What part does vision play in daily life?

Adults rely on good vision for almost every part of their lives. They need it to do their jobs, drive a car, fix dinner, and interact with people around them. Vision problems can create difficulties that make every day living a challenge.

The most common problems with adult vision are refractive changes, eye strain and accidental eye injuries.

• Refractive changes include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Treatment options include wearing corrective lenses like glasses or contacts. Surgery, like LASIK, is another option.
• Eye strain happens when a person focuses on something too long or without taking sufficient breaks. A couple of common reasons for eye strain are reading too long or doing computer work for several hours in a row.
• Eye injuries can happen in any number of ways. Playing sports like racquetball and soccer can increase the chance of eye injury. Work-related accidents are also a major contributor.

In any case, an eye doctor can diagnose eye problems and offer a treatment regimen specifically tailored to the patient’s needs. The key is having an annual exam so that minor issues don’t become major ones.

What eye problems typically show up after the age of 40?

The chances of having certain eye problems begins to increase around age 40. A routine exam, every year, can detect these problems early and help ensure you get the treatment needed. This simple act can prevent permanent vision impairment or blindness from developing.

Some conditions that begin occurring in this age range can include:

• Presbyopia – A natural deterioration of the eye’s ability to focus at close distances. This is often treated with bi-focal glasses.
• Glaucoma – This condition causes changes in eye pressure which can cause damage to the optic nerve, gradually leading to impaired vision and even blindness.
• Diabetic Retinopathy – As an adult with diabetes ages, the damage done to blood vessels can increase. This damage can happen in the retina of the eye which leads to impaired vision and even blindness.
• Macular Degeneration – The center part of the retina is the part that helps a person focus on the fine details needed for reading, driving and other common tasks. When this area begins to degenerate, it can interfere with daily living.

Other issues happen as part of the aging process. Some of the issues adults develop at this age include:

• Vision issues in low light
• Difficulty reading and doing close work
• Glare problems
• Color perception changes
• Reduction in tear production

Routine eye exams can detect problems early. The eye doctor can prescribe solutions and help the patient work through these natural changes.

How often do children need an eye exam?

According to the American Optometric Association, an infant should have their first eye exam between 6 and 12 months of age. This helps detect any significant vision problems before permanent vision loss and developmental delays can occur.

The next exam should take place around age 3 to detect problems like nearsightedness and farsightedness early. It allows for correction before the child enters school. This exam also detects other vision issues that could delay development and impede learning. A third exam should be performed before the child enters first grade at age 5 or 6 to catch any problems before the child starts the formal learning process.

After this, doctors often recommend an eye exam every year or two. Having an annual eye exam will detect any vision issues before they become major problems. For kids wearing corrective lenses, an annual exam is almost mandatory due to the potential of prescription changes that can happen as the child grows.

Who should you trust to examine your child’s eyes?

The Doctors of Optometry and supporting staff at St. Luke Eye Institute are the leading eye care and eyewear specialists in Amarillo, Texas and the surrounding Texas Panhandle. Call us at (806) 359-3937. We’ll help you make an appointment that works for your schedule. If you are in the area, visit our office located at 5311 Southwest 9th Avenue in Amarillo, Texas. Whether you need information or simply have questions, click “Contact Us” to send us a message. For your convenience, you can even schedule an appointment online by clicking on “Schedule an Appointment” on our Home Page.

Let us hear from you today, don’t wait any longer to start receiving the best eye care possible for your entire family.