If eyes are our windows to the soul, then eyesight is our radar. We cannot afford to neglect or disregard our eyes or their effect on our overall health.

Even if you think you see everything just fine, you should still get your eyes checked regularly, to prevent problems before they arise. This is even more critical if you wear glasses or contact lenses. And as you get older, the chances of vision problems may also increase.

Importance of Regular Eye Exams

A comprehensive eye exam can protect your sight, and detect problems early. It may start with the doctor gathering your history and asking you to describe any recent changes in your vision.

Next, the doctor will use a light to examine exterior parts of the eye, to make sure they are healthy.

Then, you may be asked to read letters at different distances. This is called a visual acuity test. It determines how clearly you can see. Normal visual acuity is termed “20/20”, reflecting your ability to distinguish details at a distance of 20 feet. 

A number of additional tests may be performed during the eye exam, especially if the doctor suspects a problem. You may undergo a refraction test that examines how light is bent as it passes through your cornea. It can reveal flaws such as:

• Nearsightedness (myopia) - objects nearby are seen clearly, but those far away appear blurred

• Farsightedness (hyperopia) - distant objects are clear, but those nearby are unfocused

Another exam, known as the keratometry test, is used to identify problems with focusing, movement, and coordination. The test also measures the shape of your cornea, so the doctor can properly size contact lenses, if needed.

The doctor may examine individual parts of the eye, like the cornea, eyelids, retina, and eye membrane, to check for any problems. The eye muscles must also be examined for any possible weakness in the eye movements.

Two of the more common conditions that require additional attention are astigmatism and glaucoma.

If your vision is blurred, the reason may be astigmatism. Astigmatism is caused by flaws in the shape of the eye. It may be corrected with glasses, or by laser surgery.

Eyeglasses are the first choice to correct astigmatism. They contain special cylindrical lenses that compensate for the vision loss. Contact lenses may also be used.

But in some cases, surgery may be the best option. Refractive surgery uses a highly focused beam of light to reshape the surface of the eye. The two commonly used procedures are PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis).  

PRK – Tissue from the outer and inner layers of the cornea is removed to smooth-out irregularities in the shape of the cornea.   

LASIK – The doctor pulls back the outer layer of the cornea, exposing the inner layer. A laser light is then used to remove a precise amount of inner tissue and the flap of the outer tissue is placed back into position to heal.

Glaucoma is a collection of eye disorders that injure the optic nerve. You may not notice any symptoms at all during the early stages, which is why it is so important to get regular checkups. If glaucoma is not treated, it is possible to lose sight altogether. Several factors may contribute to glaucoma including family history, ethnic background, age, and internal eye pressure.

There are two common forms of glaucoma. The most common is known as primary open angle glaucoma. It occurs when the eye’s drainage canals become congested over time. The other is narrow angle glaucoma. It follows a sudden rise in intraocular pressure, or internal eye pressure. Symptoms include intense pain, redness, swelling, clouding of the cornea, and blurred vision.

Glaucoma is initially detected with a tonometry test which measures intraocular pressure. Based on these findings, more tests will most likely be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Though scientists do not know how to prevent glaucoma yet, certain measures may reduce the risk. In addition to regular eye exams, it is advised to control weight and blood pressure because glaucoma has been linked to obesity and hypertension. Eye injuries can also lead to glaucoma, particularly for someone involved in high-speed sports and indoor games. So, make it a point to always protect your eyes.

Medication, generally in the form of eye drops, can reduce pressure in the eyes.  Depending on the seriousness of the glaucoma and a person’s general eye health, a doctor may recommend surgery to drain fluid from the eye. The first option is usually laser surgery. The doctor creates several scars in your eye’s drainage system to reduce intra-ocular pressure.  Another common surgical treatment is a filtering microsurgery called trabeculectomy. This procedure uses a small surgical tool to create a drainage hole that relieves eye pressure. The hole is covered by your eye’s membrane, so no opening actually remains in your eye. Filtering microsurgery is often recommended when laser surgery does not yield the desired results.

Healthy Life Through Healthy Eyes

Don’t take your vision for granted.  Get regular eye exams, use proper medication, and follow the recommendations of your doctor. If you keep your windows to the soul healthy, your radar will reveal the world.