Because many serious eye conditions begin without a noticeable change in vision, it’s vital to have a regular, dilated eye exam every year” says Dr. S. Rana, board certified ophthalmologist with St Lucie Eye in Port St Lucie, FL.
Always err on the side of caution when it comes to your vision. Many mild symptoms can mimic those of more serious eye diseases and permanently damage vision if left untreated. Notify your eye doctor immediately if you notice sudden changes or have an eye injury. Your ophthalmologist will help evaluate and triage your symptoms.
Diabetes can damage vision without pain or symptoms. Vision changes can even occur in prediabetes, when blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with the disease. Many people first learn they have diabetes during an eye exam.
Changes in the eye’s blood vessels may signal an elevated risk of heart disease, stroke or aneurysm. If your eye doctor sees any of these signs during a dilated eye exam, it could be literally life-saving!
September is Healthy Aging Month and a great time to see your eye doctor.
Think of your annual ophthalmology visit as a primary care check-up for your eyes. The tests given during a complete exam help identify chronic conditions that may be impacting your vision, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Damage seen to blood vessels at the back of the eye can signal changes that need to be addressed.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that destroy delicate optic nerve fibers responsible for transmitting visual signals to the brain.
The destruction typically occurs slowly which is why glaucoma can be so devastating. It is often only confirmed after significant damage to the optic nerve, causing permanent vision loss.
