Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Annual Eye Exam
It’s estimated that only 54% of all Americans schedule a comprehensive annual eye exam. If you don’t have vision problems or eye discomfort, it’s easy to skip a trip to your eye doctor. “What’s the big deal? , ” you might be thinking. “I don’t need an eye exam. I can see fine.” While that may be true now, we want that to be the case for years to come.
Scheduling an annual eye exam is the most important thing you can do to prevent vision loss. The majority of eye diseases are asymptomatic until they reach the later stages. It’s at this point that they become serious, threatening your vision. Eye exams help evaluate your eye health and ensure you ensure you receive treatment before it’s too late before it’s too late.
What to Expect During Your Annual Eye Exam
During your annual eye exam , your ophthalmologist will:
During your annual eye exam, your ophthalmologist will:
- Ask about your family’s medical history and assess your vision and overall health.
- Evaluate your visual acuity with a standardized eye chart.
- Inspect your pupils to see how they respond to a light stimulus.
- Assess your peripheral (side) vision . .
- Test your eye movement to evaluate your eyes’ alignment and muscle function.
- Measure the pressure within your eye ( intraocular eye pressure , or IOP) . .
- Examine the front part of your eye — eyelids, cornea, iris, and lens — to rule out abnormalities.
- Examine the back part of your eye — retina and optic nerve — to rule out or diagnose other eye diseases.
- Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, or both if needed.
- Discuss other recommended treatment options like LASIK and other surgical procedures.
Comprehensive Eye Exams vs . Vision Screenings
Keep in mind that a comprehensive eye exam isn’t the same as a vision screening.
Comprehensive eye exams
include the above tests performed by a licensed practitioner.
Vision screenings
are visual acuity tests like what you got in school.
We recommend that you schedule a comprehensive eye exam once a year. This is especially the case if you’re diabetic, over age 40, or both. This will provide you with a more thorough evaluation.
The Purpose of Scheduling Yearly Eye Exams
Yearly eye exams prevent, detect, and treat problems and discomfort before they start. However, you should make an eye doctor appointment right away if you experience:
- Eye pain, swelling, or discharge
- Blurry or double-vision
- Dark or bright spots
- Flashes of light and floaters
- Halos or rainbows around light
- Light sensitivity
If you don’t already have an ophthalmologist you know and trust, we would love to meet you. At Baptist Eye Surgeons, we’re dedicated to providing you with high -quality eye care. Meet our doctors to learn more about the eye diseases and disorders we treat.
What Ophthalmologists Check for During Comprehensive Eye Exams
Comprehensive eye exams aid in detecting and managing various eye conditions. This includes:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinal detachment
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Keratoconus
These e ye exams identify early signs of these conditions using specialized tests and evaluations. For instance, they can measure intraocular pressure, aiding in the diagnosis of glaucoma. Dilated eye exams enable visualization of the optic nerve and retina. This is crucial for detecting conditions like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
Additionally, comprehensive exams assess:
- Visual acuity
- Color vision
- Peripheral vision
These tests are essential for identifying abnormalities in your eye health in your eye health . Early detection facilitates prompt management strategies , helping. This helps , helping preserve your your vision and lower the risk of permanent visual impairment. They’re also essential for preventing blindness. This makes exams fundamental for eye health and ensuringe ensures early intervention when necessary.
Do you need a comprehensive eye exam in Knoxville, Morristown, or Sevierville , TN , TN ? Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
Annual eye exams are vital for maintaining good vision and catching issues early. While you may be tempted toManyWhile you may be tempted to neglect preventative preventative check-ups since many eye diseases don’t show symptoms until advanced stages,., yYyearly exams help preserve your vision by detecting conditions early for treatment.
Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, Morristown, TN, and Sevierville, TN. Call us at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment .
*This blog was originally published in August 2017. It has been updated for new information and clarity.
