If you have been wondering when to see an ophthalmologist, chances are the answer might be sooner rather than later. If you are having issues with your eyes, whether they be vision or comfort-related, an ophthalmologist can ensure that your eye health is in good hands by providing both practical care on daily eye health and eye disease diagnosis.

Eye disease is often difficult to catch without check-ins with your ophthalmologist. Because the symptoms of serious diseases can present as minor inconveniences and irritations, people often wait until diseases are advanced to seek treatment. Things like redness and dry eye, should they persist for any meaningful amount of time, should be examined by a qualified ophthalmologist immediately, as they are the best chance you have at an early stage eye disease diagnosis.

When should I see an ophthalmologist?

Before you know when to see an ophthalmologist, you should know why you should see an ophthalmologist. Most patients don’t know the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist and are unsure which specialist they should even schedule an appointment with.

What’s the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist? Optometrists are licensed to perform eye exams and vision tests. They can prescribe corrective lenses and contact lenses, and write prescriptions for some medications. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who are also licensed to perform eye exams and prescribe lenses and medication. The difference is that ophthalmologists are licensed to perform eye surgery and specialize in specific eye diseases and surgical techniques.

You wouldn’t go to an ophthalmologist to schedule a routine checkup, but if you are concerned about your eye health, or have a history of vision problems, you should probably pay one a visit. If you’re looking for the best ophthalmologist in Houston, you’ll find many of them at Eye Center of Texas, whether you need a general practitioner, a specialist, or a surgeon.

Here are some common signs that you should see an ophthalmologist.

If you are undergoing changes in your vision

Vision problems can signify any number of things all the way from serious eye disease to the need for a simple prescription update. Sudden blurry vision can be a sign of cataracts, macular degeneration, or retinal diseases, and new floaters can be a sign of retinal detachment. Symptoms could mean that you need new eye drops, or that you need surgery. Only an ophthalmologist will be able to tell you for sure.

If you are experiencing excessive irritation

Both dryness and redness are common symptoms that can indicate uncommon problems. If your eyes are red, or you have dry eyes at night, and over-the-counter eye drops aren’t providing any relief, you should see an ophthalmologist. In extreme cases, excessive dryness can lead to corneal scratching and result in permanent damage to your vision.

If you are experiencing pain or pressure

Sustained pain is usually a bad sign for your eye health. Something as innocuous as pressure in the eyes, which is often ascribed to sinus pressure, can be a sign of advancing glaucoma. If you have been experiencing pain, headaches, or eye pressure, you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Infections, diabetes, injuries

The list of reasons to see an ophthalmologist is long. These are some more common reasons that are not related to everyday symptoms.

• Diabetics should get their eyes checked by an ophthalmologist regularly to ensure that high blood sugar does not cause vision loss.
• Anyone that has or has had an eye infection should see an ophthalmologist to ensure that the infection does not result in serious complications.
• Anyone that has had a non-emergency eye injury should consult their ophthalmologist. Whether physical debris or chemical contamination, ophthalmologists can help treat damage resulting from injuries.

What conditions do ophthalmologists treat?

Ophthalmologists are a great first line of defense against common eye disease. What are common eye diseases that an ophthalmologist would be able to diagnose and treat?

• Glaucoma
• Keratoconus
• Cataracts and fast-growing cataracts
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal diseases including keratitis, keratoconus, photokeratitis
• Age-related macular degeneration

How do you diagnose eye problems such as these? You go see an ophthalmologist! If eye disease diagnosis is not your concern, the ophthalmologists at Eye Center of Texas also perform corrective vision surgeries and give LASIK consultations.

Continue reading: Questions to ask at a LASIK consultation

Stay on top of your eye health. Know when to see an ophthalmologist from Eye Center of Texas.

Knowing when to see an ophthalmologist is an important part of both overall eye health and eye disease diagnosis. If you are at all concerned about the health of your eyes, have had recent changes in vision, or if it has just been a while, you should schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist at Eye Center of Texas today.

