Eye exams are an essential part of maintaining healthy vision and eye health. The length of the exam depends on the optometrist's office and the type of exam being performed. It's important to get as much information as possible about your family's eye health before booking an appointment, as many eye conditions have no symptoms and can go unnoticed until they reach an advanced stage. Regular visits to the optometrist are key to ensuring proper eye care, as some diseases may not show symptoms until it's too late to treat them.
During the exam, your optometrist will likely dilate your pupils and ask you to remove your contact lenses, so be sure to bring your lens cover. Even if you think your vision is fine, it's important to have an eye exam as an adult in order to maintain healthy vision. The optometrist will evaluate your eye health and vision, including visual acuity, color blindness, eye focus, and depth perception. An annual eye exam should be performed regardless of your general health.
Common inherited eye conditions include glaucoma, which is caused by abnormally high pressure inside the eye and can damage the optic nerve. After age 40, aging begins to take its toll on the eyes and many conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and presbyopia become more common.
