Many elders and older adults underestimate the importance of annual eye exams as part of their preventative healthcare. If the prescription on a pair of glasses seems to still be working, many seniors elect to skip the visit to the eye doctor. However, the eyes are a window into more than just ocular health! Why are annual eye exams so vital to your health?
Detect Health Problems Early
Numerous medical and vision conditions can be detected early in an eye exam, which opens up treatment options and improves prognosis. During an eye exam, your ophthalmologist could detect:
- Cataracts: Age is the top risk factor for cataracts, and untreated cataracts can cause major vision loss. Cataracts are often treatable with a quick outpatient procedure, so having them identified early is the best way to prevent poor vision from putting you in an unsafe situation.
- Glaucoma: This vision issue arises from an accumulation of pressure in the eye. Over time, it can harm the optic nerve and cause the loss of peripheral vision and permanent vision loss. There are no early signs of glaucoma externally, and many people do not experience pain until the condition is advanced. However, a yearly eye exam can detect it early on and prevent it from worsening.
- Hypertensive Retinopathy: Most people understand the link between hypertension and kidney and heart issues, but did you know that hypertension can also cause vision damage? Untreated hypertension narrows the blood vessels in the retina due to blood vessel damage elsewhere in the eye. This can lead to swelling in the optic nerve. An eye exam can identify hypertension early and treat the condition.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is currently the leading cause of blindness in older adults, but it also has no early warning signs. However, an annual eye exam can diagnose this issue early.
- Additional Health Problems: During a thorough eye exam, an ophthalmologist can observe and detect the health of the blood vessels in your retina. These blood vessels are a good indicator of the health of the blood vessels throughout your body. Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and some cancers can be detected by the condition of your retinal vessels and blood supply.
Prioritize Your Health with Senior Care Lifestyles
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