During a regular health check-up, your health care provider may perform basic eye tests, such as asking you to read an eye chart, or he may look in your eyes with a hand-held scope. These basic eye checks may help detect significant vision changes and the presence of certain eye diseases. Your eye doctor can often detect early problems and discuss diet changes that may help you prevent or slow down eye disease.
Eye Examinations
An eye doctor will check your vision and determine if a prescription for glasses will help your overall vision. She will also check your eye pressure and dilate your pupils. Pupil dilation will allow her to have a good view of the back of your eye. She will use a microscope designed for the eyes, called a slit lamp, to carefully evaluate the area from the front surface of your eye to the back inside lining of your eye. At the end of the examination, your eye doctor will discuss the health of your eyes.
Disease
Many different eye diseases may result in damage to the eye and vision, but proper nutrition may help prevent these conditions. Some of these conditions include macular degeneration and cataracts. Eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, typically appear in older adults; your eye doctor may detect early warning signs of this vision-threatening condition. The macula sits in the central part of the retina, the tissue that lines the inside of the eye. Cataracts occur when the natural lens inside the eye turns yellow and thick, resulting in vision changes.
Diet
Diet changes may help protect your vision. Choosing dark green, leafy vegetables may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration and slow down the progression of cataracts and other eye conditions, states the American Optometric Association. Also, add foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits, spinach and tomatoes. Vitamin E, found in foods such as almonds, peanuts and sweet potatoes, may also aid in the prevention of eye disease. Cooked salmon, yogurt and eggs offer good sources of zinc, another beneficial nutrient. You should also select foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna and walnuts.
Supplements
Your eye doctor may recommend supplements to ensure you have adequate intake of the important nutrients essential for eye health. Inform your eye doctor about all the medications you are taking and your overall health, since some supplements may interact with your condition and treatment.
Some eye vitamins offer a particular sent of nutrients designed for macular degeneration prevention. If your doctor recommends a particular supplement, you may wish to ask your pharmacist for help in locating that specific supplement. In general, look for supplements that contain vitamins A, C, D, E and vitamin B complex, as well as lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids, explains Shereen Jegtvig and Dr. Gary Heiting on the All About Vision website.
Considerations
The frequency of a full eye examination depends on your age and overall health. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, will require an eye exam at least once a year. Many doctors require that children have an eye exam annually, but your eye doctor may have a different recommendation. Adults will typically have an eye examination every two years unless they have a medical or eye condition. For adults and children with an eye condition, the frequency of their eye examinations will depend on their condition and treatment needs.
