Regular eye exams are an essential part of maintaining overall health and well-being. They help detect potential issues early, prevent eye conditions from worsening, and ensure your vision remains sharp and clear.
At Suzanne Cardoza, OD, we prioritize your eye health with comprehensive exams tailored to your needs.
Why Regular Eye Exams are Important
Regular eye exams are essential for several reasons. First, they help in the early detection of eye conditions that can develop without any noticeable symptoms.
For example, diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy can progress silently, leading to irreversible damage if not caught early.
By scheduling regular check-ups, you can catch these conditions in their early stages when they are most manageable.
Regular eye exams have many other benefits, including:
- Underlying health issues: Regular eye exams can reveal underlying health issues that may not be apparent otherwise, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain neurological disorders.
- Vision Correction: Discover changes in your prescription and ensure you have the correct eyewear or contact lenses.
- Overall Health Insight: Eye exams can reveal signs of systemic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
How Often Should You Have an Eye Exam?
The frequency of eye exams varies based on age, health status, and risk factors. For adults, it's generally recommended to have an eye exam every 1-2 years. However, those with a family history of eye diseases or chronic health conditions may need more frequent check-ups.
Children should have their first eye exam at six months of age, another at three years, and annually after that to ensure healthy vision development.
Regular exams are crucial for detecting any vision problems that may affect learning and development.
What to Expect During an Eye Exam
At Suzanne Cardoza, OD, we ensure that your experience is comfortable and informative, providing you with the necessary insights to maintain your eye health.
Here's what you can expect during an eye exam:
- Comprehensive Visual Assessment: The eye exam begins with a comprehensive visual assessment to evaluate how well you can see at various distances.
- Refraction and Prescription Check: This test pinpoints any refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. During this part of the exam, you'll look through a machine called a phoropter or refractor, which contains various lenses.
- Eye Muscle Function: Your eye muscles play a crucial role in keeping your vision stable and aligned. To evaluate the function of your eye muscles, the optometrist will perform tests that require you to follow a moving object with your eyes.
- Pupil and Eye Health Evaluation: Examines how your pupils respond to light, which provides insight into the health of your eyes and the functioning of your nervous system.
- Internal and External Eye Examination: An internal and external examination of your eyes using specialized instruments. This includes a slit lamp examination, which allows a detailed view of the front part of the eye, including the eyelids, cornea, conjunctiva, and iris.
- Dilated Eye Exam: In some cases, a dilated eye exam may be performed to provide a better view of the internal structures of your eye, such as the retina and optic nerve.
After completing all tests and assessments, your optometrist will discuss the results with you. This includes explaining any findings, addressing concerns you might have, and providing recommendations for treatment or lifestyle changes.
Whether it's a new prescription, advice on eye health practices, or information about potential treatments, we’re here to help you understand your eye health.
Schedule Your Eye Exam at Suzanne Cardoza, OD
Regular eye exams at Suzanne Cardoza, OD are not just about updating your glasses or contact lenses but ensuring that you have the best possible vision and eye health for years to come. If it's time for your next check-up, don't hesitate to schedule your appointment today and let us help you maintain clear, healthy vision.