Category Archives: Eye Exam Information

Eye exams and why they are important

Annual eye exams can detect serious health problems.

Did you know that many people first learn they have serious health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even cancer from — yes, you guessed it — a routine eye exam.

Our eyes have been called “the window to our soul.” It turns out, they also are often a very effective window to our overall health.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor can observe and evaluate the health and condition of the blood vessels in your retina, which are a good predictor of the health of blood vessels throughout your body. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia all are visible by changes in the appearance of the retinal blood supply and blood vessels.

Annual eye exams are especially important for anyone with diabetes or who might be at risk for the disease (due to obesity, family history or other reasons). More than 30 million Americans with diabetes and another 84 million who have prediabetes are at risk for developing diabetic eye disease, the leading cause of blindness among adults. In its early stages, diabetic eye disease has no visible symptoms; only a comprehensive eye exam can detect signs of the disease so treatment can begin soon enough to prevent vision loss.

Also, research is advancing to develop an eye test to identify your risk for Alzheimer’s disease that may soon be performed during a comprehensive eye exam.

Don’t put it off — schedule an eye exam today

Even if you think you have perfect vision, an annual eye exam can be one of the best things you can do to protect the overall health and wellness of you and your loved ones.

Don’t put if off any longer — contact us for an eye exam today.

One In Four US Children May Have Vision Problems That Could Impair Learning, AOA Says

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (7/27, Sultan) reports, “One in four children in the US have undetected vision problems which could impair learning, according to the American Optometric Association.” Because “approximately 80 percent of learning comes through a child’s eye,” some experts believe that sending children “to school without good vision could be setting them up for failure or even cause them to be misdiagnosed with a learning disability.

Children who need eyeglasses or contact lenses should be examined annually as their vision often changes rapidly as they age.

Eyes Reflect Overall Health

A comprehensive eye exam looks at many facets of” both eye and overall health. The eyes “hold clues to other events in the body, and the condition of the body affects the eyes. This is important, because some conditions, particularly circulatory issues” and diabetes, may seriously affect vision and the eyes themselves. Often, early signs these diseases will first show up in the eyes. An annual comprehensive eye exam is one of the best early detection methods available. If you want to save money, save it by skipping a dining excursion out on the town, but don’t neglect your eye health.

Fine Eyewear & Eyecare is a full service eye care facility specializing in Glaucoma management and early detection of Glaucoma and other systemic problems. Our eye care facility is staffed by an eye doctor and we’re are near Avery Ranch in the 78717 zip code. We’re located in the Heb shopping center at Parmer and 1431.  You can find more information at www.FineEyewear.Net

Why Get an Eye Exam – I don’t need glasses ???

There is much talk today about nationalizing medical insurance, wellness care and of course maximizing the health care dollar. Eyecare plays a major role in preventive health care. Diagnosing systemic diseases as diabetes and hypertension, serious eye diseases that can cause blindness like glaucoma, and even enhanced school performance are all important reasons why eyecare needs to be a part of any major healthcare initiatives.

New studies and estimates on the clear connection between eye exams and disease detection, workplace productivity and healthy lifestyles .  Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of School of Public Health, the International Centre for Eyecare Education, the University of New South Wales and the African Vision Research Institute reported that corrected vision impairment could prevent billions of dollars in lost productivity annually.

The study is published in the June 2009 issue of the Bulletin of the World Health Organization.