Here's Why Comprehensive Eye Exams Are Critical For Adults

Has it been awhile since you’ve had an eye exam? You likely remember to schedule your annual physical exams, but if you haven’t had eye problems, you may not realize how critical periodic eye exams are for your vision health.

Our board-certified ophthalmologists with Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, provide comprehensive eye exams that protect your vision. Did you know that some eye diseases cause no symptoms in the early stages? Once you do have symptoms, it may be too late to reverse some vision problems.

The following eye diseases can cause vision loss or even blindness when not treated early enough or are left untreated.

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the number one cause of blindness in American adults. The disease damages small blood vessels in your retina, causing blurred vision and blindness. Having diabetic retinopathy also places you at increased risk of other eye diseases – namely, glaucoma and cataracts.

Diabetic retinopathy is preventable in 90% of diabetic patients when diagnosed and treated in the early stages. The primary cause is high blood sugar levels. Seeing signs of diabetic retinopathy gives you another crucial reason to make lifestyle changes to lower your blood sugar levels.

Without regular eye exams, you could mistake early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy as unimportant. You might experience some floaters — tiny black spots or squiggly lines in your vision. You may have trouble seeing the road at night, which you may think is due to normal aging. Your vision might blur but then return to normal, or you might have eye pain, but it resolves. These signs are reasons to get an eye exam to rule out an eye disease that can lead to vision loss.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can lead to blindness from damaging your optic nerve. When you have glaucoma, fluid doesn’t drain from your eye.

The fluid in your eye increases gradually, putting pressure on the optic nerve. Because the buildup is gradual, you may have no symptoms in the early stage of this eye disease. You may develop tiny blind spots that aren’t noticeable initially, especially in your peripheral or side vision.

Optic nerve damage is permanent; the damaged cells can’t regenerate. If your Wolchok physician sees signs of glaucoma, prescription eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery can help prevent vision loss.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) means damage in your macula, which controls your central vision or what you see straight ahead. The tissue in the macula begins to break down as you age. As the disease progresses, your central vision starts to blur. Your risk compounds if you smoke and have cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol.

AMD has two forms: dry and wet. Most people have dry AMD, a slow or quick-developing condition. Dry AMD has no symptoms in the early stage and may not have symptoms even in the intermediate stage.

AMD doesn’t cause total blindness as it progresses but can significantly impair your vision, making it challenging to complete daily tasks. You may not be able to pass a driving test.

If you have dry AMD at the intermediate stage, your Wolchok physician prescribes high doses of antioxidant vitamins that help slow the progression of the disease. Drugs are also available for wet AMD.

Cataracts

Cataracts begin when the protein in the lens of your eye starts to form clumps. They often develop very slowly over several years, so you don’t notice changes in your vision.

Some common cataract symptoms include cloudy, blurry vision, trouble seeing at night, seeing circles or halos around lights, and having to change your glasses prescription frequently.

The only treatment for cataracts is removal. Your Wolchok physician performs cataract surgery when your eyes start bothering you. Waiting too long to remove cataracts increases the risk of complications.

You can request an eye exam appointment today by calling Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, or using our online portal.