By the time they reach age 65, roughly one out of every three Canadians will suffer from a vision-threatening or vision-impairing eye condition. Here's what you can do to stop yourself, or an ageing loved one, from falling victim to the most common age-related eye diseases.
As we get older, our bodies begin to deteriorate. Eyes included. Because of this, one is reminded of the following line from the famous speech given by Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday. “When you get old in life, things get taken from you. That’s part of life. But you only learn that when you start losing stuff." While Pacino may have been referencing the similarities between life and football, the metaphor tragically captures the consequences of the natural ageing process we are all set to face and undergo. Not until we start losing things like our sight or hearing do we realize that they're being taken from us.
But there is a way to at least stop the natural ageing process from surprising us when it comes to vision loss or eye diseases. It's called a comprehensive eye exam, and those who are 65 or older in Alberta are eligible for a free one every year.
Looking for a comprehensive eye exam in Calgary or Three Hills? My Optometrist Calgary has you covered! We're happy to announce that we are once again fully open following our brief closure due to COVID-19. We’ve taken the necessary precautions to ensure our customers and staff remain safe, given these still uncertain times and are looking forward to seeing all our amazing patients again in person. Contact us today to book a comprehensive eye exam appointment in Calgary or Three Hills, and let's make sure you're still seeing clearly during this hazy period.
If you're beginning to get older, there really is only one surefire way to save your vision from falling victim to age-related eye diseases. It's a comprehensive eye exam, and it's something you should have done on an annual basis.
Because so many age-related eye diseases first develop without any signs or symptoms, a comprehensive eye exam from your Calgary optometrist will help detect any conditions you might be suffering from early on, allowing for timely treatment. This timely treatment can either stop or slow down the progression of certain age-related eye diseases, the four most common of which are listed below:
HOW TO LOWER YOUR RISK OF GETTING AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
If you're 65 or older, it's not enough to just get a common vision assessment done at the eye clinic of your choosing. That's because a vision assessment won't examine your eyes for any signs or evidence of the most common age-related eye diseases listed above. When booking your comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist, make sure the following tests will be included:
Visual acuity test: This is the more scientific name for a vision assessment, which is the standard eye chart test that all of us are so familiar with. It's used to measure how well you can see at different distances.
Dilated pupil test: Your eye doctor will use drops to widen your pupils so they can more easily see your retina and view more of it. This helps them look more closely for any signs of eye disease and detect them if present. Your close-up vision may remain blurry for a few hours following the test.
Tonometry: Used to determine the fluid pressure within your eye, there are a few different ways your optometrist can carry out this test. The most common method involves shooting a puff of air against the cornea to measure intraocular pressure and make sure it isn't at an elevated level. The "air puff test," as it may commonly be known, is painless and quick and is a great tool for detecting one of the many types of glaucoma that can afflict older individuals.
If you're 65 or older, Alberta Health Care will cover the cost of one comprehensive eye exam every year. The above tests, which should be included in your eye exam, are essential tools that will help prevent your vision from falling victim to one of the more common age-related eye diseases, mainly because most of them first develop without any signs or symptoms. Because you don't want to wait until your sight begins to be taken away from you before you realize you're losing it.
If you need a comprehensive eye exam in Calgary or Three Hills, My Optometrist Calgary has you covered with our advanced eye care. Contact one of our My Optometrist Calgary clinics at either 403-256-0606 (Health First Optometry), 403-291-0923 (Sunridge Vision Centre), or 403-443-2040 (Three Hills Optometry) and book your appointment today.
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