Eye health is essential to overall well-being, but it is often overlooked until problems arise. Our eyes allow us to interact with the world and reveal early signs of common health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart disease. Maintaining good eye health can improve quality of life, help preserve vision in the long term, and prevent conditions that could lead to vision loss or blindness.

Regular eye exams

Regular eye exams are a fundamental part of maintaining optimal eye health. It’s not just about getting a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. Instead, it’s a decisive check-up for your eyes, providing a thorough evaluation of your visual system and eye health. Regular eye exams can detect eye diseases and disorders early, often before noticeable symptoms occur.

What are some common eye problems?

1. Cataracts: Cataracts are characterised by blurry vision or difficulty seeing at night caused by clouding of the eye lens, commonly found in older adults.
2. Glaucoma: A group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve, often due to high pressure in the eye. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss if not treated early.
3. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) damages the macula, the eye area that regulates fine detail vision. AMD causes reduced or diminished central vision.
4. Diabetic retinopathy: A complication of diabetes that affects the retina's blood vessels, leading to blindness.
5. Dry eye: This occurs when your tears don't provide adequate lubrication for your eyes. Dry eye can cause discomfort and vision problems.

How can you prevent vision loss and damage?

Prevention is always better than cure, especially for eyes. For instance, conditions like glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss if not treated promptly. Regular eye exams ensure that such conditions are diagnosed and treated before they can cause significant damage.

Monitoring eye health

Monitoring eye health can track changes in vision and eye health over time, helping to find potential problems that may require further investigation or treatment. Regular eye exams also provide an opportunity to update prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses, ensuring optimal vision correction.

Tips to maintain and improve eye health:

1. Screen breaks: After prolonged periods of screen time, make sure to take breaks. A common method is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eye strain.
2. Eye hygiene: Regularly washing your eyes with clean water can help remove dust and prevent irritation. Avoid touching your eyes with dirty hands to prevent infections.
3. Healthy diet: Include foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals like copper and zinc in your diet. Eat plenty of leafy greens, eggs, citrus fruits, and fatty fish. These foods can help maintain good eye health. 

To get a customized diet plan to help with eye health, consult a dietitian.

4. Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dry eyes.
5. Eye exercises: Regular eye exercises can help maintain optimal vision and prevent eye strain. Simple exercises include rolling your eyes, focusing on different distances, and warming your eyes with your palms.
6. Regular check-ups: Regular eye check-ups are crucial for detecting problems early and maintaining good eye health.

Who should get regular eye exams?

All-age groups

Regular eye exams are essential for all age groups. For children, these exams can help detect vision problems that might affect their academic performance. Adults, specifically those over 40, should have regular eye exams to check for age-related eye conditions such as presbyopia, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Those with a family history of eye problems

Individuals with a family history of eye problems are at a higher risk of having similar conditions. If your parents or siblings have been diagnosed with eye diseases such as glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration, early detection allows for more effective treatment.

People with certain health conditions

People with certain health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, should also have regular eye exams. These conditions can lead to eye problems like diabetic retinopathy or hypertensive retinopathy. Regular eye exams can help monitor for these conditions and ensure timely treatment to prevent vision loss.

Overview of the examination method

An eye exam is a comprehensive procedure that involves a series of tests to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. It is performed by an eye care professional and can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. The examination typically includes a discussion about your medical history of vision and checking your eye alignment.

1. Visual acuity test: A standard eye chart test that measures how well you see at various distances. You'll be asked to read letters or symbols from a chart to determine the smallest size you can see clearly.
2. Colour blindness test: This test helps find colour vision problems that could impact your daily life or indicate certain eye health problems.
3. Cover test: This common test checks how well your eyes work together. Covering one eye at a time while focusing on a distant object allows your doctor to observe if your uncovered eye wanders to catch the covered eye's gaze, which could suggest strabismus or a more subtle binocular vision impairment that causes eye strain or "lazy eye."
4. Ocular Motility (Eye Movements): This test measures your eyes' ability to follow a moving target and promptly move between two targets. This is important for sports and activities like reading, which require accurate eye movements.
5. Stereopsis (Depth perception) test: This test determines your eyes' ability to coordinate and perceive depth.

Schedule regular eye exams with your doctor to safeguard your vision and overall health.

FAQs

1. What can be done to prevent eye problems? 

While there is no definitive remedy, consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, or collard greens, is beneficial for maintaining eye health. Eating omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut has also been proven to improve eye health.

2. Why should you have regular eye exams?

Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining good eye health and overall well-being. In India, almost 76 lakh people suffer from easily correctable cataracts and refractive problems. Regular eye exams are vital for detecting eye disorders early and maintaining vision.