May is a healthy sehmonate.
My partner Tom often browses with his great eyesight. And I only accepted that he has a perfect vision because he is with me.
But I had to give him great side people when he told me that it was since his last eye exam for decades.
To be clear, everyone should receive an eye examination at the age of 40 – regardless of how well they think that their vision is. This is because your eyes change in old age and the earlier you catch signs of diseases – the better. However, eye examinations are particularly important for women and people who were assigned to women at birth (AFB), since women have a higher risk of eye diseases than men.
Read: women’s eye health 101 >>
What does an eye examination include?
The standard eye examination evaluates the vision and overall health of the eyes by a number of different tests.
First, your health service provider (HCP) will go through your medical history with you. This can include medication that you take, the family medical history of the health states and determine whether you are wearing correction lenses.
To test how well you can see, most HCPs use a version of the iconic snelling vision test. The diagram has large letters above that are getting smaller downwards. The test measures visual acuity or how sharp you see from 20 feet away. The term “20/20 vision” comes here. The upper number refers to the distance – 20 feet – and the lower number is the last line that you can read correctly.
If you have contacts or glasses, you will see a device through your HCP that is referred to as a refractor or phoropter and contains different lenses to determine your recipe.
An eye examination also checks:
- Eye movement
- Eye pressure
- The front of your eye (cornea, eyelids, iris and lenses)
- Pupils
- Side view
In order to check for signs of damage in your retina and optic nerve, the HCP drops put in your eye that extends the pupil (extended). Note: The dilation can make you sensitive to sunlight. So bring your sunglasses and someone home.
Who should get an eye examination and how often?
If you have healthy eyes overall, the frequency of eye examinations depends on your age.
If you are 20 to 39 years old:
- Get a complete eye exam every five to ten years
- Get annual exams when you wear correction lenses
If you are 40:
- Get an eye examination, even if you had no previous problems
After the age of 40 you will receive an eye examination:
- Every two to four years to the age of 54
- Every to three years for people aged 55 to 64 years
- All one to two years for people from 65 years and older
People with family history of eye diseases, health conditions such as diabetes and other risk factors may have to be seen more often than people who do not know any eye problems. Start your HCP to determine if you need an exam.
Ophthalmologist against optician
Routine eye care can be provided by opticians and opticians. The difference between the two is the training level.
Ophthalmologists have medical qualifications (MDS) and surgical training to provide all eyesight. People with more serious eye problems should see an ophthalmologist.
Opticians, on the other hand, are not doctors, but have a doctor of optometry (OD) and can carry out routine eye and visual examinations.
Found eye problems during an examination
Many serious eye diseases have no symptoms in the early stages. An investigation can help diagnose diseases and prevent visual loss and blindness.
Common eyes conditions found during an investigation can:
- Catar acts: clouds in the eye lens, the blurred view, difficulties with night vision, sensitivity to light and double view can cause
- Diabetic retinopathy: an eye disease that affects the blood vessels in the eyes of people with diabetes. It can cause floating stains, blurred vision and blindness
- Glaucom: A group of eye diseases that influence the nerve in the background back (optic nerve) and cause the loss of the side and blindness
- Age -related macular degeneration: an eye disease that causes a blurred central vision and can lead to a loss of vision
Eye examinations are also crucial to catch early signs of chronic health states such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure.
Read: Glaucom 101 >>
Eye examinations cost
The cost of an eye examination can vary depending on where you are going and whether you have a vision insurance. Without insurance, the price can be between 50 and 200 US dollars.
Medicaid can cover routine eye examinations, but the plans vary depending on the state. So check your cover before you get an exam.
Does Medicare cover eye examinations?
The original Medicare plans do not cover eye examinations. Most plans of Medicare Advantage (part C) cover visual care, including annual eye examinations and coverage of glasses or contact lenses.
Keep an eye on your eye health
Getting an eye examination is the best way to recognize early warning signs of diseases and other problems that can lead to loss and blindness of visual disturbances. An investigation can even help diagnose chronic diseases that are hidden in sight.
If you didn’t have an eye examination or it was a long time ago – make an appointment.
This educational resource was created with the support of VIUTRIS, a healthy member of the management consultancy.
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