Comprehensive Eye and Vision Exams
Marlane J. Brown, O.D.

The doctors involved with Improve Your Vision would like to express the importance of routine eye exams. The reason is simple! Problems can develop within your eyes that can lead to blindness. Many of these problems can be prevented if the eye disease or condition is detected at an early stage.

At most ophthalmology practices the comprehensive eye exam is designed to meet the ocular and visual needs of our everyday patient population. Everyday life can be hard on your eyes and your local ophthalmology practice wants to provide you with the best eye care possible.

Comprehensive eye examinations typically include:

• Refractive vision correction (spectacles, contact lenses and referral for refractive surgery).
• Medical treatment of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis and dry eye.
• Diabetic eye evaluations.
• Evaluation and recommendation for both eye surgery (for cataracts and corneal opacification) and laser treatment (for diabetes, glaucoma, retinal holes and tears).
• Recommendations for subspecialty eye care as needed

The goal of a comprehensive eye examination is to allow patients to have the best possible vision while addressing ocular health issues. Most eye care professionals are dedicated to delivering quality primary eye care to patients, including making sure patients are comfortable throughout an examination and that patients understand everything they need to know about their eyes.

Comprehensive Eye and Vision Examination
Marlane J. Brown, OD, FAAO
Minnesota Eye Consultants

Why is it important to have eye exams?

Eighty per cent (80%) of all the sensory information going to the brain is visual in origin. Eye and vision disorders may cause disability, suffering, and loss of productivity. Early detection and treatment of eye and vision disorders may minimize the damage and disability that may result from their neglect.

As a person ages, the need for eye and vision care increases. The prevalence of ocular and systemic disease increases with age, and normal age-related changes in vision and in the eye itself make comprehensive eye and vision care services particularly important for the older adult.

Conservative estimates suggest that 54% of the US population wears glasses to correct vision. Nine percent (9%) of these wear contact lenses. Twenty five percent (25%) of people are nearsighted, and between 50-60% have astigmatism. Presbyopia, or the need for bifocals, usually begins between age 38 and 45, and by the age of 50-52 it is virtually 100%.

Cataract is a naturally occurring change in the aging eye. It is a significant cause of decreased vision. By the age of 75-85, nearly everyone has developed some cataracts. Approximately 42% of persons between the age of 52 and 64 have some opacities of the lens.

Glaucoma can be detected in a comprehensive eye exam. This disease affects an estimated 1.6 million Americans over the age of 40. Unfortunately, approximately half of all patients with glaucoma do not know they have it. Glaucoma in its most common form does not have symptoms until the disease is advanced.

Diabetes can cause significant visual loss or blindness. Diabetic retinopathy occurs in approximately 5-7 million Americans. Patients with diabetes should have annual exams at least to allow them the opportunity to have any diabetic eye disease detected, diagnosed and treated.

Macular degeneration is a severe cause of vision loss in persons over 50. An estimated 38% of those 75 years of older have some level of age related macular degeneration.

For the reasons mentioned above, and for optimal health of the eyes and of vision, patients should consider regular eye examinations.