Routine Eye Care

Eye Care houston

In order to maintain good vision and to keep your eyes healthy, it is best to have routine eye exams. For certain people it may be alright to have an exam every two years; however, for most people, it is a good idea to be checked every six to twelve months.

Patients can have concerns about new changes in vision or learn of eye problems that run in the family and develop slowly like keratoconus.  Eye pressures should be routinely checked to catch elevated ocular pressures that could represent glaucoma.  Diabetic patients should be check at least yearly or more often to look for signs of diabetic retinopathy.  These are not the kinds of problems that can be detected without an exam.  Regular visits help to catch these types of ocular issues before they become serious.  Routine eye care gives you the ability to make decisions without being rushed or pressured by the urgency of a problem that has been present for a long time and gotten out of hand.

Many seniors have problems such as chronic eyelid infections, ocular surface roughness, and dry eyes that they may not even recognize.  Hereditary conditions such as corneal swelling from Fuchs’ Dystrophy can also slowly start to become problematic as we age.  Blurred vision from cataract gradually makes reading, using a computer, and driving more difficult.  All of these things can degrade ocular comfort and vision, and hamper quality of life.  Geriatric physicians in Houston know that the physicians of Houston Eye Associates are aware of the unique issues affecting our seniors’ eyes.  We want to keep you looking good, feeling good, and seeing well.

Be sure to consult Dr. Mark Vital regarding the consistency of eye exams that you should maintain.

During a complete exam, your pupils will be dilated so the doctor can see into the back of the eye to examine your retina.  Your vision will be checked and you will be screened for eye diseases or disorders.  Testing is sometimes required and either done on the same day or scheduled, to collect more information on the status of your eyes.  If you experience any changes in your vision between regularly scheduled visits with your eye care provider, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Vital as soon as possible. Early detection of problems and treatment of problems can be the key to preventing loss of vision.

Learn More About Routine Eye Care:

  • Routine Vision Check-Ups: Routine check-up visits are normally performed annually and include checking vision, intraocular pressure, eye movements, peripheral vision, pupils, and the health of external and internal eye structures.
  • Refractions: Refraction checks light is bent into focus for your eyes.  Refraction involves checking your current glasses for accuracy and determining if a change is necessary.  Which is better, 1 or 2… you know the drill.
  • Lid Scrubs: Lid scrubs are a way to maintain clean eyelids and a smooth ocular surface.  Lid scrubs can be compared to brushing teeth and should be a part of everyone’s morning regimen.
  • Glasses: Your glasses don’t only need to have the correct prescription, they also need to rest on your face properly.  Blurred vision, glare, headaches, and other eye issues can be the simple result of glasses having the wrong shape, weight, fit, or make.
  • Contacts: Contact lens prescriptions and fittings are not performed by Dr. Vital’s office but appointments can be made for the Houston Optic optometrists in the building to check, prescribe, and refill contacts.
  • Common Eye Disorders: Dr. Vital is good at explaining both common and complex eye disorders in a way that is easy to understand.  He will discuss options for care and together you will plan for observation or treatment.