By: Margaret Carr, Correspondent
Many individuals need corrective lenses to see clearly and therefore get an eye exam on a regular basis. But even if your vision is naturally perfect, it is important to get an annual eye exam, since there are many issues that can develop in the eye that may go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Dr. Jordan Cabrera, an optometrist based in Loveland, Colorado, states that “people with completely normal vision and no health conditions can have holes or tears in their retina that have the potential to eventually lead to permanent vision loss.”
Your retina, located at the back of the eye, is responsible for converting light rays into the signals sent to your brain that tell you what you see. While small irregularities in your retina may not affect your vision, they can lead to bigger issues over time like a retinal detachment. This is when your retina peels off the back of your eye, leading to flashes of light, increased floaters in your vision and, if left untreated, permanent vision loss.
Your eyes are also a window to your overall health.
Cabrera explains that retinal blood vessels can have “irregular appearances or qualities that can lead to the diagnosis of a systemic disease or blood disorder.”
For example, an optometrist may be able to see signs of diabetic retinopathy which the American Academy of Ophthalmology explains is swelling of the blood vessels at the back of the eye caused by diabetes. If an individual is not already diagnosed with diabetes, the optometrist can send a report to the patient’s primary care provider and recommend further testing.
There have also been cases where optometrists like Dr. Timothy Osius, also based in Loveland, have detected brain tumors or blood clots based on the changes in vision and inner-eye health of their patients.
Optometrists don’t just examine your inner-eye and vision. During an annual ocular health exam, they will also look at the outer eye and surrounding areas, including the eyelids and conjunctiva (the thin membrane lining your inner eyelid). According to Cabrera, it’s possible to have lesions in these areas that can be cancerous. “If they look suspicious, an optometrist can refer a patient for further evaluation or a biopsy.”
In general, it is important to have your eye health checked annually to ensure that there are no hidden diseases or damages to the eye that would otherwise go unnoticed. Most vision insurance plans will fully cover an annual eye exam with a low copay, regardless of if you need corrective lenses. If you don’t have vision insurance, call your local optometrist office and ask about self-pay rates.
Don’t wait until you are losing your vision to have your eyes checked. Take the time to invest in your health by getting an eye exam annually.
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