What can an eye exam detect?
If you’re considering booking in your next eye test, then you probably think you know what kind of things your optician will be looking for. But what can an eye exam detect? At Pritchard & Cowburn, we take a closer look at the kinds of vision and health issues an eye exam might be able to find.
What can an eye exam detect?
Perhaps you won’t be surprised that a routine eye exam is generally used to look for any changes in your vision. This can also cover common eye issues such as glaucoma, astigmatism, myopia, and problems with your optic nerve or retinas. You may expect that a skilled optician will be able to detect these problems while checking your vision – after all, they are focusing on your eyes. But you may be surprised at the number of other health issues that can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam.
High cholesterol
An optician may be able to spot signs of high cholesterol during an eye exam. They will suspect this if they see a ring surrounding your cornea. This will be especially notable if you are 40 years old or younger. If you’re not aware of this, your optician may recommend visiting your doctor.
Multiple sclerosis
If you have been experiencing such symptoms as blurry vision and eye pain when looking around, you might imagine you just need a new prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. However, a thorough eye exam will be able to detect or rule out the possibility of multiple sclerosis, as your optic nerve may show signs of inflammation.
Diabetes
During your eye exam, your optician will carefully assess the small blood vessels in your eyes. The first sign of diabetes can be diabetic retinopathy, which is when these small blood vessels are leaking slightly. Regular eye exams can result in early intervention treatment for diabetes that can protect you from losing your vision and other problems that occur when diabetes is left undetected and untreated.
Other conditions an eye exam can detect
Many health issues can be detected during a routine eye exam, from signs of rheumatoid arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and even certain kinds of cancer, as well as dietary deficiencies. In all likelihood, keeping up with your routine appointments could lead to finding the first signs of some fairly serious health complaints – and even if not, it will provide you with peace of mind.
What can an eye exam detect? Quite a lot, as it turns out! With standard eye tests being able to detect so many vision and health issues, you won’t want to delay in booking your own eye test in Cardigan or Narberth with Pritchard Cowburn opticians. We are bilingual opticians with expert credentials – we were founded in 1961 – but thoroughly modern practices. Get in touch to book your eye test or call to discuss your contact lens options today.