Many seniors who are otherwise conscientious about their health, and who attend regular dental and doctor checkups, are sometimes less careful about their vision care. As people age, they are susceptible to a number of age-related eye issues that regular eye exams can catch. Often, early diagnosis and treatment can make the difference between clear sight and near-blindness. Below are some of the ways a yearly eye exam can help save your vision.

How Eye Exams Can Help Protect Your Vision

1. Dilation & Retinal Exam

When optometrists apply drops to your eyes to encourage pupil dilation, it allows them to inspect the retinas, or the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A common problem is damage to the blood vessels caused by diabetes. This can lead to diabetic retinopathy, resulting in blurred vision, spots, dark areas, or even blindness.

2. Tonometry Test

The tonometry test involves blowing a puff of air into the eye or applying pressure with a tiny device against the eye's surface, either of which measure the eye’s internal pressure. This test lets the optometrist know if you are at risk of glaucoma, which involves increased fluid pressure against the eyes.

3. Visual Field Tests

This part of an eye exam tests for blind spots and determines if you have problems with peripheral vision. It helps detect diseases such as glaucoma and can also provide early warning of the presence of tumors or undetected stroke damage.

4. Refraction Tests

As people reach age 50 and older, their lenses become less flexible, which often results in blurriness when looking at close objects. Refraction tests help detect changes in your prescription so the proper corrective lenses can be manufactured.

If you need to schedule an eye exam with a friendly, experienced optometrist before your deductible resets after the new year, contact West Valley Vision Center in Fairbanks, AK. They've been serving the region since 1994 and can handle nearly any vision needs, whether it's glasses, contact lenses, Lasik eye surgery, or treating eye disease. Visit their website to view a map and practice hours, or call (907) 479-4700 to make an appointment.