· Domiano Eye Care
Why You Shouldn't Wait for Symptoms
Whether you wear glasses, contact lenses, or have never had a prescription in your life, yearly eye exams are essential to keeping your vision and eye health on track. They're one of the simplest — and most overlooked — ways to protect your quality of life as you age.
At Domiano Eye Care, we see how early detection changes outcomes. Patients with conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and even diabetes often find out first through an eye exam. That's the power of prevention, and it's why we encourage patients of all ages to make their annual exam a priority.
What Happens During a Comprehensive Eye Exam?
If you haven't had a checkup in a while, you may be surprised how much more it involves than reading letters off a chart. A modern comprehensive exam typically includes:
- Visual acuity testing: Measures how clearly you see at various distances.
- Refraction and prescription check: Determines whether you need glasses or contacts, and whether your current prescription has changed.
- Eye pressure test (tonometry): Screens for glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness that rarely has early symptoms.
- Retinal imaging or dilation: Lets your optometrist view the back of the eye, where signs of disease often first appear.
- Eye movement and coordination testing: Checks how well your eyes work together and can identify issues like strabismus or convergence insufficiency.
Eye Exams Detect More Than Vision Problems
The eye is the only place in the body where blood vessels can be viewed directly, which makes it a valuable window into systemic health. Conditions an optometrist can often detect during a routine exam include:
- Glaucoma: Often called the “silent thief of sight,” it damages the optic nerve gradually and is best managed when caught early.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Early detection can slow its progression and help preserve central vision.
- Diabetic retinopathy: For patients with diabetes — or those unaware they have it — eye exams are critical for preventing irreversible vision loss.
- Signs of hypertension and high cholesterol: These may show up as changes in the retinal blood vessels or bleeding in the retina.
How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
The American Optometric Association offers general guidelines based on age and risk factors:
- Children (6–17 years): At least once a year to monitor vision development and support academic performance.
- Adults (18–64 years): Every one to two years, or annually if you wear contacts or have risk factors like diabetes.
- Seniors (65+): Annually, as the risk of eye disease increases significantly with age.
Who Should Be Especially Consistent
Even if you've never worn glasses, regular exams matter — especially if you use digital devices heavily, have chronic health conditions, or have a family history of eye disease. Contact lens wearers should absolutely keep their annual exam, since improper lens fit or wear can lead to complications like corneal damage or infection. Patients managing diabetes or high blood pressure benefit from close monitoring of their retinal health.
Comprehensive Eye Exams in Old Forge and Clarks Summit, PA
At Domiano Eye Care, we don't just update prescriptions — we help protect your long-term vision and health. Our thorough exams offer insight into both your eyesight and your overall well-being, catching problems early so you can keep living with confidence and clarity. We provide comprehensive eye exams for patients from Old Forge, Clarks Summit, and the surrounding Scranton area, with personalized care for every stage of life. Make your eye health a priority and schedule an appointment with our team.
Frequently asked questions
- How often should adults get an eye exam?
- The American Optometric Association suggests every one to two years for adults 18–64 (annually if you wear contacts or have risk factors like diabetes) and every year for adults 65 and older.
- Can an eye exam detect high blood pressure or diabetes?
- It can reveal signs — such as changes in the retinal blood vessels or bleeding in the retina — that prompt further medical evaluation. Some patients learn about these conditions for the first time through an eye exam.
- Do contact lens wearers need a yearly eye exam?
- Yes. Improper lens fit or wear can lead to corneal damage or infection, so an annual exam checks both your eye health and how your lenses are performing.
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