|
 For
those of us fortunate enough to have it, good
eyesight is something we often take for granted. But
it takes more than luck to maintain it. Believe it
or not, the eyes need periodic medical attention and
checkups just like the rest of the body. Although
change in the eyes is inevitable as we age, taking
certain measures can promote good eye health,
maintain vision, and ward off eye diseases.
“Every child should have an eye exam before
preschool,” says Manuel Del Toro, a specialist at
Vision Expert Ophthalmologists in Guaynabo, Puerto
Rico. “After that, as long as the eyes are healthy,
[everyone] should go every two to three years.”
Complete eye health is about more than vision, Del
Toro says. Patients often confuse optometrists, who
test vision, and ophthalmologists, who check all the
parts of the eye. “Optometrists may be able to
recognize a larger problem and refer the patient to
another doctor,” Del Toro says, “but it is best to
have an ophthalmologist do a thorough exam.” Some
diseases don’t have symptoms until later stages, so
even an optometrist may not notice important changes.
During a complete exam, an eye doctor will measure
vision and measure eye pressure using a puff of air
in the eye or a method that involves a gentle touch
of the eye. He or she may also dilate the pupils to
get a better look, especially if there is a family
history of diabetes, eye diseases, retinal problems,
or cancer, or if eye trauma is a possibility. Many
people are unaware that certain cancers can start in
the eyes, without any symptoms, and spread.
 Because diabetes is prevalent in the Latino
population, Latinos must be particularly aware of
diabetic eye disease, a group of illnesses—including
diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma—that
are complications of diabetes.
The most frightening commonality is that these
diseases may not have symptoms until the later
stages, when the best any treatment can do is
prevent further deterioration.
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For the
complete article request the
December issue of LATINA
Style
magazine. |
Resource: Eye Care America offers a free diabetic
eye disease and glaucoma screenings to qualifying
patients. For more information, call 1-800-272-EYES
or visit
www.eyecareamerica.org.
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