Health & Fitness
Eye Matters: The Importance of an Eye Exam
Niki Silverstein, MD, Board-Certified Ophthalmologist of Silverstein Eye in Chester, explains why everyone needs an eye exam.
Why is an eye exam needed?
It is of utmost importance to know what to do to keep your eyes healthy and seeing well. First and foremost in good eye care is getting a regular eye examination. As an ophthalmologist, when I give you an eye exam it is more than testing your visual acuity (how well you can see) but also looking at the general health of your eyes. The eyes are the window to the body.
There are some generalized diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure that can be detected which can affect both one's general and eye health; also many eye diseases have no symptoms at all until advanced and irreversible such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Brain tumors and other neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis are often initially diagnosed by an ophthalmologist.
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How often should you have your eyes examined?
If you have a family history of blindness, glaucoma, macular degeneration or other eye diseases or, if you have an existing eye condition, you should have your eyes checked at least once a year or more if you doctor has told you to do so. Also, if you wear corrective spectacles or contact lenses you should have one annually as well. Healthy adults should be checked every one to two years and once a year after age 60.
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Children's eyes should be looked at at 6 months and 3 years of age, then again before the onset of school. If there is any noticeable problem, like you think the child can't see well, the eyes do not focus straight or wander, please see your physician as soon as possible. Many eye issues in children can be corrected while they are young.
A thorough exam by a licensed eyecare professional will decide if you need any type of corrective lenses or other treatment to help you see your best. Other impediments to good vision, like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other problems can also be detected, and if so, treatment can start in order to maintain the best possible vision and best general health for the rest of your life.
