Most people typically remember to visit their physician for a routine physical once a year. However, many of the same people often forget to schedule their annual eye exams, allowing their eyesight to go unchecked for years. Those who once had a clear vision usually skip or forget to schedule an eye exam with their optometrist until their vision becomes a severe issue.
After 40, it can be important to stay on top of your eye care by scheduling annual appointments with your eye doctor. Our optometrists at Wally Kojima, O.D. and Associates are here to provide their Kailua-Kona, HI, patients with vision care by offering thorough medical eye exams.
What Are Medical Eye Exams
Routine eye exams help determine and maintain the health of the eyes. In addition to checking for vision clarity, an eye doctor on our team can also check your overall health, including checking for various medical conditions and diseases. A comprehensive medical eye exam may include:
- A review of medical, social, and family history
- Visual acuity testing
- Assessment of pupils
- Ocular motility
- Peripheral vision checks
- Eye pressure (for glaucoma screening)
- Refraction (for eyeglass prescriptions)
- Pupil dilation
- Slit-lamp examination
Why Might a Routine Eye Exam Be Important?
Routine eye exams are recommended for patients of all ages, even if you have good vision. An eye exam can help keep your eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions current. Additionally, the exam can help an optometrist on our optometry team detect if you have any eye diseases or vision problems. Routine eye exams might be as important as annual physicals with your healthcare provider and can help prevent any issues with the eyes and diagnose any medical conditions.
Common Medical Conditions Discovered through an Eye Exam
During your comprehensive eye exam, an eye doctor on our optometry team can also look for any medical conditions diagnosed within the eyes. Common diseases and conditions diagnosed through an eye exam may include:
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Thyroid Disorder
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis
If any of the above-listed conditions are found during medical eye exams, an optometrist on our optometry team may suggest a treatment plan or may refer you to your medical doctor for treatment.
Schedule Your Annual Eye Exam Today
If it has been more than a year since your last eye doctor appointment and you are at risk for glaucoma or for other eye diseases, call us at (808) 331-8081 for the office of Wally Kojima, O.D., and Associates in Kailua-Kona, HI, to schedule an eye exam. We are here to help all of our patients with their vision, eye care, and medical exam needs.