By Dr. Kelly Arnhart
Quality vision and excellent eye health are foundational to enjoying a high quality of life. Early detection is vital to prevent eye disease and damage to your vision or vision loss as you age. The incidence of eye disease increases with age, so people aged 65 and up are at their most vulnerable when it comes to vision loss.
Vision changes occur and risks for various eye diseases increase over your lifetime. High-quality and comprehensive eye exams by qualified eye doctors are vital to keeping track of your vision quality and any eye diseases potentially developing. We have many options with modern medicine to prevent and treat eye problems and disease. Poor vision can be improved allowing full access to all life has to offer. For your best eye health at ages 65+, how often should you get an eye exam?
If you are 65 or older, you have no symptoms of eye disease, and you are seeing clearly, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that you have an examination performed by an eye doctor every 1 to 2 years. If you have symptoms of eye disease or cannot see clearly, your eye doctor may recommend you have more frequent exams. If you wear contact lenses, you need eye exams every year.
Comprehensive eye exams involve more than checking your vision for glasses and contacts. Eye doctors use eye examinations to check for damage from health conditions such as diabetes and to check for eye diseases which can lead to blindness, such as glaucoma and cataracts.
Often, the symptoms of eye diseases developing may not even be noticeable. As eye disease or problems advance and become worse, slowing progression or preventing permanent damage to your eyes and vision becomes more difficult. Regular eye exams help you and your eye doctor detect problems at the earliest stage possible, when they are the most treatable.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs as a result of damage to blood vessels in the retina due to high blood sugar levels. Blood vessels in the eye may leak, or new abnormal, fragile blood vessels may grow in the retina causing bleeding or scar tissue formation. Diabetic retinopathy can result in blurry vision or loss of central and/or peripheral vision.
Age-related macular degeneration occurs when protein deposits or abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina. Age-related macular degeneration affects the central vision, causing blind spots or distortion.
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve that results in loss of peripheral vision, and it is often associated with an increased pressure inside the eye.
Routine, comprehensive eye exams have been proven by medical research to help combat eye disease and vision loss. Schedule an appointment with a Thomas Eye Group licensed eye doctor today to care for your vision and eye health properly.
You should visit your local eye doctor more frequently if you are at a higher risk of developing disease, if you have personal health history of visual problems or disease, or if you have a family history of eye disease.
Kelly N. Arnhart, O.D. is a Board-licensed comprehensive optometrist. Dr. Arnhart offers a range of services including comprehensive eye exams with prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, and treatment of various ocular conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease among others.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. It describes itself as a “global community of 32,000 medical doctors who protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public.” Its website is a great resource to learn more about how to care for your eyes.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) describes itself as the leading authority on quality care and an advocate for our nation’s health, representing more than 44,000 doctors of optometry (O.D.), optometric professionals, and optometry students.
Eye Exam and Vision Testing Basics
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/eye-exams-101
Frequency of Ocular Examinations – 2015
https://www.aao.org/clinical-statement/frequency-of-ocular-examinations
Vision Screening Recommendations for Adults Over 60
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/seniors-screening
What Is Macular Degeneration?
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-diabetic-retinopathy
What Is Glaucoma?
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-glaucoma
What Are Cataracts?
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-cataracts
