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Question and Answer June14 large graphic“I haven’t had an eye exam in I don’t know how long! Do I really need one even if I don’t notice any problems with my vision?” – Paige via email

That is a great question Paige, and the answer is that a yearly eye and vision exam is important to your overall health care. Eyes are important for two big reasons. The first is that the eye itself is a very small, delicate organ. It doesn’t take a lot of damage or disease to cause serious problems with the eyes or to impede their function. Diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, cholesterol, macular degeneration, and refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism) are just a few of the issues that can affect how the eyes actually see. Diagnosing these disorders early through regular eye care almost always results in a better prognosis than waiting until they become a more serious issue. The second reason that eye exams are important is because the eyes truly are the window to the body. The blood vessels in the retina are not privileged, meaning that if disease is manifesting in the retinal blood vessels, it is also likely manifesting in blood vessel networks in the kidneys, brain, and elsewhere in the body. The eye is unique however, in that the blood vessels in the retina are easily visible (through a dilated pupil) to our optometrists. Like the dipstick in a car engine, your eyes tell us a great deal about the overall health of your body. For these reasons, even asymptomatic patients are encouraged to have yearly eye check-ups.

“My eyes have been itching and red all summer, any suggestions?” – Phil via email

This is the time of year to have ocular allergies manifest as allergic conjunctivitis. The symptoms are often a watery, red, itchy set of eyes. While very annoying, and often times detrimental to comfort and crisp vision, eye allergies are usually easy to treat. There are several treatment options depending the cause and type of allergies including topical antihistamines (both prescription and over-the-counter) and topical steroid drops. If you wear contact lenses and suffer from allergies, a daily disposable contact lens is a great option that allows a contact coated in potential allergens to be discarded and replaced with a fresh lens each day. Frequently washing your pillowcase is another great method to prevent allergens from getting to your eyes. Schedule your annual check-up or medical allergy appointment today with one of our eye doctors to make your allergies a thing of the past:

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Ready to schedule your annual eye check-up?

Ready to schedule your annual eye check-up?