When was the last time you had your eyes checked? Getting your eyes checked regularly should be part of your annual preventative health care routine and is equally as important to your health as your annual physical exam.

A dilated, comprehensive eye exam is the most effective method for diagnosing unhealthy eyes and eye conditions. Many eye conditions, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration often have no early symptoms and can only be detected in an eye exam. When detected early, many eye conditions can be treated, which can prevent vision loss.

How to know it is time for an eye exam

Though you should maintain routine eye exams, there are certain signs and symptoms to watch for that may warrant an immediate appointment with your eye doctor. If you experience any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your eye care professional today:

• Decreasing or double vision
• Eye pain
• Red eye or eye drainage
• Diabetes
• Flashes or floaters
• Circles or halos around light

How to prepare for your eye exam

Before you see your eye doctor, be sure you know your family eye health history. Some eye conditions are hereditary, and just as your doctor should know of any family history of heart disease, diabetes or cancer, your eye doctor should know of any family history of eye conditions or eye disease. Knowing your family eye health history and informing your eye doctor of any family history of eye conditions will help determine if you may be at a higher risk of developing these conditions.

What you can expect during your eye exam

During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will run a series of tests to look for signs of eye disease and/or vision impairment. What your doctor finds during your exam will help guide the exam and may call for supplemental tests. A comprehensive exam may include procedures including (but not limited to):

• Measurements of visual activity
• Tests of specific vision functions
• Eye health evaluation
• Refraction tests
• Eye focusing, eye teaming and eye movement testing

Based on the findings of your exam, your eye doctor will provide recommendations for treatment and/or vision correction. Recommendations may include contact lenses, prescription glasses or and LASIK eye surgery.

Have you had your eyes checked in the last year? If not, contact the Dallas vision experts at the Key-Whitman Eye Center to schedule your comprehensive eye exam today!