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Your eyes? Yeah - they're the ultimate HD screens, constantly streaming the world. From scrolling on TikTok, finding the perfect gem in a thrift store, to reading the expression on your loved one's face, the information your eyes process on a daily basis is endless. Your vision powers how you live life, so let’s take a moment to appreciate and prioritize it.

Keep reading to learn more about how your eyes really function, practical tips to help you protect your vision, and ensure it continues to serve you for years to come. We promise – this is eye-opening!

‘I Haven’t Been to the Eye Doctor Since 2012, and I’ve Never Needed Glasses.’

While you might have flawless 20/20 vision and no current eye concerns, eye exams are still highly recommended and a powerful tool in preventative healthcare. Here's a general guideline for how frequently you should consider an eye appointment based on your age - even if you have no prior eye conditions and if your eyes feel completely fine:

• Ages 20 to 39: Every 5 years.

• Ages 40 to 54: Every 2 to 4 years.

• Ages 55 to 64: Every 1 to 3 years.

• Ages 65 and up: Every 1 to 2 years.

You should get your eyes checked more frequently if you have any of the following:

• A family history of eye disease

• Certain chronic conditions, like diabetes or high blood pressure

• Taking medications that can affect your vision
  
  
• If you experience any changes in your vision, eye pain, redness, or discharge.

What Should I Expect at a Routine Eye Exam?

If you've never had eye issues, during a routine eye exam, you can expect:

• Health History: Questions about your general health, medications, and family eye history.

• Vision Tests: Reading an eye chart and a test to check for potential prescription needs.

• Eye Health Checks: Assessing eye muscle movement, pupil response, peripheral vision, and measuring eye pressure (important for glaucoma). A slit lamp exam inspects the front of your eye. Most importantly, a dilated retinal exam offers a clear view of the back of your eye, revealing early signs of conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration, or issues linked to systemic diseases like diabetes. (Bring sunglasses for after, as your eyes will be light-sensitive!)

• Discussion: Your doctor will explain findings, confirm your eye health, and advise on future exams and eye care tips.

Healthy Eyes = Healthy Brain

Just like so many other parts of the body, the brain and eyes are closely connected. Our brains are instrumental in interpreting the world around us through our vision. Here’s how they work together to help us see:

• Eyes Capture Light: Your eyes gather incoming light and focus it onto the retina.

• Retina Converts to Signals: The retina's rods and cones transform light into electrical signals.

• Optic Nerve Transmits: These signals travel via the optic nerve to your brain.

• Brain Processes & Interprets: Your cerebral cortex (and other brain areas) quickly interprets these signals, constructing your perception of shapes, colors, motion, and depth, allowing you to "see" the world.

An eye doctor – whether an optometrist or an ophthalmologist – is specially trained to do more than just check your vision. During a comprehensive eye exam, they can identify early signs of various other health conditions throughout your body, often before you experience any noticeable symptoms. These can include:

• High blood pressure: Your eye doctor can observe changes in the retinal blood vessels, like unusual bends or bleeding.

• Diabetes: changes in the blood vessels at the back of the eye (retina) can be an early indicator.

• Heart disease: An eye doctor could see a pale, swollen retina with a characteristic known as a "cherry-red spot," which could indicate a blockage.

• Brain tumors: Tumors in the brain can exert pressure or affect neurological pathways that involve vision. An eye doctor might notice certain abnormalities.

• Thyroid disease: An overactive thyroid can cause distinct eye symptoms such as swelling of the tissues and muscles behind the eyes, scarring of the eye muscles, leading to misalignment, dry eye, redness, irritation, etc.

• Skin cancer: While not directly inside the eyeball, skin cancer can appear on or around the eye.

• Leukemia: This blood cancer can affect the eyes in several ways due to abnormal or rapid blood cell growth.

The delicate link between our vision and brain extends far beyond the conditions listed above. Studies have also highlighted a strong connection between visual sensitivity and dementia. A breakthrough that suggests vision loss, impairment, or other subtle changes could predict dementia up to 12 years before a clinical diagnosis. This means that by prioritizing regular eye exams and addressing vision issues promptly, healthcare providers may be able to identify early signs of dementia far sooner, potentially opening doors for earlier intervention and management.

Common Eye Conditions and Symptoms

Myopia (Nearsightedness) causes difficulty in seeing distant objects clearly. You might squint to see far away. This occurs when your eye doesn't properly focus on light.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness) causes difficulty seeing nearby objects clearly. Symptoms are headaches or eye strain, especially with reading.

Astigmatism: Distorted or blurred vision at all distances due to an unevenly shaped cornea or lens. May also cause headaches, eye strain, or difficulty with night vision.

Presbyopia (Age-Related Farsightedness): Loss of ability to focus up close, typically starting between the ages of 40-50. You'll find yourself holding reading material farther away.

