There are great reasons to have your eyes examined today rather than waiting until a more convenient time. The condition of your eyes can help medical professionals to diagnose other problems besides vision difficulties (Source: Londonderry Eye Care). Failure to find an eye disease or other health condition quickly can lead to a reduction of vision or blindness. A basic eye examination requires less than an hour but offers excellent benefits.

One: Finding Diabetic Retinopathy

If you have diabetes mellitus, then complications are often possible, including diabetic retinopathy. The majority of individuals with diabetes mellitus for 10 years or longer develop diabetic retinopathy. An eye specialist may notice abnormalities in the blood vessels on the back of the eye or retina that indicates fundus photography is necessary. With fast specialized laser treatment, you can avoid loss of vision or total blindness.

Two: Diagnosing Cataracts Early

Cataracts are common due to aging, but there are other reasons a cloudy lens occurs inside an eye. Metabolic disorders, trauma and cigarette smoking increases the chances of developing cataracts in your eyes. An optometrist can find a cloudy lens in its earliest stages to provide treatment with topical eye drops or simple laser surgery. A more complicated surgical technique is required to remove the lens from your eye when the condition progresses.

Three: Diagnosing Macular Edema

Thickening or swelling in the eye’s macula region leads to protein and fluid deposits, causing vision distortion. The macula is located in the back of your eye on the retina toward the middle, leading to a loss of central vision. During an eye examination, an optometrist may notice the loss of central vision to proceed with additional tests. Treatment for this condition includes injections of prescription medications.

Four: Easy Glaucoma Testing

When you have an eye examination, the optometrist must perform a glaucoma test using a device that shoots a blast of air at your eyeball. This testing process is painless and requires only a few seconds to measure fluid pressure in the eye. Excess fluid in the eyeball damages the optic nerve, leading to loss of vision or blindness without fast treatment with medicated eye drops.

Contact an Optometrist When Unusual Eye Symptoms Occur

Experts recommend yearly eye examinations for everyone, including children, teenagers and adults to find conditions that can affect vision to provide treatments or prescribe eyeglasses. If you are experiencing unusual symptoms such as blurry vision, pain or double images, then schedule an eye examination right away rather than waiting for a year.