The specialists at Eye Center of Texas want to make sure that your eyes are disease-free and seeing crystal clear. Do right by your eyes, give us a call at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online today.

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:

• Common Eye Problems in the Winter in Texas
• When to See an Eye Doctor
• Eye Strain Treatment in Houston
• Lasik vs. Contacts: Which is Best for You?
• What to Expect With Lasik Before and After Eye Surgery

Since April is women’s eye health and safety month, Eye Center of Texas is here to talk about one of the easiest ways you can take care of your eyes regardless of your age or gender — annual eye exams.

Early detection is one of the best ways to prevent eye diseases such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and dry eye disease, all of which are eye conditions that women are more likely to develop. So, the short answer to the title of this blog is yes, you really do need an annual eye exam.

Please note that the doctors at Eye Center of Texas do not perform routine eye examinations. We encourage our patients to visit our partner Optometrists, available on our recommended optometrists page.

What is an eye exam?

During an annual eye exam your eyes are checked for vision changes, signs of common eye diseases, and assessed for how well they work together. At your eye exam, you can expect simple tests to be ran including one or more of the following:

• Reading charts: assess how clearly each individual eye sees
• Eye muscle movement tests: used to check your eyes alignment, ability to fuse an image, and determine any eye muscle weakness
• Color vision tests: checks for color vision defects
• Air puff tonometry: emits a small puff of air into your eyes to assess intraocular pressure and measure the cornea and test for glaucoma
• Slit lamp: a test using a circle of light to check the health of your cornea, iris, lens, and retina
• Visual acuity test: assess each eye’s ability to read a line of letters as they get progressively smaller
• Refraction tests: determines the exact lens prescription you need to correct your vision
• Retinal examination: dilates your pupils to allow your doctor a better look at the back of your eyes and optic nerve

The importance of annual eye exams extends far beyond assessing your vision and overall health. They can also give you a good look into your overall health. Regular eye exams have been responsible for early detection of diseases like diabetes, muscular sclerosis (MS), and arteriosclerosis — all the more reason to schedule an exam with your optometrist, particularly if you haven’t had an eye exam in years, and even if you have perfect vision.

Which doctor does eye exams?

Do ophthalmologists do eye exams? Optometrists and ophthalmologists are often confused with one another. While both are licensed medical doctors who are able to offer eye exams, opthamologists are also able to provide medical and surgical interventions for eye conditions.

How often should you have your eyes examined?

Frequency recommendations for routine eye exams depend on your age and vision problems. Individuals aged 20 to 39 should be seen a minimum of once every five years, individuals aged 40 to 54 should be seen a minimum of once every 2 to 4 years, and individuals aged 55 to 64 should be seen a minimum of once every 1 to 3 years. Those looking to ensure that they maintain a lifetime of healthy vision, however, should see an eye doctor at least once a year.

It is recommended that you have a comprehensive eye exam done at least every other year as regular visits allow your doctor increased opportunities to catch symptoms of eye diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and dry eye syndrome. Early detection may be the key in protecting the long-term health of your eyes. If you have vision impairments or are monitoring certain conditions, you may need to schedule eye doctor appointments more than once a year.

Please note that contact fittings and vision screenings are not a substitute for annual eye exams as they do not test for eye conditions beyond vision impairments.

Comprehensive eye exam vs. a routine eye exam

Routine eye exams

What is included in a routine eye exam? Routine eye exams can help you answer questions about your vision such as “do I need reading glasses?” or “what are possible presbyopia treatments?” In other words, routine eye exams use visual acuity tests to look for vision impairments or refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), astigmatism, and/or presbyopia. They can also help to treat symptoms such as glare, halos, headaches, and eye strain.

Comprehensive eye exams

What is a comprehensive eye exam? A comprehensive eye exam checks for all of the same things that a routine eye exam does but with the addition of screening for common eye diseases. These tests include the visual acuity test as well as many of the others mentioned above such as eye muscle movement tests and cataract eye exams including pupil dilation and air puff tonometry.

Looking for an ophthalmologist in Houston? Schedule an appointment at the Eye Center of Texas!

