You may wonder why a yearly eye appointment typically lasts well over an hour. Remember that the goal is to not only measure your visual acuity for glasses or contacts, but to evaluate your complete eye health. There are lots of moving parts to your comprehensive ophthalmology visit. Your exam occurs in three distinct sections: technician testing, dilation, and exam with physician.
Because many serious eye conditions begin without a noticeable change in vision, it’s vital to have a regular, dilated eye exam every year” says Dr. S. Rana, board certified ophthalmologist with St Lucie Eye in Port St Lucie, FL.
Always err on the side of caution when it comes to your vision. Many mild symptoms can mimic those of more serious eye diseases and permanently damage vision if left untreated. Notify your eye doctor immediately if you notice sudden changes or have an eye injury. Your ophthalmologist will help evaluate and triage your symptoms.
Changes in the eye’s blood vessels may signal an elevated risk of heart disease, stroke or aneurysm. If your eye doctor sees any of these signs during a dilated eye exam, it could be literally life-saving!
September is Healthy Aging Month and a great time to see your eye doctor.
Direct sunlight on the skin can synthesize Vitamin D in as little as 15 minutes. Vitamin D supports absorption of minerals like calcium and phosphorus that help regulate the immune system. Moderate amounts of sun also help contribute to the development of better distance vision for teens and young adults according to the latest studies.
Digital eye strain occurs when viewing electronic devices like computers, cellphones and tv’s for long periods. Digital screens emit significant amounts of blue light, short wavelengths on the color spectrum that scatter freely and are not easily focused. This creates a visual “noise” of low contrast that contributes to strain.
