Taking care of your eyes is crucial for maintaining clear vision and overall health. Getting routine eye exams can help detect potential vision problems early and ensure your eyes stay healthy.
At Eyecare Associates, we provide comprehensive eye exams that check your vision and assess your eyes' overall health, using advanced technology to ensure accurate diagnosis and personalized care.
Visit any of our vision centers in Fort Collins, Windsor, Wellington, or Loveland.
Why Are Routine Eye Exams Important?
A comprehensive eye exam is much more than a vision test. It involves an evaluation of your eye health to prevent serious complications and vision loss. The key benefits of routine eye exams include:
- Early Detection of Eye Diseases: Regular eye exams can detect early eye disease signs. Examples include glaucoma and cataracts, which may not show symptoms in the beginning.
- Vision Correction Updates: Over time, your vision changes. Regular exams ensure your prescription is up to date, helping you maintain sharp, comfortable vision.
- Detection of Other Health Conditions: Eye exams reveal underlying health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. Blood vessels and nerves visible at the back of your eyes allow these diagnoses to happen.
What to Expect During a Comprehensive Eye Exam
During a comprehensive eye exam, patients undergo a thorough evaluation that includes several key steps:
- Vision Testing: Using an eye chart, we’ll assess your visual acuity, or how clearly you can see. This helps determine if you need prescription glasses or contacts.
- Refraction Test: This standard test measures any refractive errors and adjusts your prescription for new eyeglasses or contact lenses.
- Eye Health Check: Your eye doctor appointment will also include a detailed exam of your retina, optic nerve, and other parts of the eye.
- Eye Pressure Test: We’ll measure the pressure inside your eyes using a tonometer to detect glaucoma.
- Contact Fitting Exam: We will perform a contact lens exam and fitting if you wear contact lenses. This is beneficial for updating your prescription and ensuring the lenses fit your vision needs.
How Often Should You Have a Routine Eye Exam?
Your age, health, and vision status will determine how often you need a comprehensive eye exam. As a general rule:
- Children (0-18 years): Kids need to have their first pediatric eye exam by six months, another exam at age three, and annual check-ups once they start school.
- Adults (18-60 years): Adults should have an eye exam every two years or annually if they wear glasses or contacts.
- Seniors (61 years and older): Seniors should schedule a yearly eye exam to monitor for serious conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today at Eyecare Associates
Don’t wait until vision problems arise—take control of your eye health by scheduling a comprehensive eye exam in Fort Collins, Windsor, Wellington, and Loveland.