You already know that your primary care doctor recommends having regular checkups to help prevent chronic disease and other health problems. But did you know that having the same type of comprehensive evaluation is just as important to your ocular health? Clear Vision Optometry is committed to providing the best possible vision and eye care to patients of all ages. If you live in the Austin, Texas, area and want to protect your ocular health, call the office or use the online booking feature to schedule your comprehensive exam.
An ocular health exam, also known as a comprehensive eye exam, is a test with multiple components that are designed to evaluate your visual acuity as well as your overall eye health. It includes a variety of tests designed to reveal potential ocular health problems, many of which don’t show any signs or symptoms until significant vision loss has already occurred.
When Dr. Trinh checks your pupil reaction, peripheral vision, eye movement, internal eye pressure, and the both the surface and back of your eye, she’s looking for indications of common conditions and disorders that affect eye health. She may ask you questions about your medical history during the exam.
The ocular health portion of a comprehensive eye exam is intended to catch potential problems or conditions before they can cause partial or full vision loss in one or both of your eyes. Disorders or conditions that Dr. Trinh may find during an exam include:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): This condition is a leading cause of vision loss among patients over 50. It damages the macula, a small spot near the center of your retina required for sharp central vision. It’s usually slow to advance, causing a blurred area in the center of your vision. Although there’s no cure for AMD, there are steps you can take to halt its progression.
Glaucoma: Another leading cause of blindness, elevated intraocular pressure or high pressure within your eye most often cause glaucoma. This increased pressure typically damages the optic nerve progressively, causing a gradual loss of vision. Glaucoma isn’t curable, but it is controllable once Dr. Trinh diagnosis it.
Cataracts: Cataracts, or the clouding of the lens in your eye, is a common age-related problem. Most Americans have a cataract or have already undergone surgery to remove one by the age of 80. Cataracts can make your vision cloudy or blurry, and even colors may seem less vibrant. Surgery is the best treatment option.
Diabetic eye disease: This condition includes eye problems that commonly occur as a complication of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy is a common cause of blindness among people with diabetes. It’s caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.
Other common conditions that Dr. Trinh may be able to spot during an ocular health exam include dry eye and low vision.
Having a comprehensive eye exam as recommended is one of the best things you can do to keep your eyes healthy and protect your vision. Other things you can do to protect ocular health include:
