May Is Healthy Vision Month: Why You Need a Comprehensive Eye Exam

May is the month to recognize why it is essential to have annual comprehensive eye exams. Taking care of your eyes is crucial and should be a priority as they are the windows through which you see and connect with the world. Your eye health is as important as your physical well-being. During the healthy vision month of May, get a comprehensive eye exam to find out the health status of your eye health.

What Is a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

A comprehensive eye exam is a thorough examination of all the aspects of vision and overall eye health done by your eye doctor. It helps your doctor advise you on optimized solutions and treatments for your specific needs. Take control of your sight and schedule your eye exam now. There are many reasons why you need a comprehensive eye exam.

Maintains Vision

Eye conditions are not the only problem that can affect your vision. Refractive errors can affect your sight. You may need to wear prescription glasses or contact lenses; sometimes, you can choose to have a laser vision correction. If your cornea does not refract light as it should through your eyes, you will most likely have blurry vision due to the refractive error.

Comprehensive eye exams detect myopia, where you can clearly see objects that are up close but those in the distance look blurry. It also detects hyperopia, which is the opposite of being nearsighted. The examination can also find further refractive eye problems, such as presbyopia and astigmatism.

Your eye doctor can conduct a visual acuity test to determine how you see objects at various distances. They can then determine what corrective measure to take.

Detects Conditions That Can Threaten Your Vision

Comprehensive eye exams do a thorough job detecting eye diseases that can threaten your sight if not treated immediately. Your doctor gets the chance to find such problems that would otherwise remain hidden from the naked eye. Many eye conditions do not show symptoms until vision damage occurs.

A comprehensive eye exam will detect any eye disease that can threaten sight.  The following are a few common conditions:

• Age-related macular degeneration.
• Glaucoma.
• Keratoconus.
• Cataracts.
• Cancer that affects the eyes or the skin that surrounds the eyes.

Detects Overall Health Conditions

Comprehensive eye exams are beneficial because they detect problems in your general health. Many health problems have a direct effect on the structures of your eyes. Your eye doctor can identify the following conditions during a comprehensive eye exam:

• High blood pressure.
• Cancer.
• Diabetes.
• Lupus.
• High cholesterol.
• Thyroid disease.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Multiple sclerosis.

When your eye doctor detects such issues early, you can get immediate medical attention.

Thorough Examination

Comprehensive eye exams are beneficial because they are thorough. Your eye doctor ensures they check for all types of disorders before the exam ends. You get peace of mind that they have left no stone unturned and ensures you will maintain healthy eyes for life.
 

They will begin with a variety of testing including visual acuity test to evaluate your vision from different distances, and they will use various diagnostic testing with advanced technology. They will also examine your entire eye inside and out using a specialized microscope. Your optometrist will then scrutinize your retina with specialized diagnostic technology. This part is crucial as it will tell your specialist about the state of your eye health and general health.

For more on healthy vision, call Perceptions Eye Health & Wellness at (910) 400-1215 to reach our office in Southport, North Carolina.