Eye Care Is about More Than Just Your Eyes

Why is it important for you to get an eye exam even if your vision is perfect or near perfect? There are several reasons to get an eye exam that have more to do with the rest of your body than just your eyes.

There are many health issues that can affect your eyesight:

* High blood pressure
* Diabetes
* High cholesterol

Moreover, these health issues may be detected earlier by having an eye exam. Of course, there are also health issues related to the eye that you would want to know about.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve in the eye. This optic nerve carries information from the eye to the brain. When pressure is higher than normal inside the eye, glaucoma is the result.

Since symptoms do not typically appear until some damage or loss of sight occurs, it is very important to see your eye practitioner for regular exams where intraocular pressure is measured. There are several different types of glaucoma, as well as treatments, and even preventative measures.

Cataracts

A cataract is another form of eye disease. Here the eye develops a cloudy film which inhibits light passing into the retina. Cataracts typically form as you age when dead cells shed and form cloudy spots on the lens.

Surgery is necessary to remove the cataracts and it is a very common procedure today. There are several types of cataracts and they are treatable. The best defense against cataracts is to have regular eye exams to monitor them.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is typically the number one cause of vision loss and/or blindness in persons who are aged 65 and over. When the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp vision, deteriorates, central vision loss may occur.

Having a retinal exam and performing a test to measure your central vision is crucial to detecting if macular degeneration is an issue.

While there may or may not be signs or symptoms to any or all of these eye diseases, there are certainly ways to improve your sight or minimize these eye diseases.

For example, the following may be ways to improve your eyesight and be beneficial for your overall health, as well:

* Cardiovascular activity
* Eating healthy
* Regular exercise
* Taking vitamins

These activities will also keep things such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol at bay, which, in turn, may just safeguard not only your health, but your vision as well.