Cataracts: A clouding of the eye's natural lens, which is normally clear. Symptoms include cloudy or blurred vision, faded colors, glare or halos around lights (especially at night), difficulty seeing at night, frequent changes in glasses prescription, and double vision in one eye. Treatment options include surgical removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with a clear artificial lens.

Glaucoma: A group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, often due to increased pressure inside the eye. It's a leading cause of blindness. Symptoms are often called the "silent thief of sight" because they usually have no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Vision loss typically begins with peripheral vision. In advanced stages, it can lead to "tunnel vision." Acute forms can cause sudden, severe eye pain, redness, blurred vision, and halos around lights. Treatment options are typically prescription eye drops to lower eye pressure, laser treatment, or surgery. Early detection is key to preventing irreversible vision loss.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): This condition damages the macula, the central part of the retina vital for the sharp, detailed vision needed for tasks like reading, driving, and recognizing faces. AMD comes in two main types:

• Dry AMD: The more common form, it progresses slowly, causing a gradual blurring of central vision. Tiny yellow deposits called drusen are often an early sign.

• Wet AMD: Though less common, this type is more severe. It involves abnormal blood vessels growing under the macula, which leak blood and fluid, leading to rapid central vision loss. A key symptom to watch for is straight lines appearing wavy.

While there is currently no cure for AMD, various treatments such as specific supplements, injections, and laser therapy can help slow its progression.

While not an extremely common condition, retinal detachment affects around 1 in 10,000 people annually in the U.S. and is a serious eye emergency.

Retinal Detachment occurs when the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of your eye, pulls away from its normal position. This is a serious eye emergency that can cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. Sudden symptoms like a significant increase in floaters (specks or cobwebs in your vision), flashes of light, sudden blurred vision, or a dark shadow or "curtain" covering part of your sight. If you experience these, seek immediate medical attention. While surgery is almost always required, over 90% of detachments are successfully repaired. Early treatment is crucial for the best possible vision recovery, especially if your central vision isn't yet affected.

How Do I Improve My Eye Health & Create a Good Foundation for My Children?

Nutrients: It’s no surprise to hear that eating the right foods can boost your eye health, is it? Here's why we say, 'eat the rainbow.’ Your eyes love Vitamin A, which is found in the colorful foods listed below, along with antioxidants (substances that play a crucial role in protecting your body's cells from damage).

Vitamin A is already stored in your body, so taking too much in a pill can become toxic over time. The vibrant colors in these foods come from compounds called carotenoids, which your body can also turn into Vitamin A. To truly get the most out of these good-for-you nutrients, remember this: carotenoids are fat-soluble. This means they need a little fat to be properly absorbed by your body. So, next time, add a drizzle of olive oil to your cooked greens or some avocado to your meal. Lightly cooking those veggies can help your body grab even more of those beneficial carotenoids!

Foods for eye health:

Orange and Yellow Vegetables:

Carrots: a classic source of vitamin A

Sweet Potatoes Winter Squash: butternut squash, pumpkin

Red Bell Peppers

Dark Green Leafy Vegetables:

Spinach

Kale

Collard Greens

Swiss Chard

Romaine Lettuce

Orange and Yellow Fruits:

Cantaloupe

Mangoes

Apricots

Papaya

Other Fruits:

Grapefruit

Watermelon (contains some)

Tangerines

Peaches

Guava

Everyday Eye Care: Proactive daily habits are fundamental to good eye health. Here are some tips you can add to your day that can relieve eye strain and promote long-term vision.

• Ensure you work and read in adequate lighting.

• Practice the 20-20-20 rule when using screens: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You can combat digital eye strain by limiting screen time when possible.

• Always wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection to shield your eyes from harmful rays.
  
  
• Always wear appropriate safety glasses or goggles for sports, DIY projects, yard work, or any activity where eye injury is a risk.
  
  
• For contact lens wearers, proper hygiene and care are paramount to avoid infections. Some key mistakes to avoid with contact lenses include:

• Avoid Water Exposure: Do NOT wear contacts when showering, swimming, or in hot tubs. Even tap water can introduce harmful microorganisms (like a nasty amoeba called Acanthamoeba) that cause severe, sight-threatening infections.

• Never Sleep in Lenses: Unless your eye doctor specifically prescribes extended wear lenses for overnight use, always remove your contacts before bed. Sleeping in regular lenses drastically increases your risk of infection.
  
  
• Only Use Approved Solution: Never use tap water, distilled water, saliva, or homemade saline to rinse, clean, or store your lenses. These aren't sterile and can harbor dangerous germs, leading to serious infections.

Resources and Next Steps

Taking proactive steps for your eye health is easier than you think. There are over a dozen eye Doctors /practices operating across Southeast Iowa. Find care close to you!

Prioritizing proactive eye care is crucial for your overall well-being and quality of life. Don't wait for issues to arise; take charge of your vision today. Schedule your next eye exam and commit to healthy habits.

Learn more by viewing our full list of services: Ophthalmology Services West Burlington, IA | Ophthalmologists (greatriverhealth.org)