If you have ever had a comprehensive eye exam before, you likely noticed that it took longer and involved more testing than regular eye exams that just test your vision. A comprehensive exam involves dilating your eyes. While no one really enjoys having their eyes dilated, it is an important part of a complete exam and here’s why!
What Does Dilation Accomplish?
By putting eye drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils, more light is allowed in your eyes. Your eye doctor can then get a better view of the back of your eye. This helps the doctor diagnose common eye diseases and health conditions, preferably at their earliest stages. Such conditions include:
- Glaucoma
- Retinal detachment
- Macular degeneration
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
Who Needs Comprehensive Eye Exams?
Eye dilation may not be necessary for all patients at all eye exams. However, eye doctors recommend that adults 60 or older have a dilated or Optomap eye exam every one to two years. However, there are reasons why your doctor may recommend that you have your eyes dilated if you are young than 60 years old:
- You have a history of eye diseases like a retinal detachment or other problems that affect the back of your eye.
- You have health conditions, like diabetes that increase your risk of eye disease.
- You are at a higher risk for certain eye diseases, like glaucoma because of your ethnic background.
- You have had an injury to your eye or have scheduled an exam because of vision concerns.
Do not put your vision at risk by skipping your yearly eye exams. Call Valley Eyecare Center at 602-955-2700 or schedule your appointment online for your comprehensive eye exam.