In honor of women’s eye health and safety month, the team at Eye Center of Texas would like to encourage you to schedule your annual eye exams with one of the Houston doctors on our referral list. Regular eye exams are a critical part of taking care of your eyes and your overall health.

If your eye doctor finds that you are suffering from eye issues such as vision loss, cataracts, or glaucoma, schedule an appointment to see us. Our office offers long-term vision solutions including laser cataract surgery and cornea surgery. We’ve also performed over 75,000 successful LASIK procedures and have been Houston’s trusted vision partner since 1990.

Request an appointment with us online or call Eye Center of Texas today at 713-797-1010.

Please note that the doctors at Eye Center of Texas do not perform routine eye examinations. We encourage our patients to visit our partner Optometrists, available on our recommended optometrists page.

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:

• Eye Strain Treatment in Houston
• Lasik vs. Contacts: Which is Best for You?
• What to Expect With Lasik Before and After Eye Surgery
• When is Corneal Transplant Necessary?
• Is Corneal Transplant Surgery Painful?

Discerning when to see an eye doctor without the help of a doctor’s recommendation can be complicated. Most people go to the eye doctor when their doctor deems it necessary, or they don’t go at all until an emergency appears. You should know that visiting an eye doctor for routine check-ups is an essential part of caring for your eyes, and there are many reasons for a checkup other than eye infections or worsening vision.

What if I don’t have an eye doctor? Do I even need to see one? What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist? We will answer these questions and more in this handy guide that will help you decide why and when to see an eye doctor.

Please note that the doctors at Eye Center of Texas do not perform routine eye examinations. We encourage our patients to visit our partner Optometrists, available on our recommended optometrists page.

Signs you should get your eyes checked

Do I need to see an eye doctor? Well, it depends. Ultimately you know your eyes best, outside of routine exams, here are a handful of circumstances that should put visiting the eye doctor at the top of your list:

Damage, debris, foreign objects in eyes

Essentially, debris and foreign objects in your eyes manifest in somewhat benign ways but can lead to a variety of serious eye problems including infection or a scratched cornea. Red, dry eyes often act as a symptom of infections, so it’s smart to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to have it looked at. If you got something foreign in your eyes, you may also have eye damage that needs to be addressed.

Pain or fatigue

Eye pain over any sustained period is often your eyes telling you that something is wrong. This can appear in the form of light sensitivity, eye strain, or prolonged headaches. As tempting as it may be to try to simply ignore the pain, it’s smart to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor just in case there is a more serious condition behind the symptom. For example, eye pressure can be a sign of glaucoma or high blood pressure, dry eyes increase the risk of sustaining a scratched cornea, and an uptick in floaters can signify a detached retina.

Blurry vision

Blurry vision and double vision are both reasons that you should see an eye doctor. Blurry vision can simply signify that your eyes are changing (in which case you would want to go to the eye doctor anyway), but it can also be predictive of serious health and vision problems. There are two types of double vision, monocular and binocular, that can be caused by a number of things like abnormalities on any part of the eye, astigmatism, or misalignment — all of which should send you straight to your eye doctor.

Continue reading: Why is my vision blurry?

How often should I see an eye doctor?

Should you go to the doctor if you have perfect vision? Yes! Especially if you want it to stay that way. Vision health is a marathon, not a sprint, and everyday things like eye strain from phone use can greatly increase your risk of developing vision problems.

People aren’t often able to notice changes in their vision and are surprised when a doctor improves upon what they thought was ‘perfect vision’. In the interest of overall eye health (and clear vision) you should be getting your eyes checked preventatively, not just after a problem occurs.

Plus, your eyes can reveal more about your health than just the status of your vision. Regular checkups on your blood vessels and optic nerve can help diagnose things such as diabetes or even multiple sclerosis.

