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Eye Care Author: Staff Editor Last Updated: Sep 7, 2017 - 10:06:33 PM



5 Reasons Why Skipping Yearly Eye Exams Is Not Cool

By Staff Editor
Feb 3, 2015 - 8:34:21 AM



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(HealthNewsDigest.com) - For one reason or another, many people don't think about their eyes when maintaining their health. The eyes are one of the most delicate areas of our bodies. Just like other parts of your body, your eyes need an annual examination, and even more often than that if you happen to fall into one of the high risk groups, such as those with diabetes or a family history of eye problems.

Risky Business

When it comes to healthy eyes, there are three main groups who are at more risk than the rest of us.

1. Preschoolers

Young children aren't aware there's a problem. Young children aren't able to vocalize their vision problems until they are school-aged. In addition, they may not even be aware they can't see well until they try to see the blackboard in class.


Start screening early. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, only one out of every seven children of preschool age gets a yearly eye exam, and just one out of every four preschoolers get some kind of vison screening. They recommend all children between the ages of three and five have yearly screenings for common childhood eye conditions, like lazy eye, also called amblyopia, which is completely treatable when detected early.

2. Adults Aged 50 and Above

Another high risk group is adults over 50. This is especially true for those with diabetes, because they are more prone to retinopathy, which causes blindness. The sad fact is, 82 percent of people who deal with blindness are over 50. Ask your eye doctor to screen you for common conditions that affect older people, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Older eyes can change dramatically in a short amount of time.

3. People Living on Low Incomes

The third high-risk group is those on a low income. The World Health Organization, estimated that globally, nearly 90 percent of visually impaired people are low income. In addition, cataracts continue to be the leading cause of blindness in middle to low income countries. Worldwide, uncorrected refractive errors are the main cause of moderate to severe visual impairment.


Why Skipping is So Not Cool

Here are the top five reasons why skipping your annual eye exam is a bad idea:

1.      Eighty percent of all eye conditions are preventable or even curable.

2.      People with eye problems are more likely to experience bad hearing, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, back problems and strokes.

3.      Those with poor vision have a higher risk of falling and other accidents.

4.      People with vision problems have a bigger chance of having anxiety and depression.

5.      Approximately 11 million Americans ages 12 years and older could have better vision if they had corrective lenses or laser eye surgery.

Eye Problem Prevention

Everyone should have an eye exam at least once a year. Some common eye issues to watch out for include the following:

  • Refractive Problems - This condition, a common one, is when the shape of the eye doesn't bend light like it should. Corrective lenses can fix this problem, as well as laser eye surgery.
  • Age-Related Macular Degeneration - This condition gradually reduces central vision.
  • Cataracts - This is where the eyes cloud over, making it difficult to see.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy - A problem for those with diabetes, this condition damages your blood vessels located at the back of the eye.
  • Glaucoma - This damages your optic nerve, often accompanied with an increase in eye pressure.

To keep your eyes healthy, you should:

1.      Have regular comprehensive dilated eye exams regularly.

2.      Be aware of your family's eye health history, including hereditary eye conditions.

3.      Eat plenty of dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach and collard greens.

4.      Consume fish high in omega-3 fatty acids like trout, salmon, halibut and albacore tuna.

5.      Maintain your weight.

6.      Don't smoke. According to the eye doctors in Fall River from Advanced Eye Centers, smoking is linked to eye diseases like cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and more.

7.      Wear protective eyewear whenever you do things like playing sports, sanding, scraping, painting, yard work or repairs.

8.      Always wear sunglasses that block between 99 and 100 percent of ultraviolet rays, both UVA and UVB.

9.      Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes. If you wear contacts, always wash your hands before you handle them and clean your contact lenses often.

Red Flags for Your Eyes

Everyone needs to be aware of the common eye symptoms that signal trouble, including:

  • Light Flashes
  • Eye Pain
  • Blurry or Double Vision
  • Red Eyes
  • Eye Drainage
  • Spiders or Floaters
  • Halos or Circles from Lights
  • Problems with Night Driving
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness

Remember, if you can't recall the last time you went to the eye doctor for an exam, you should make an appointment right away. But, the standard eye test where you read those black letters off a board is not enough. The best kind of examination is the dilated eye exam, where the eye care professional uses special eye drops to widen the pupils. This enables the eye doctor to get a better look, so they can check for common vision conditions and eye diseases. You can protect your vision for life by following these strategies and listening to your eye doctor.

LORI MICHAUD, O.D. graduated Beta Sigma Kappa, cum Laude from New England College of Optometry in Boston in 1998. She also graduated with honors from the University of Maine receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Zoology in 1994. Dr. Michaud with more than ten years experience has performed eye examinations, ophthalmologic consultations, contact lens fittings and spectacle dispensing. Dr. Michaud currently resides in New Bedford.

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