Dear Reader,
August is National Eye Exam Month to promote keeping your eyes healthy and preserving your vision. However, eye health is important no matter what month it is. As the population ages, an increasing number of adults are at risk of vision loss. Dangers to vision include conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts.
Routine eye exams are key to detecting glaucoma at an early stage and experiencing successful treatment. If you have one or more risk factors for glaucoma, talk to your eye doctor regarding regular eye appointments. As a general rule, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends having a comprehensive eye exam:
- Every 5 to 10 years if you’re under 40 years old
- Every 2 to 4 years if you’re 40 to 54 years old
- Every 1 to 3 years if you’re 55 to 64 years old
- Every 1 to 2 years if you’re older than age 65
If you’re at risk of glaucoma, you’ll need more-frequent screenings. If you’re being treated for glaucoma, establish a regular schedule of eye examinations to make sure your intraocular eye pressure remains at safe levels. Be alert for the symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma, such as severe headache or severe pain in your eye or eyebrow, nausea, blurred vision, or seeing rainbow halos around lights. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical care.
Yours in good health,
Sophie Bakri, M.D. | 
