Importance of Regular Eye Exams and Checking for Glaucoma and Cataracts

Routine eye care and eye exams are important to keep your eyes healthy. Many eye conditions, like glaucoma, do not have any outward symptoms identifying a problem until you notice a loss of vision. It may be too late to treat the eye condition or eye disease by the time you notice your vision failing. An ophthalmologist will notice the early signs of any conditions and diseases that may be developing long before they become an issue.

It is good practice to visit an ophthalmologist every two years for an exam. The eye exam will consist of vision tests to determine your prescription and if anything has changed in your vision. Your ophthalmologist will also conduct tests to discover if you have any developing eye conditions or diseases.

An ophthalmologist is able to diagnose and treat problems with the eyes as well as give prescriptions and correct your vision. Treatments to correct your vision include glasses, contacts, and Laser Vision Correction. Because an ophthalmologist is a physician, he or she can perform LASIK and other refractive surgery procedures such as PRK.

If you are interested in correcting your vision with Laser Vision Correction, it is very important to have an eye exam to determine if you are a candidate for the procedure. The Laser Vision Correction procedure that is right for you will depend on your unique vision correction needs and eye conditions. Any eye diseases you may have must be treated before some Laser Vision Correction procedures can be performed.

About Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optical nerve. The early stages of glaucoma are unnoticeable and can only be seen by an ophthalmologist during an eye exam. Glaucoma develops when the fluid in the eye that delivers nutrients to the various parts of the eye does not drain properly or at all. The increased amount of fluid in the eye builds pressure that gradually damages the optic nerve.

Patients with glaucoma who do not have regular eye exams notice there is a problem when their vision starts to become blurry. If gone untreated, glaucoma can permanently damage your vision. Your ophthalmologist will catch the early stages of glaucoma during your eye exams and will provide you with the necessary treatment to avoid damage to your vision.

About Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the crystalline lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Light is able to pass through the crystalline lens because the lens is clear. The clouding of the lens caused by cataracts prevents light from passing through the lens. This results in hazy or blurred vision.

During your routine eye exams, your ophthalmologist will notice if you are developing cataracts and schedule exams to monitor their progress. Not all cataracts get to the point where surgery is required to improve treatment. Through routine eye exams, your ophthalmologist will inform you of any eye conditions and diseases that are developing and when you need treatment.

To keep your eyes healthy, please contact us so we can help you locate an ophthalmologist in your area.