What Should You Go For- Vision Screenings or Walk-in Eye Exams

Eyes are God’s best gift to human beings. It is because of this gift of vision that human beings can enjoy the beauty of this world created by God in so many colors. It is thus our duty to keep eyes in good health. However, it cannot be denied that it is our negligence that leads to vision related problems. Eye issues can come with age, but nowadays, vision problems can plague anyone. That is why one needs to go for vision screenings and walk in eye exams. One can go for both, but eye experts are of the opinion that eye exams are a better aspect than vision screenings. Now, why is that so? Following are the difference:

Vision screenings are not very detailed. It involves some inexpensive tests being run by nurses or volunteers to look for abnormal visual activities and other vision related problems. This includes identifying letters from a certain distance. Both eyes can be screened or individual eyes can be screened. On screening if the patient scores below a certain level, then that person is referred to an eye care professional for further treatment. On the other hand, eye exams are being carried out extensively by optometrists or ophthalmologists. Vision screening is part of eye exams and one is administered other eye tests as well to evaluate the health of one’s eyes. During an eye exam, each of the eye is tested for serious issues like cataracts, detached retinas, glaucoma and more. Periodic eye exams are helpful in finding out eye problems at an early stage.

So, what should be the frequency of the eye tests? It depends and varies with age. Following are when one should be visiting an eye specialist:

• Age between 20 to 30 years should go for eye check ups every 5 to 10 years
• Age between 40 to 54 years should go for eye check ups every 2 to 4 years
• Age between 55 to 64 years should go for eye check ups every 1 to 3 years
• 65 plus of age should go for eye check ups every 1 to 2 years

While this is applicable to adults, following is the frequency when children should be taken for walk in eye exams.

• The first screening should be completed within 6 to 12 months of age
• There should be the habit of regular eye check ups so that eye problems can be detected early
• School going children should be more frequent with their eye check-ups. That should happen every 1 to 2 years.

Eye exams are also helpful in identifying other health problems like the following:

• Hypertension– If there are tears in the blood vessels of the eye, then that could be indicative of high blood pressure.

• Diabetes- If the blood vessels in the retina of the eyes leak blood or yellow fluid, then that is indicative of Diabetic Retinopathy.

• High Cholesterol- Look out for a yellow ring around the cornea for high cholesterol.

• Tumors- If one has irregular shaped pupils or droopy eyelids, then that is suggestive of neck tumor.

• Thyroid– Protruding or bulging eye balls can point out Thyroid problems.

Irrespective of what vision problem you or any of your family members have, it is better to schedule walk in eye exams at the right time.