It is not common to schedule a routine eye exam when your eyes feel fine. What many people do not realize is that many degenerative eye diseases cannot be felt. Glaucoma for example is painless and is often referred to as the sneak thief of sight. Routine eye examinations are important even if our eyes and vision are fine. Let’s learn from the past and history of eye disease and encourage regular eye exams. Preventative eye care can save vision.
It is no secret that diabetes is a serious disease that impacts various parts of the body, including the eyes. The most common cause of blindness in the United States is diabetic eye disease. In the early stages, when it is most easily treated, diabetic eye disease has no symptoms. The only way for a diabetic to know if he or she has diabetic eye disease is to get routine eye examinations. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends yearly eye exams for diabetics. If diabetic eye disease is found, more frequent examinations may be recommended. Good glucose control decreases the risk of diabetic eye disease, diabetic retinopathy and its progression. Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that a eventually leads to blurriness, distorted vision and eventually loss of vision. Diagnosis is important, as the disease is treatable, and early diagnosis may improve the vision outcome. If you are diabetic, our eye doctors will be happy to schedule an appointment to evaluate an impact of diabetes on your vision.
Do you have a family history of glaucoma? If so please schedule an eye exam. Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness. Glaucoma is called the sneak thief of sight because it has no symptoms at all until the disease is very advanced. Once vision is lost through Glaucoma, it can never be regained. The only way to know if you have glaucoma is to have a comprehensive eye examination on a regular basis. Learn more about glaucoma and glaucoma treatment options offered by the glaucoma specialists at Washington Eye Physicians and Surgeons.
Macular degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in this age category. In the early stages of macular degeneration, treatments can be used to manage and slow the progression of the disease. Patients typically have no symptoms at all in the early stages so coming in for an eye exam is the last thing on their mind. With busy schedules and the pressures of the modern working environment it’s probably the last thing you would think about. The only way to know if you have early macular degeneration is to have routine eye examinations even if your eyes seem healthy.
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