, which can be repaired and sight restored if diagnosed soon enough.