What Can You Learn From Your Annual Eye Exam? 

Annual eye exams are more than just opportunities to renew your eyeglasses prescription. Through regular visits to your vision specialist, you can benefit from early intervention of more serious conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts. Often, it’s your eye doctor in Champaign, IL, who’s able to first spot signs of chronic conditions such as diabetes through routine eye exams and diagnostic testing. Your yearly exam could lead to early detection of many serious medical conditions.

Diabetes

Diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy, during which blood vessels leak into the retina and affect your vision. If left undetected and untreated, this condition can lead to total vision loss. If you check in with your eye doctor regularly, this can help with early detection and treatment.

If you’ve recently received a diagnosis of diabetes, it’s important to follow-up with your vision specialist right away.

Lyme Disease

If left undetected, Lyme disease can affect your eyes. In its later stages, it may compromise several areas of the eye, including the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye; the cornea, which is part of the outer eye; the iris, which is the circle of color that surrounds the pupil; and the choroid, or the blood vessels within the eye. This may cause your eyes to feel sensitive to light. You may also experience floaters and problems with double vision.

High Blood Pressure

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause damage similar to diabetes. Retinopathy may occur, You may also experience fluid buildup beneath the retina, as well as nerve damage. It’s important to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension to protect your vision.

Schedule your annual eye exam in Champaign, IL, today by calling Champaign Eye Professionals.