Importance of Regular Eye Examination

The human eye as small as it may look is the second most complex organ of the human body, housing an extension of the brain called the retina. The retina also known as the neural layer of the eye, contains the rods and cones(photo-receptors). The rods enables night vision(scotopic vision) while the cones which are less sensitive to light as compared to the rods and 20 times less in number(about 6 million) are used to see during the day(photopic vision). These photoreceptor cells are stimulated by light and create signals which are been sent to the brain for integration, processing and interpretation.
The necessity of regular eye examination cannot be overemphasized as over 80% of knowledge gained by an individual comes from what he/she sees. The human eye processes information from the environment which are contained in light and send it to the brain, the brain then stores this information.
Visual impairment or loss of the eye reduces life activities, limits tasks that can be performed, learning abilities etc. There will be a shift from the normal intellectual development of the individual as a result of reduced vision or loss of the eye.

Many systemic diseases can be detected during comprehensive eye examinations. such as, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, syphilis, and tuberculosis which have ocular manifestations.
Early detection of several eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, amblyopia, uveitis etc, helps greatly in management of the disease so  as to prevent permanent visual impairment or tissue damage. Early detection of glaucoma helps prevent loss of the visual field  or progression of visual field loss if managed properly.
According to American Optometric Association (AOA) , every child should have an eye examination at 6 months of age, second eye examination at age three. every child should have an eye exam before the start of school and every 1-2 years thereafter. These helps for early detection and management of amblyopia(lazy eye), strabismus  and other congenital eye defects. Adults should go for comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years. The aged (61 and older) should have annual eye exams. This enables early detection of diseases and proper follow up of the eye health status.
A comprehensive eye examination whether performed by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist should include but not limited to these tests depending on the judgement of the practitioner.

• Patient history
• Visual acuity test 
• Prelimanary test- version test, color vision test, pupillary reflex test.
• keratometry- measures the curvature of the cornea.
• Refraction- detects the refractive errors to determine if you need corrective lenses or not,
• Eye health examination- slit lamp bimicroscopy, helps in assessing the ocular health of the person and diagnosis of the ocular adnexia(eyelids, lashes, etc).