Dr. Mabie with one of our patients, conducting an eye pressure test!
How often should you get an eye exam? The American Optometric Association recommends an eye exam every 2 years for healthy young adults with no eye problems, but every year would not be a bad idea.
Who Needs an Eye Exam Every Year?
Every year is the recommendation for:
Children
Adults over 65
Contact lens wearers
Anyone with less than perfect vision
Anyone with any systemic health conditions
Anyone with a family history of eye diseases
What Happens at a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
A comprehensive eye exam will include a check of your vision and an update on your prescription to make sure that you are seeing as well as possible.
It also includes an evaluation of eye health.
Why You Can Have an Eye Disease and Feel Fine
There are no pain receptors beyond the front of the eyes, and a person would not have symptoms even though there may be serious damage to structures inside the eyes. There are rarely any early symptoms with glaucoma, macular degeneration, ocular melanoma and even cataracts. Early detection is the key to preventing permanent damage.
Your Eyes Can Show Your Overall Health
The eye exam is also key to monitoring and detecting overall health. The eye is the only part of the body where blood vessels can be viewed directly. Vascular damage can occur in hypertension, diabetes, aneurysms, heart disease and countless other conditions.
An Exam That Fits You
Each of us has a unique set of eyes with its own strengths and challenges. We all have our own lifestyle needs and health histories. An optometrist will take all of your own uniqueness into consideration to tailor a treatment plan and present reasonable options just for you.
Schedule Your Eye Exam
A comprehensive eye exam is more than a check of your prescription. It is the best way to find eye disease early, catch changes in your overall health, and make sure you are seeing as well as possible. If it has been more than a year or two since your last exam, this is a good time to schedule one.
Appointments are available at both locations. Call Eyestyles Optical and Boutique in Oakdale at (651) 702-2504, or Arthur Williams in St. Paul at (651) 224-2883.
When was your last eye exam?
Author Bio
Dr. Mabie has practiced optometry for 30 years, providing comprehensive eye exams and family eye care in the greater Twin Cities area, with locations in St. Paul and Oakdale. She believes a thorough exam does more than update a prescription. It can catch eye disease early and offer clues about overall health. Dr. Mabie takes the time to get to know each patient, so every treatment plan fits the person in the chair.