Did you know that regular eye exams are not only important in detecting and treating changes in vision but also play an important role in detecting certain eye diseases that do not show symptoms early and monitoring general health conditions such as Diabetes. A comprehensive eye examination by a qualified optometrist should be done every 1 -2 years depending on one’s age. Mullers Optometrists offer the latest technologies to assist in diagnosing a variety of vision problems such as a Fundus Camera, Corneal Topographer and OCT Scanner. Below are a few reasons why an eye examination is important:
1 – Detecting diseases Many eye diseases are silent and appear symptomless at first, eye examinations are essential in detecting eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration in the early stages. An eye examination can also detect certain health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. 2 – Family History Certain eye conditions are hereditary so even if you feel that there is nothing wrong with your vision, you should have your eyes tested to rule out any potential problems if there are eye conditions present in your family. Certain conditions do develop with age so it is always a good idea to have an eye examination regularly even if no problems were detected at your last exam.
3 – Headaches Headaches are often one of the reasons many people visit an Optometrist. There are different types of headaches ranging from primary headaches like tension headaches and migraines to secondary headaches caused by factors such as dehydration, sinus and visual fatigue. The Optometrist will firstly observe your optic nerve and measure your eye pressure to rule out acute glaucoma and optic nerve swelling. Eye strain can lead to headaches and the most common causes are astigmatism, hyperopia (far-sightedness) and binocular imbalances. A correct spectacle prescription will alleviate eye strain and reduce the chances of this progressing into a headache. **Always remember sudden change in vision (dark patches, blurry vision, flashing lights), red painful eyes or extreme photosensitivity should be treated as urgent and you should consult with an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist immediately.