Eye Disease Diagnosis Management

THE IMPORTANCE OF EYE EXAMS

The American Optometric Association recommends that most adults have a comprehensive eye examination every 1–2 years, depending on their age and risk factors. This serves as a minimum recommendation. Your optometrist takes your personal health and risk levels into account when advising you on exam frequency.

One of the primary reasons there is such a heavy emphasis on frequent eye exams is because of how many eye diseases can develop without obvious visual symptoms. Some are age-related, like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration, so the risk of developing them goes up as we age. Others can develop quickly and go unnoticed.

Frequent exams give you the best opportunity to have something diagnosed and treated quickly.

WHAT’S YOUR EYE DOCTOR LOOKING FOR?

Your optometrist assesses the health of your eyes and looks for signs of several common eye diseases. Your eye health risk factors play a role in additional tests your doctor may recommend to help you receive the best preventative care possible.

AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
The center of our retina, called the macula, begins wearing out as we age. Early-on, this doesn’t cause many symptoms. But if left untreated, it can lead to partial vision loss that makes it difficult to complete daily activities. Age-related macular degeneration can develop for a long time before it causes noticeable symptoms or permanent vision loss..

GLAUCOMA

Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve. In many cases, this develops due to abnormal internal eye pressure, called intraocular pressure. One exception is normal tension glaucoma, where the optic nerve is damaged while the intraocular pressure is within a normal range.

CATARACTS

Risk of developing cataracts commonly increases as we age. Over time, the eye’s natural lens grows cloudy and affects vision. Many people continue to see well enough after the development of a cataract, using changing prescriptions to correct vision impairment. Over time, your vision can worsen, and surgery is the only way to restore vision loss due to cataracts.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Diabetic retinopathy is something eye doctors may screen for even if you’re not specifically getting a diabetic eye exam.

Because of the damage it can cause, treatment should begin quickly when the eye doctor notices it developing.