The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association recommend that all adults, even those without signs or risk factors for eye disease, get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40.
Why? Well, simply put, the earlier eye disease is diagnosed, the better the chance your vision will stay healthy as you age. Some common eye diseases can start to develop without any symptoms, and 40 is the age when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to occur. So even though your eyes may feel fine and your vision is good, take the time to schedule that screening at 40. Based on the results of the initial screening, your eye doctor will develop a schedule for follow-up exams.
Age-related eye diseases including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration are expected to dramatically increase — from 28 million today to 43 million by the year 2020. Left untreated, these diseases can cause serious vision loss and blindness. At the heart of this upsurge lie America’s 78 million baby boomers, who will increasingly face the effects of eye diseases as they get older.
It is important that you should see an eye doctor right away if you have symptoms of or risk factors for eye diseases such as diabetes, have high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease.
Much like regular mammograms and diabetes screenings, eye disease screening will help identify signs of disease at an early stage, when many treatments can have the greatest impact.
The optometric physicians at Florida Eye Health are primary eye care providers who specialize in examination and diagnosis of eye diseases, vision conditions, testing for eyeglasses and contact lenses, and provide pre and post-operative care of surgery patients. You may schedule an appointment online or call one of our five convenient locations.