Don’t have a particular vision problem? If you’re looking for just a general idea of when to see an eye doctor, the following schedule is the standard recommendation:

• Children with healthy eyes: At six months, age three, before starting kindergarten, and every two years until the age of 18.
• Children with at-risk eyes: Depending on what your doctor recommends, newborns with vision problems may need to see an eye doctor before they are six months old. They may also need additional eye exams outside of those noted above.
• Adults 18 – 60: Adults with healthy eyes who are between the ages of 18 and 60 should have a routine eye exam performed every two years.
• Adults 61+: Adults who are 60+ years old should have eye exams annually.

Differences between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist

Now that you know why you should see an eye doctor, it is important to discuss which type of eye doctor you need. A very common matter of clarification is the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists and the services they provide.

Reasons to see an optometrist

Optometrists (ODs) typically perform routine eye exams and have the ability to prescribe patients corrective glasses or contact lenses. If you need a basic eye check-up, optometrists are the way to go.

Other services they provide include:

• Eye exams
• Vision tests
• Eyeglass or contact prescription needs
• Contact lens fittings

ODs have the ability to examine, diagnose, and treat your eyes, but do not do medical procedures. If you do not have any pre-existing eye conditions and are just going for a routine check-up you should go to an optometrist.

When to see an ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists (either MDs or DOs) can also perform eye exams and prescribe glasses and contact lenses. Additionally, they are trained to treat more serious eye problems and can even perform surgery.

Eye surgeries commonly offered by ophthalmologists include:

• Cataract surgery
• Cornea surgery
• Eyelid surgery
• LASIK surgery

If you are already aware that you have an existing eye condition and/or need surgery, an ophthalmologist can help.

Think you may need to see a Houston ophthalmologist? Come to Eye Center of Texas!

Now that you know when to see an eye doctor (as well as what kind of eye doctor to see), chances are you’re ready to find one near you and you’re wondering who the good ones are. Eye Center of Texas is home to some of the best surgeons who perform LASIK Houston has to offer. Our surgeons have successfully performed over 75,000 successful LASIK procedures and are more than equipped to help you achieve perfect vision.

If you have pre-existing eye conditions and need to see an eye doctor, request an appointment online, or call Eye Center of Texas today at 713-797-1010.

More Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas:

• Do I Need Reading Glasses?
• Lasik vs Contacts: Which is Best for You
• What to Expect Before and After LASIK Surgery
• When is a Corneal Transplant Necessary?
• Is Cornea Transplant Surgery Painful?

Whether you’ve only just started having vision issues or your latest trip to the optometrist resulted in your having to up the strength of your prescription, it’s natural to wonder, “Why is my vision getting worse?”

The answer to this question depends on multiple factors. Vision changes can occur as a natural part of aging, or they may be brought on by an injury, eye disease, or underlying illness. 

While it’s ultimately best to get an official diagnosis by a trusted Houston ophthalmologist at Eye Center of Texas, let’s take a look at the common answers to the question, “Why is my vision getting worse?”

Note: Not sure whether to go to an optometrist or an ophthalmologist? This article has you covered: What is the Difference Between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist?

How do you know if your eyesight is getting worse? 

For many patients, part of asking “Why is my vision getting worse?” can include wondering whether your eyesight is actually getting worse or if you’re just being paranoid. That’s understandable. When it comes to eye health it can be easy to psych yourself out and imagine the worst. 

So, take a deep breath. Again, the best way to verify whether or not your vision is getting worse is to visit an eye doctor. In the meantime, the best way to check whether or not your vision is getting worse is to check your symptoms against those of common eye problems in your age group.  

Why is my vision getting worse every year? Age and vision problems. 

Many vision problems, even those caused by underlying illnesses, have been tied to certain age brackets. Of course, brackets are not set in stone, but they can be useful as a guide. Note that vision changes in young children (those younger than 18) are often related to either the growth and development of the eye or to less common issues. For these reasons, we do not address vision loss in small children in this article. 

Patients in their late teens to 30s 

Many patients who wear glasses or prescription contact lenses will see small fluctuations in their prescriptions over time. These changes are normal and should not be blamed on your glasses (which, despite popular myth, do not weaken the eye). All of that said, certain activities and factors can contribute to worsening vision, even at this age. These include:

Sun damage

The effects of UV damage to eyes has been well documented. Unfortunately, most of this damage is incurred when we are young and less aware of the consequences of not taking care of our eyes.

