Kennedy Vision Health Center

Eye Exams

Our office promotes yearly eye health examinations for preventative eye care and up to date prescriptions. Most prescription changes are gradual and people do not realize how poorly they are seeing.  Also, many eye diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration do not have early warning symptoms that are detectable by patients.  Many other systemic illnesses may also show early signs in the eyes, and many systemic diseases can affect your vision.  During your examination our doctors will look for signs of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, Multiple Sclerosis, and much more.  Of course, an eye examination cannot take the place of a general physical by your medical doctor. However, your eyes may reveal more about your health than you know.  There is a lot more to an eye health examination than just checking your glasses or contact lens prescription.

To our doctors, you eyes are window to your overall health.  Many illnesses show their earliest signs in the eyes, and many diseases can affect you vision.  During your routine eye exam our doctors will:

• Measure the shape, size, and curvature of you eyes
• Check your visual acuity
• Measure your visual field
• Check your depth perception
• Check your color vision
• Check your eye muscles and nerves
• Measure your prescription (distance, computer, and near)
• Measure your focusing system
• Measure your eye teaming ability
• Evaluate the health of the front part of you eye
• Measure your eye pressure
• Dilate or Optomap Photos
• Evaluate the health of the inside of your eye
• Review and recommend all options and treatments for you

Someone in your family may be at risk, check out these alarming statistics:

• One in four school-age children has an undiagnosed vision problem that interferes with learning.
• People age forty and older are at greater risk for glaucoma, cataract, and other potentially sight-stealing diseases.
• Glaucoma is the number one cause of preventable vision loss in people over the age of 40.
• Macular Degeneration is the number one cause of blindness in people over the age of 65 in the United States.
• It is estimated that the number of people who have Macular Degeneration will double in the next 13 years.
• Older drivers with vision impairment are 200% more likely to be involved in an auto accident.
• More than 10 Million Americans suffer serious vision and health problems as a result of computer usage
• Wearing protective eyewear could have prevented more that 90 percent of all sports-related eye injuries. 

Did You Know? 

Half of all blindness can be prevented, yet the number of people suffering vision loss continues to increase. Having an annual eye exam is crucial in protecting your and your family’s eyesight. Annual exams allow your doctor to detect changes in the front of your eye so alterations can be made to your eyeglass or contact lens prescription. However, your doctor also needs to look at the inside and back of your eye, the retina, to check that it is healthy and not damaged or showing signs of disease. Many eye diseases, if detected early, can be treated successfully without total vision loss.

Regular eye care, by means of annual eye exams can uncover both eye and systemic (entire body) problems. If these problems are left untreated, there is a risk of disability, suffering, and loss of productivity. The goals of an eye exam are to avoid or minimize adverse effects on the eye and vision, as well as to identify potential problems early in order to prevent any problems from getting worse, and potentially leading to vision loss. 

Check Yearly See Clearly:

Your family counts on you for a lot of important things.  Make sure healthy vision, which improves everyday activities at work, home, and play, is one of them.  Take time today to schedule an eye exam for each family member – including seniors.

Still not sure you need an eye exam?  Close your eyes and imagine what it is like to live in a world of darkness.  Now open your eyes and schedule an appointment for yourself and every member of your family.  After all, an hour of time is a small price to pay for healthy vision.