EYE CARE FOR ADULTS OVER 40
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Northwest Eye Clinic provides routine and preventative eye care in Bellingham and Whatcom County, as well as treatment of many eye diseases from simple to complex. Baseline disease screening is recommended for adults over 40. The physicians at Northwest Eye Clinic are recognized for providing skilled surgical and medical disease management services using the newest technology to better track and manage eye disease. EyeCare America has issued the following guidelines for adult eye exams for individuals over 40:
Age 40 to 64
As of July 2007, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has issued a new eye disease screening recommendation for aging adults.
The Academy now recommends that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40, the time when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to occur. Based on the results of the initial screening, an ophthalmologist will prescribe the necessary intervals for follow-up exams.
For individuals of any age with symptoms of, or who are at-risk for, eye disease - including those with a family history of eye disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure - the AAO recommends that they see their ophthalmologist to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined.
The new recommendation does not replace regular visits to the ophthalmologist to treat ongoing disease or injuries, or for vision examinations for eye glasses or contact lenses. Much like mammograms at 40 or colon screenings at 50, this new eye disease screening recommendation is a reminder to adults as they age that they need to maintain their eye health.
Why the new recommendation?
A baseline evaluation is important because it may detect eye diseases common in adults over age 40, as many eye conditions become more prevalent as we grow older. An early evaluation is important for early disease detection and preservation of vision.
A thorough ophthalmologic evaluation can uncover common abnormalities of the visual system and related structures, as well as less common but extremely serious ones, such as ocular tumors. This evaluation can also uncover evidence of many forms of systemic diseases that affect the eyes, like hypertension and diabetes. With appropriate intervention, potentially blinding diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy often have a favorable outcome. Several common eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, can affect people age 40 and older who may not notice symptoms until the disease is relatively advanced.
Age 65 and Over
Seniors age 65 and over should have complete eye exams by their Eye M.D. every one to two years to check for cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye conditions that can lead to vision loss.