• Symptoms: Blurry vision, eye redness, pain, light sensitivity. 
• Treatment: Avoid UV damage by wearing quality sunglasses and protective headgear when outside. 

Digital eye strain

With the continued prevalence of digital products, it’s hard to avoid screens these days. Looking at your computer, phone, and TV for so many of the hours of the day can lead to eye strain, especially since humans tend to blink less while looking at a screen. 

• Symptoms: Dry, itchy, burning, sore, and tired eyes, light sensitivity, and headaches.  
• Treatment: To avoid eye damage from cell phone use and the use of other digital products, try implementing the 20-20-20 rule in your routine. This increasingly popular exercise suggests that for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, you look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. There are apps that can help remind you to complete this ritual. 

Poor diet, poor sleep, lack of exercise, and smoking

Like every other organ in your body, the health of your eyes is dependent upon your overall health. If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to stop your eyesight from getting worse, some of the best things you can do include trying your hardest to eat a balanced diet (that includes these top foods for eye health), get adequate sleep, exercise regularly, and avoid or quit smoking.

Patients of 40+ years of age 

Just as our bodies age, so do our eyes. In addition to the above potential causes of vision loss, adults over the age of 40—even those with perfect eyesight up to this point—have a few additional culprits to keep in mind. 

Presbyopia 

Presbyopia is the age-related loss of flexibility in the lens of your eye. The hardening of the lens makes it harder for the eyes to adjust to nearby objects, resulting in farsightedness or “near vision.” 

• Symptoms: difficulty reading small print, eye fatigue after reading, squinting, holding items at a farther distance in order to see them better, needing brighter light. 
• Treatment: Refractive lens exchange, LASIK or PRK monovision procedures 

Cataracts 

Another age-related eye issue, cataracts occur when proteins break down in the lens of your eye, creating a cloudy lens and blurry vision. Cataracts are an extremely common vision issue and cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the world.

• Symptoms: Clouded and blurred vision, glare, halos, problems with night vision, fading/yellowing of colors. If these symptoms sound familiar, check our article on early signs of cataracts.
• Treatment: Laser cataract surgery with lens replacement 

Glaucoma

Glaucoma involves the buildup of fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye. Unable to drain properly, this fluid creates increased eye pressure and eventually damage to your optic nerves, which in turn can lead to blindness. 

• Symptoms: Intense eye pain, blurred vision, nausea, halos, issues seeing in low light. 
• Treatment: Filtration surgery, Laser Trabeculoplasty, Endoscopic CycloPhotocoagulation 

Presbyopia, cataracts, and glaucoma are by far the most common eye problems and diseases patients over 40 should watch out for. Additional yet less common eye problems include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and keratoconus. 

What if my eyesight is getting worse all of a sudden? Or if my eyesight is getting worse every day? Will I go blind? 

If you’re wondering, “Why is my vision getting worse?” because your vision has deteriorated very suddenly, it’s imperative that you seek treatment as soon as possible. Suddenly worsening vision is almost always an indicator of an underlying serious condition. These conditions range from stroke to brain inflammation to acute angle-closure glaucoma. 

While there is no guarantee that a sudden change in vision will cause blindness, ignoring sudden vision changes highly increases the likelihood that you will go blind. We cannot stress this enough: If you experience rapid changes in vision quality, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Can your vision improve naturally? If so, how can I improve it? 

Vision improves without medical treatment only in extremely rare cases, most of which involve young children whose eyes were still developing. There are some who believe that certain eye exercises, massages, and diets can improve vision over time, but these assertions have yet to hold water in clinical tests. 

When my prescription stabilizes, are there ways of improving your eyesight? 

Yes! As noted above, there are also many current procedures that address vision loss due to cataracts, presbyopia, glaucoma, and more. 

