Appointments: 847-473-2568
3900 Fountain Sq. Pl.
Waukegan, IL 60085
"How often should I get an eye examination?"
Children. The statistics speak for themselves that approximately one in 20 preschool children and one in four school-aged children have an eye problem that could cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. Children without symptoms and who are at low risk for eye problems should have their eyes screened by six months of age, then examined at age three and again at the start of school (age five). Risk-free children should then continue to have their eyes examined at least every two years throughout school.Adults. The AOA also recommends an annual eye exam for any adult who wears eyeglasses or contacts. If you don't normally need vision correction, you still need an eye exam every year to three years up to the age of 40, depending on your rate of visual change and overall health. Doctors often recommend more frequent examinations for adults with diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders, because many diseases can have an impact on the health of your eyes.
If you are over 40, it's a good idea to have your eyes examined every one to two years to check for common age-related eye problems such as presbyopia,(click) cataracts and macular degeneration. Because the risk of eye disease continues to increase with advancing age, everyone over the age of 60 should be examined annually. Other health conditions that warrant yearly eye examinations include high blood pressure and diabetes.
"Can you explain more why I should get my eyes examined yearly?"
For Prevention, Performance, and Potential! Most serious or critical eye disorders or health problems are discovered by the eye doctor during routine exams without the patients ever even realizing there is a problem. Here at our office, we recommend yearly examinations so as to prevent problems from occuring because of being away from the doctor so long. Often times, we can prevent a problem from worsening by treating it early.
By wearing the best prescription possible, means your visual performance will be maximized whether you are a computer user, spend most of your days on the road or you are big into sports. Early treatment, continual monitoring, and adjustments to your visual eye care plan gives you the best advantage of reaching your potential.
Don't take your eye health and vision for granted. We only have two of them and they cannot be replaced. Two things we all should not take lightly: cheap parachutes and our eyes! Below are actual comments from patients in regards to their misunderstanding or misconceptions about their own or their children's eye issues. That's why it is important to receive regular health and vision exams in routine intervals throughout one's life.
"I still see good with my old glasses" "Isn't he too young to have an eye exam?"
(High Blood Pressure detected in retina) (Extreme Headaches caused by
"My family doctor never told me severe increase in cerebral spinal
to get my eyes checked." pressure first detected through the eye exam)
"I thought it was just from all the stress at work"
Pre-Central Retinal Vein Occlusion secondary Retinitis Pigmentosa-Night blindness
to unknown high blood pressure. " I take vitamins "I just thought my glasses prescription
every day." My vision seems good though. needed more power"
(Severe Glaucoma) (Cataract in a healthy 35 year old)
"But my eyes feel great" "Is that why I've had so many problems with
headlights at night?"
Optic atrophy and macular scar secondary to a
traumatic eye injury. "The photo really helped me
understand why I could never see out of this left eye."
Extensive hardening of the arteries (Arteriolosclerosis)-"The doctor
several years ago said I had high cholesterol but I though I just had
to watch what I ate." Patient was subsequently tested positive for
elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. As a result, her new physician
prescribed her cholesterol lowering medication and this patient
also consulted with a diet counselor to better manage her dietary
requirements.
