Imagine you’re scrolling through social media, and you see a post about a friend’s recent eye exam. You realize it’s been a while since your last visit to the eye doctor. Life gets busy, right? But skipping that yearly check-up for a vision test is so much more. The optometrist’s peek inside your eye tells so much about eye health – current and future. This month, we want to dig into one check made in during a routine eye exam – the eye pressure test for glaucoma. What is glaucoma and why is it important to check yearly to catch it early? Read on…

What is Glaucoma?

So, what exactly is glaucoma? In simple terms, it’s a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to high pressure in the eye. Think of it as a silent thief sneaking in and stealing your sight without you even noticing. There are different types of glaucoma, but the most common is open-angle glaucoma, which usually doesn’t show symptoms until significant damage has occurred. This is why regular eye exams are crucial.

Why Yearly Eye Exams Matter

Glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight” for a reason. Many people don’t experience noticeable symptoms until the disease is quite advanced. That’s where those yearly eye exams come into play. They’re like a safety net for your vision! During these exams at Binyon Vision Center, your optometrist will perform tests—like tonometry, which measures your eye pressure, and visual field tests, which check your peripheral vision—to catch early signs of glaucoma.

Did you know that early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes? According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, when caught early, treatments can slow the progression and help preserve your sight. Unfortunately, once the disease has progressed there is no current treatment to reverse the vision loss. Imagine that—a simple annual visit can be your best defense against something that often goes unnoticed, but can create a huge visual obstacle down the road!

Don’t delay – schedule today!

So, there you have it! Don’t let glaucoma sneak up on you. Prioritizing your eye health means scheduling that yearly exam. Your eyes are a window to your overall health, and taking care of them is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule your eye exam today!