How Often Do I Need a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

Eye care is critical to your health, so you should pay attention to it. The best and most effective way to maintain your eye health is through eye exams. In an eye exam, the eye doctor will check on any issues affecting your vision. Also, you can have a regular exam or a comprehensive eye exam.

A comprehensive eye exam at Lakhani Vision Care can tell you a lot about your overall health. Experts have discovered that many serious diseases usually present symptoms in the eyes. A comprehensive eye exam provides a thorough look at your eye structures and can spot most of these. 

Why Are Eye Exams Important?

In a comprehensive eye exam, the eye doctor will use specific eye tests to observe your eye's internal structures. The eye doctor can get cross-sectional images of your eye through an optical coherence tomography test (OCT). Specifically, they can observe the tiny blood vessels in your eyes. 

They can tell if serious eye conditions are developing while it is still early enough for treatment. Some eye conditions do not present symptoms until they cause much damage. For instance, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration only present symptoms in the advanced stages. 

Also, some diseases like hypertension affect the tiny blood vessels in the body, including the eyes. By examining these structures' states, the eye doctor can determine if you have a serious underlying condition.

What Conditions Can Comprehensive Eye Exams Detect?

• Hypertension
   

• Diabetes
   

• Lupus
   

• High cholesterol

How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?

The frequency of eye exams depends on your eye health, age, and underlying conditions. 

Age

Age is one factor that dictates how often you should have an eye exam. People under 40 do not require frequent eye exams unless they have a visual issue. But once you reach 40, eye doctors recommend you get an eye exam even if you have perfect vision. As you age, your eyes are more susceptible to age-related eye issues.

Family History

If your family history reveals some eye conditions, it may be wise to have regular eye checkups. It is crucial for children who are still developing. If you have a history of myopia, lazy eye, or strabismus, you will want your child to get early treatment. 

Eye Conditions

If you have an eye condition like myopia or hyperopia, you may need an eye exam at least once a year. People with eye conditions are more predisposed to developing other serious diseases. A yearly eye exam will help them keep track of their eye health. Depending on the degree of the refractive error, or the stage of glaucoma, your eye doctor will advise on the best frequency of an eye exam.

Underlying Health Conditions

If you have specific health issues like diabetes, you need frequent eye exams. One of the main reasons is that these diseases can give rise to eye conditions that are fatal to your vision. 

For instance, you will likely develop diabetic retinopathy if you have diabetes. According to studies, about 21 percent of all people with type 2 diabetes have retinopathy when they first get a diagnosis. Eye exams will help manage blood sugar levels and keep your eyes healthy. 

For more about a comprehensive eye exam, visit Lakhani Vision Care at our office in Marietta, Georgia. Call (770) 509-9932 to book an appointment today.