Over time, many patients with vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism have achieved clear vision again with the help of procedures such as LASIK in Houston and PRK. Note that almost all ophthalmologists do not provide LASIK and PRK to patients under the age of 18. The eyes of patients under age 18 are typically still changing. 

Worried that your eyesight is getting worse? Visit Eye Center of Texas.

The eye is an extremely important and complex organ, so it’s often difficult to get a comprehensive answer to the question, “Why is my vision getting worse?” without speaking to a doctor in person. Eye Center of Texas is one of the leading ophthalmology practices in Houston. 

With nationally recognized doctors Dr. Mark L. Mayo and Edward C. Wade at the helm of Eye Center of Texas’s extremely talented team, patients can expect top-quality treatment and care. While we are most well-known for providing thousands with restored vision via laser cataract surgery and LASIK, we are also highly experienced in other eye health issues both common and rare.  

Ready to see your way to clearer vision? Request a consultation with Eye Center of Texas by calling us at 713-797-1010 or contacting us online today. 

More Helpful Resources From Eye Center of Texas: 

• Why Are My Eyes Red All of the Time? 
• Knowing When to Have Cataract Surgery 
• Pain Around the Eyes: What It May Mean
• Why Is There a Bump on My Eyelid? 
• What is a Corneal Abrasion?

If you aren’t a doctor who specializes in the treatment of eyes, it’s only natural that you might not understand what’s the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. 

But if you suddenly find yourself in need of an eye doctor, you need to learn about the differences between these two types of eye specialists. 

When should you see an ophthalmologist vs. an optometrist? What can an optometrist detect that an ophthalmologist cannot and vice versa? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and more.

Understanding what’s the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist (and an optician)

Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians… try saying that five times fast! All three of these titles are used by eye care professionals and the difference between their areas of expertise isn’t always obvious to the average person. Let’s break it down.

Ophthalmologist 

• Education: Undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, 3-8 years of residency, with an additional possible 1-year internship
• Title: Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• Are licensed to: Perform eye exams and vision tests; diagnose and treat eye conditions; prescribe medications and corrective lenses; perform eye surgery; provide post-operative care
• Other: Subspecialties in the study of specific eye diseases and surgical techniques, may also conduct and contribute to research regularly 

Optometrists

• Education: Undergraduate degree, four years of optometry school
• Title: Doctor of Optometry (OD)
• Are licensed to: Perform eye exams and vision tests; prescribe corrective lenses and contacts; prescribe some medications (an optometrist’s scope of practice is dependent upon each state’s board of optometry)

Opticians 

• Education: Opticianry training (Only in some states — including Texas)
• Title: Opticians are not doctors and thus do not have a medical title
• Are licensed to: In Texas, opticians are licensed to take a prescription (written by an optometrist or ophthalmologist) and create glasses that match your specifications 

Do I need to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist? 

If you have no medical history of eye and vision problems and/or simply want a routine eye exam, you will likely have all your needs met by visiting an optometrist.

However, if you do have a history of eye and vision problems and are experiencing additional symptoms, it may be in your best interest to visit an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists often provide a wider range of treatment options, including surgical solutions. For example, here are some of the procedures performed by the ophthalmologists at Eye Center in Texas: 

• PRK surgery in Houston 
• LASIK eye surgery in Houston
• Cataract surgery in Houston 
• Eyelid surgery in Houston 
• Laser eye surgery for glaucoma 

Very often, you will come across clinics where optometrists and ophthalmologists work together as a team.

Please note that the ophthalmologists at Eye Center of Texas do not perform routine eye examinations. We encourage our patients to visit our partner Optometrists, available on our recommended optometrists page.

Visit the Ophthalmologists at Eye Center of Texas

At Eye Center of Texas, we understand that a visit to any doctor — be it an ophthalmologist, optometrist, dentist, or even your GP — can be stressful. That’s why our doctors always take their time with patients and prioritize their comfort and care.

If you have a pre-existing eye condition or are on the lookout for top eye surgeons in your area, request an appointment online or call Eye Center of Texas today at 713-797-1010.

