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Imagine scrolling on your phone or reading a book, when suddenly the words start to blur. Perhaps you've been experiencing headaches or eye strain recently. These subtle signs could indicate that it's time for an eye check-up, and like regular visits to your doctor for health screenings, routine eye exams are just as crucial for your overall well-being. As the Canadian Association of Optometrists states, "Think of a comprehensive eye exam as a physical for your eyes. It is an important part of preventive health care..," seeing an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year is recommended.
Essentially, a comprehensive eye examination is ideal and it consists of several parts. During the initial stages of the process, the optometrist or ophthalmologist will review the patient’s ocular and medical history, inquiring about any past or present eye problems requiring treatment, systemic health problems, medications, allergies, visual demands, and occupation. This is followed by an assessment of the patient's visual acuity, as loss of visual acuity may be a symptom of adverse systemic health problems or vision-threatening conditions.
Then, several tests will be performed according to the patient's symptoms or situation and the doctor's concern. For example, during the evaluation of visual acuity, the doctor assesses how well the patient sees at various distances by using a standard eye chart placed at a distance of 20 feet. This test evaluates central vision competence, meaning how well someone can see objects that are directly in front of them, which is important for tasks like reading and recognizing faces. If the patient’s sight is considered normal, the doctor will assess the patient’s vision through their own glasses or contact lenses to check if there is a need for any correction, such as glasses or contact lenses, to optimize your vision to its best possible level. For patients over the age of 40, near vision testing may also be conducted, as reading and other close-up looking tasks often require the use of reading glasses due to presbyopia. Following this, there are still a variety of examinations that an optometrist will conduct to assess the eyes, ranging from simple tests taking seconds to more complex and time-consuming ones.
Additionally, as mentioned previously, regular eye examinations are important, and for 3 main reasons, which are to detect eye conditions, prevent damage caused by eye diseases, and provide health professionals with the opportunity for quick interventions and better treatment outcomes. For example, serious eye illnesses such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy can have devastating effects, such as the loss of vision, if left untreated. In fact, these conditions may not display noticeable symptoms in their early stages, so people may not be aware if they were present. Hence, regularly scheduling for eye exams are critical, as they allow eye care professionals to identify and provide a treatment for the presence of eye conditions before they further develop.
In conclusion, regular eye exams are essential for maintaining good vision and eye health. With comprehensive and regular eye exams, there is a higher chance of successful intervention and prevention of afflictions which may cause damage to the eyes. Just as you would prioritize regular check-ups to maintain a healthy body, be sure to schedule routine eye exams to protect and maintain healthy eyes for years to come.
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