Your eye health is an important component of your overall health and well-being; conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers can be detected with a comprehensive eye examination. In many cases, early detection and intervention allows for the most effective treatment and helps preserve your vision. Eye examinations are a crucial component of maintaining your overall health and well-being, and cost should not prohibit you from getting the care you need. Medicaid insurance can help make vision care more affordable for everyone who needs it. People of all ages should visit their optometrist for eye examinations every year, or more frequently depending on the patient’s needs. During an eye exam, your eye doctor will perform a visual acuity test and evaluate the anatomy and function of your eyes. These tests can help reveal serious health conditions and can, in some cases, save your life.
Lowering Blood Pressure To Protect the Retina
Unregulated high pressure can lead to a condition called hypertensive retinopathy which occurs when the blood vessels supplying blood to the retina become damaged. The retina is the part of the eye that converts light into neural signals that the brain then uses to form visual images, and when it becomes damaged, you may experience blurred or double vision. Your doctor can discuss steps you can take to lower your blood pressure, including diet, exercise and medications. It’s important to have your blood pressure monitored routinely if you are diagnosed with hypertension. Taking steps to lower your blood pressure can prevent further damage to your eyes and other organs.
Managing Diabetes And Preserving Your Vision
Diabetes affects more than 100 million people of all ages in the United States, and occurs when the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. If diabetes is left untreated, it can cause many complications, including an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels in the retina become damaged by continuous spikes in blood sugar levels. If you’re diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels and take steps to maintain stable blood sugar through diet, exercise and insulin therapy. A dilated eye exam makes it possible to clearly view the structures of the eye affected by this condition, and diagnose diabetic retinopathy in its earliest stages. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent this condition from progressing.
Diagnosing And Treating Diseases Specific To The Eye
While your ocular health can reveal so much about your systemic health, it’s also important to prevent and treat diseases specific to the eye, which can compromise your vision. With age, the risk of developing glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration increases. If you’re a senior citizen, early detection and treatment of these conditions can help preserve your eyesight. Medicaid not only covers eye exams for senior citizens, but corrective lenses and interventions to improve your vision as you age.
Periodic eye examinations are a vital component of maintaining excellent overall health. An experienced optometrist can work with your medical team to accurately diagnose and treat a number of health conditions. With a preventive approach to care, you can enjoy excellent eye health and vision at any age.
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