The Benefits of Comprehensive Eye Exams Beyond Just Checking Your Vision

When we think of eye exams, most people assume they are only for checking vision. While that’s true, a comprehensive eye exam offers so much more. Eye exams can detect conditions early, allowing for quicker treatment and better outcomes.
 

What Happens During a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

This is an in-depth eye health evaluation. The optometrist, in this case, will assess your vision and the health of the structures in your eye.
 

Here are some tests you will experience during an eye exam:

• Visual Acuity Test: This test checks how well you can see. The optometrist will display some letters for you to read from a distance.
• Eye Movement Test: Your optometrist will check how well your eyes track moving objects and work together.
• Refraction Test: This helps determine your prescription for glasses or contacts.
• Slit Lamp Exam: The eye doctor will examine the structures in the front of your eye using a bright light. Some of the structures here include the cornea, iris, and lens.
• Intraocular Pressure Test: This test helps detect glaucoma. It does so by measuring the pressure inside your eyes.

The Benefits of Comprehensive Eye Exams

While a simple vision test tells you how well you can see, a full eye exam offers so much more. Here are a few of the key reasons why you should make eye exams a regular part of your routine:

• Early detection of eye diseases — Conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration develop slowly without any noticeable signs.
• Detecting underlying health issues — Did you know your eyes can reveal a lot about your overall health? For instance, changes in the blood vessels of your retina could be an early indicator of heart problems or high blood sugar.
• Preventing vision loss — Glaucoma leads to permanent vision loss if untreated. Early detection means your doctor can intervene and slow the progression of these diseases, helping you hold onto your sight longer.
• Improving your overall health — Eye exams help doctors spot early warning signs of health issues that may not have shown up elsewhere, giving you a chance to address them sooner.
• Clearer, more comfortable vision — Glasses and contact lenses wearers get to keep their prescription current. Wearing the right prescription helps reduce strain on your eyes. This eliminates headaches and makes everyday tasks, such as reading or driving, much more comfortable.
• Peace of mind — Something is reassuring about knowing your eyes are healthy. Regular exams help you feel confident that you are not missing out on early signs of diseases.

Why You Need Regular Eye Exams

Many of us tend to put off eye exams, especially if our vision appears to be fine. But did you know that even if your eyesight seems perfect, your eyes can still be hiding problems?

Nearsightedness and astigmatism can make learning more difficult, so catching them early is important. For adults, particularly those over the age of 40, eye exams are even more critical.

For more on comprehensive eye exams, visit La Mirada Optometry. Our office is in La Mirada, California. Call (562) 442-3200 to schedule an appointment today.