(NC)-One day you woke up and said, "My eyes aren't what they used to be." Every one of us will experience changes in our eyes and vision with age. We are fortunate to have access to optometrists who can assess and expertly advise on the best care for our eyes. Dr. Lillian Linton focuses her expertise on common questions about aging eyes and eye health for you to consider:
Question: My friend told me that the blurriness I'm experiencing might be a sign of cataracts. But on the Internet, I read that it is also a symptom of glaucoma and macular degeneration. How do I know for sure?
Answer: Common eye conditions affecting baby boomers can include glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. The only definitive way to diagnose your condition is to visit your optometrist to be tested. Your optometrist will use a number of techniques to assess any potential vision or eye health problems, and will keep a file of that information in order to keep track of changes in your eye health or vision. Regular visits to your optometrist are recommended.
Question: How frequently should I have my eyes examined?
Answer: Many factors will influence the frequency of your eye examination, and the optometrist will weigh these factors in deciding when you should be seen again. However, the Canadian Association of Optometrists has established general guidelines which can assist you in determining the need for follow-up examination.
CAO recommends that Canadians have their eyes examined along the following minimum recommended guidelines:
• Infants and toddlers (birth to 24 months) - By age 6 months
• Preschool (2 to 5 years) - At age 3, and prior to entering elementary school
• School age (6 to 19 years) - Annually
• Adult (20 to 64 years) - Every one to two years
• Older adult (65 years and older) - Annually
Question: My eyes feel fine and my vision is 20/20. Why do I need an exam?
Answer: 20/20 does not mean your eyes are healthy. Often serious eye disease presents itself with no warnings or symptoms. An optometrist knows your eyes inside and out and a comprehensive eye examination gives you information about the health of the eyes, and can also offer indications about diseases that also affect the whole body, like diabetes and hypertension.
For more information about eye health for you and your family, or to find an optometrist in your area visit www.opto.ca.
- News Canada