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Phornrak Sriphon
Jun 8, 20236 min read

"Eyesight Matters: The Essential Guide to Eye Check up"



Benefits of Eye Check-up


Regular eye check-ups are crucial for maintaining optimal eye health and detecting potential issues early on. Here are 5 reasons why it is important to get regular eye check-up


1. Early detection of eye diseases: The keyword here is "early detection." Various eye diseases require examination to be detected, such as glaucoma, Meibomian glands dysfunction leading to dry eye, cataracts, and Age related macular degeneration. These diseases can sometimes develop slowly over time without clear symptoms in the early stages, leading patients to not seek medical attention. Regular eye check-up help doctors identify these diseases in their early stages, enabling immediate treatment or intervention. This helps reduce vision loss and maintain optimal eye health effectively.


2. Understanding Vision Issues: Eye examinations help determine the refractive power of your eyes (whether they are nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatism). This information helps determine if you need to wear glasses or contact lenses. If you experience blurred vision, difficulty focusing on objects, or have trouble seeing objects clearly, an eye examination can identify vision problems and provide appropriate corrective measures to improve clarity. Correcting vision not only enhances visual acuity but also improves overall quality of life, learning, and work performance. Additionally, when reaching the age of 40, a common issue called presbyopia may arise. This occurs due to the stiffening of eye muscles and lenses that assist with near vision, making it harder to focus up close compared to when you were younger. This may require you to extend your arms when reading small text or in situations with inadequate lighting. If left uncorrected, it can lead to eye strain and headaches chronically .


3 . Monitoring Eye Health and Visual Acuity: Regular eye examinations allow doctors to monitor changes in your eye health and visual acuity over time. They can assess any changes in your vision, examine the health of your optic nerves, eye muscles, and other internal eye structures to evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatments or medications.


4. Preventing Vision Loss from Certain Eye Conditions: For example, diabetes-related optic nerve damage and age-related macular degeneration. Regular eye examinations help identify these risk factors early on and provide timely prevention or management of these eye conditions. For individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, regular eye exams are crucial as they can help detect and monitor eye-related complications and interventions.


5. Indicating Overall Health through Eye Examinations: The eyes are one of the organs that provide insight into your overall health. During an eye examination, healthcare professionals may identify signs or symptoms of general health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or assist in diagnosing certain autoimmune disorders.


Eye Check up serve as a preventive and long-term care measure for your eye health, even if you currently don't have any concerning symptoms. They allow you to be aware of your eye health status and maintain optimal eye health.

When and who should get an eye check up


1. Children: Starting from birth, children should undergo basic eye examinations with a pediatrician. Additional eye check-ups may be scheduled at 6 months, around the age of 3, and before starting school. Regular eye examinations for children help ensure proper visual development and identify potential vision problems or eye diseases early on.


2. Adults: Generally, adults should have regular eye check-ups at least once every 2 years. However, the frequency may vary depending on various factors such as age and overall health. For adults between the ages of 18 and 60 without specific eye issues or vision problems, following a biennial eye check-up schedule is commonly recommended.


3. Elderly: Individuals aged 61 and above should have annual eye check-ups or as recommended by their eye doctor. Additionally, personal risk factors should be considered.


4.Individuals with Risk Factors: Those with certain risk factors may require more frequent eye examinations. This includes individuals with diabetes, a family history of eye diseases, a history of eye injuries or surgeries, high blood pressure, or those taking medications that may affect vision. It is important to consult with an eye care professional to determine the appropriate frequency of eye check-ups based on individual circumstances.


Please note that these are general guidelines, and the frequency of eye check-ups may vary depending on individual needs. Consulting with an optometrist or ophthalmologist for personalized recommendations is important.

Eye health examination includes the following:


1. Medical History: The ophthalmologist will conduct a preliminary medical history interview, including information about any existing medical conditions and medications used, to assist in the eye health examination.

Visual Acuity Test: This test measures the level of vision and varies across different age groups. Typically, verbal techniques are used where the patient is asked to read or identify objects. Common visual acuity charts include Allen or Lea Symbols charts and the Snellen chart.


2. Refraction Test: This test measures the refractive power of the eye. The ophthalmologist may use an instrument called an autorefractor, which provides an initial assessment of the refractive error. Then, a phoropter or a series of lenses is used to precisely determine the amount of refractive correction needed for prescribing glasses or contact lenses.


3. Eye Muscle Movement Examination: This examination helps detect eye misalignment or strabismus, particularly in children.

Slit-lamp Examination: This involves using a high-powered microscope to examine the external and internal structures of the eye, including the anterior and posterior segments.

Intraocular Pressure Measurement: This measures the pressure inside the eye to screen for conditions such as glaucoma.


4. Dilated Fundus Examination: By using eye drops to dilate the pupils, this examination allows for a detailed examination of the posterior segment of the eye, including the optic nerve, retina, and retinal blood vessels. It is crucial for detecting conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, optic nerve disorders, and age-related macular degeneration. Nowadays, fundus cameras are also used to capture images of the optic nerve and retinal blood vessels without the need for pupil dilation.


5. Specialized Diagnostic Tools: These may include computerized visual field testing (CVTF) to assess the visual field, color vision testing for color blindness, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure the thickness of the optic nerve and retina. The use of these additional diagnostic tools depends on the individual's needs and risk factors.

It's important to note that the specific tests conducted during an eye examination may vary depending on the patient's age, symptoms, and overall eye health.

Preparing for an eye health examination


1. Health history: Prepare information about your previous eye health history, including any eye conditions or diseases, as well as a history of eye treatments or surgeries (if applicable). Also, make a list of medications you are currently taking and provide details about your medication history. This will help the optometrist or ophthalmologist gather necessary information for a thorough examination.


2. Glasses or contact lenses: If you wear glasses or contact lenses for vision correction, remember to bring them with you to the eye health examination. This will allow the doctor to assess your vision and evaluate the suitability of your current glasses or contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, always bring the necessary equipment to remove them during the examination.


3. Consider arranging transportation: In cases where pupil dilation is required, it may affect your ability to drive or judge distances for 4-6 hours until your vision returns to normal. Therefore, it is advisable to have someone accompany you and drive you back home.

Get adequate rest before the appointment: Ensure you get sufficient rest before the eye health examination. Sometimes, special diagnostic tests may require concentration, such as computerized visual field testing (CVTF).


4. Bring relevant documents: If you have any previous eye health examination results or other related reports, it is beneficial to bring them along. This allows the doctor to review and use them as additional information to assess your eye condition.


5. Schedule an appointment in advance and arrive slightly early: Plan your appointment in advance and aim to arrive a little early. This allows for any necessary paperwork and ensures a smooth and timely examination process.


6. Prepare questions for the eye doctor: Consider preparing any questions you may have for the optometrist or ophthalmologist. This will help you address any concerns or seek clarification during the examination.


Additionally, it may be helpful to contact the hospital or clinic where you will be receiving the eye examination for specific instructions on how to prepare.

 

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this content is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship and should not be relied upon for medical decisions. Users are advised to seek professional medical advice for any specific medical condition and should not disregard or delay in obtaining such advice. The author and publisher of this content are not liable for any errors, omissions, or consequences arising from the use of the information provided. Use this content at your own risk and discretion.


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