It is natural for a person's eyesight to begin to deteriorate as he or she gets older. However, the rate of deterioration can be slowed down if the person takes care of their eyes, live a
healthy lifestyle and schedule regular eye exams with an optometrist.
Eye exams are just as important as physical exams and maybe even more important if you are experiencing eye problems.
Age-related vision problems are only one of the reasons why a person may be having poor eyesight. The ability to clearly see objects is dependent on the main structures of the eye:
- Cornea
- Retina
- Optic nerves
- Lens
Light enters the eye by first going through the cornea and passing into the retina. The light is focused on the lens, and it is converted into a neural signal by the retina.
Finally, the signal is transmitted by the optic nerves to the brain.
This process is very complicated, and if one structure has a problem, eyesight may be affected or the vision may not occur. It is imperative that the eyes are well taken care of, and if
problems begin to occur, it is critical to consult with an optometrist as soon as possible.
Who Should See An Optometrist?
Everyone should schedule an appointment with an optometrist. Children should have an eye exam before they turn one year old. They should have another one before they turn three and
another one before they start school.
After they start school, they should continue to undergo eye exams every other year.
This eye exam schedule should continue until the individual reaches 60, and then they should undergo yearly eye exams.
The average exam takes less than 30 minutes unless a problem is discovered. If so, additional tests will need to be performed so corrective lenses can be prescribed if necessary.
The Procedure
The consultations typically begin with a short interview to identify any problems you may be having with your vision including symptoms like nausea and/or headaches. For a first visit, you
may have to provide your medical history as well.
By providing your medical history, the optometrist will avoid prescribing medications that could adversely affect you.
The optometrist will then perform several tests on your eyes, and one of these tests will be a visual acuity test. This type of test involves reading letters from a distance in order to
determine how well your eyes work together.
Optometry consultations do not include any invasive tests or procedures. These consultations can help save your eyesight and prevent further problems from developing.
