Sight Saving Tests for Older Eyes

Eye Safety and Health from Eyes.com

As you age, your vision will begin to diminish. Everyone will eventually experience presbyopia, an age-related disorder in which your lens hardens and diminishes near vision. This condition is easily detectable and can be treated with both surgical and nonsurgical methods. If left untreated, presbyopia will not lead to complete vision loss, but a host of other age-related vision disorders can.

Age-related vision disorders that can lead to complete vision loss include cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Lifestyle choices like smoking may increase your risk for these disorders, but in many cases they are simply a part of the aging process. The slow onset of these disorders can easily be detected during your routine eye exams.

After the age of 50, it is important to see your eye doctor ever year. In instances such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, there is no cure. Prompt treatment is essential for reducing your risk of blindness.

Testing Older Eyes

During your regular examinations you will receive a refraction test. This test is used throughout your life to gauge your vision capabilities and find the correct prescription for necessary eyewear. This test can also give your eye doctor early indications of things such as cataracts, thyroid disorders, and diabetes.

Another common test is a dilated retinal examination which provides information on a number of both eye and systemic disorders. This quick and painless test is used to dilate your pupil, providing your eye doctor with a clear view of your retina, and enabling them to spot vision disorders such as macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as other health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Other tests your eye doctor may perform include:

Eye pressure test to check for glaucoma
Vision field test to check for glaucoma, aneurisms, tumors, and strokes
Slit lamp test to check for dry eyes, corneal dystrophies, eyelid diseases, and cancerous growths

All of these tests are painless and covered under most insurance plans and by Medicaid. Seeing your eye doctor every year to have these simple sight saving tests performed can ensure that any vision or health disorder you may develop do not become serious issues.

If you are over the age of 50 and would like to schedule an eye examination, please find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area to set up an initial evaluation today.