The Crucial Health Exam You’re Probably Not Getting

Vision changes can be a regular part of aging, but in some cases, you could unknowingly be speeding up your way to complete vision loss. Just like your annual physical examination, having your vision checked is also crucial. Early interventions in vision changes can potentially save your vision.

Glaucoma is an eye disorder that contributes to blindness worldwide. Many people don’t realize that they have glaucoma until drastic changes in their vision occur. By then, it may be too late, and this is why it’s so important to undergo regular eye examinations so that glaucoma can be detected early on.

Glaucoma contributes to vision loss by damaging the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. The longer glaucoma is left untreated, the higher the risk of irreversible vision loss.

It is recommended that adults by the age of 40 undergo a comprehensive eye examination, which means taking a closer look at the optic nerve to detect any signs of damage.

Risk factors of glaucoma include being over the age of 40; being of Hispanic, Asian, or African heritage; being farsighted or nearsighted; experiencing eye trauma; having thinner corneas in the center, and having diabetes, migraines, hypertension, or poor blood circulation.

There are treatment methods for glaucoma, but treatment is only as effective as how early it is detected. Glaucoma often goes symptomless, so early detection is done through regular eye examinations. If you have a family history of glaucoma, you may have a higher risk of developing it.

If you haven’t had your vision checked in quite some time, now may be the best time to start saving your vision.

Also read:

• Glaucoma: Natural home remedies and diet
• Top foods to boost your eyesight and vision
• How to improve vision: 11 home remedies to improve eye health