Celebrate Vision Health Month by Getting Your Eyes Examined, Optometrist Group Says

Margarida Azevedo, MSc avatar

by Margarida Azevedo, MSc |

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The Canadian Association of Optometrists is urging peopleĀ to have theirĀ eyes examined regularly as a part of their preventive care routine. The plea, an education initiative for May ā€” which is Vision Health Month ā€” stresses that comprehensive eye exams are important even for people with good vision, because they help to detect both eye disease and conditions that may affectĀ the eyes, such as tumors, liverĀ disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS).

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, vision problems are among theĀ first symptoms of MS for many people. TheseĀ symptoms include optic neuritis, inflammation of the optic nerve, or damage to nerve pathways responsible for eye movements and visual coordination, derived from the damage the disease does to myelin. Such damage results in the slowing down of information traveling betweenĀ the brain and they eyes, and may lead to double vision, blurred vision, or blindness. Comprehensive eye exams canĀ lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Other illnesses associated with eye problems includeĀ aneurysms, autoimmune disorders, and thyroid, sickle cell, and Parkinson’s disease.

Studies have reported that Canadians whoĀ usuallyĀ skip eye exams believe theyĀ have goodĀ vision and healthy eyes. ButĀ even in people with good vision, optometrists can detect changesĀ in the eyesā€™ blood vessels, optic nerves, and other structures that contain clues to possible health concerns.

“Think of it as a physical for your eyes,” said Dr. Barry Thienes, president of the Canadian Association of Optometrists, in a press release. “Through a series of tests and procedures, optometrists can help detect conditions before other physical effects are noticed, allowing them to work closely with other primary health care providers to improve patient outcomes.”

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends that adults have an eye exam every two years and, for those over 65, an annual eye exam is recommended.Ā For children, the association recommends a first exam between 6Ā and 9Ā months of age, a second eye exam between 2Ā and 5 years old, and then annually after starting school.