Cascade Eye & Skin Centers, P.C.
It can be easy to take the health of your eyes for granted if you have good vision, but it is important to get your eyes checked from time to time even if you haven’t had vision problems in the past. This is because eye exams can help doctors find problems before they get severe enough to cause symptoms. Health problems that are discovered through eye exams can be directly related to vision but can also indicate other health problems such as diabetes. If you live along the Southern coast of the Puget Sound, keeping annual appointments with an eye doctor in Tacoma can help you monitor health concerns and catch early warning signs of vision loss.
Annual Eye Exams
It is recommended that patients have eye exams done annually or bi-annually depending on their age, health, and symptoms. Having a thorough eye exam done every year or two can give your doctor the chance to check for a number of symptoms and possible health concerns. These exams usually last for about an hour. During this time refraction is used to check vision and allow the doctor to see if corrective lenses are necessary and what the prescription for the lenses should be. In addition to refraction the pressure of the eye is checked so that the doctor can assess your risk for glaucoma. If you are receiving a full exam, eye dilation will also be included. Dilation is a process in which the pupil of your eye is expanded so that the doctor can look inside of your eyeball and check for abnormalities. This process can cause temporary light-sensitivity and blurred vision but is necessary for a full exam. These routine examinations are a good way to spot early problems with vision as well as other illnesses. If your eye doctor notices early signs of glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, or arthritis they may advise you to follow up with your regular medical provider or a specialist.
Other Symptoms to Be Aware Of
Routine eye exams can be used as a preventative measure to spot problems before symptoms arise. However, certain symptoms should be checked by an eye doctor whether routine care has been sought or not. Some indicators that you should schedule an eye exam are: ongoing headaches, persistent eye irritation or itchiness, a sudden increase in floaters or seeing flashing lights or shadows in your peripheral vision, persistent or intense eye pain, vision loss or blurred vision, dizziness or motion sickness, or changes in vision after a head trauma. Having these problems looked at by an eye doctor in Tacoma can allow you to get the treatment you need and keep your vision clear.