Related Resources:
Cataract Surgery for Both Eyes at Once: Is it Safe?
How Many Times Can You Have LASIK?
How to Care for Someone After LASIK
Why Use Preservative Free Eyedrops After LASIK?
After LASIK, Does the Flap Heal?

March is National Save Your Vision Month and while you may think that having good vision means that your eyes are healthy, that may not always be the case.  A comprehensive eye exam that include dilation is important to help your doctor see the early symptoms of both vision-related and overall health problems.
When your eyes are dilated, your eye doctor can view the entire retina, including the blood vessels and optic nerve. This allows your doctor to see early signs of damage that could be indicators of serious conditions such as diabetes, tumors, high blood pressure, infectious diseases, macular degeneration and retinal detachment as well as other conditions.
If your doctor recommends dilation, he or she will put special drops in each eye to widen the pupil, which is the opening in the center of the iris (the colored part of the eye). Dilating the pupil allows more light to enter the eye the same way opening a door allows light into a dark room. Once dilated, each eye is examined using a special magnifying lens that provides a clear view of important tissues at the back of the eye, including the retina, the macula, and the optic nerve.
In a person with diabetic retinopathy (the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in the United States), the exam may show swelling or leaking of blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layers of tissue at the back of the eye. Your doctor may also see abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina associated with diabetic retinopathy.
In age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common cause of vision loss and blindness in people over the age of 50, the exam may show yellow deposits called drusen or clumps of pigment beneath the retina. In some cases, the exam may also show abnormal growth of blood vessels beneath the retina. These AMD-related changes tend to cause deterioration of a small area of the retina called the macula, which is needed for sharp, central vision.
A comprehensive dilated eye exam is also critical for detecting glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve, which carries information from the eyes to the brain. In a person with glaucoma, the dilated exam may show changes in the shape and color of the optic nerve fibers. The exam may also show excessive cupping of the optic disc, the place where the optic nerve fibers exit the eye and enter the brain.
While your eyes are dilated, they will be more sensitive to light. If you do not have sunglasses with you, the doctor’s office will have disposable shades for you to use as you leave. You may also experience difficulty with close-up vision until the drops wear off, usually within a few hours.
Please remember, getting a delated eye exam can save your vision.

Many LASIK patients ask if they will ever need to see their optometrist again after their LASIK procedure. After all, most LASIK patients will no longer require glasses or contact lenses. However, while your vision may be 20/20 or better following your LASIK procedure, it is still important to visit your eye doctor once a year for a routine annual checkup to maintain the health of your eyes.
In addition to assessing eyesight and prescribing eye glasses and/or contacts, optometrists are trained to look for eye diseases and conditions that can threaten vision and overall health, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and other eye diseases. Serious eye diseases, such as glaucoma, often have no symptoms at all until permanent vision loss occurs. A yearly visit to your eye doctor is your best defense against possible future debilitating eye diseases.
Our LASIK surgeons, Dr. Mark L. Mayo and Dr. Edward C. Wade have incredible confidence in the results achieved by their patients and stand behind their work.  Every patient who chooses Eye Center of Texas for their LASIK surgery is covered under our “Limited Lifetime Warranty”.
ECT warranty includes:
If a LASIK patient’s vision worsens anytime within the first year and if treatment is deemed medically appropriate by the surgeon ECT will cover the cost of an enhancement.  If a patients vision worsens after the first year and if treatment is deemed medically appropriate by the surgeon, ECT will offer an enhancement for a reduced fee*.  Warranty eligibility is easy for you to maintain by simply having an annual eye exam with an optometrist within our referral network.
*please refer to your paperwork for reduced fee amount.

If you require a routine eye exam or are simply updating your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription, a visit to the optometrist is the best option. However, for a specific problem in the eye resulting from a disease, trauma, infection, or surgery, an ophthalmologist is the most appropriate professional to visit.
An optometrist (also known as O.D.s or Doctors of Optometry) is a primary healthcare doctor of the eye and visual system who provides comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system. An optometrist will perform an eye exam and write a prescription for corrective lenses.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in all aspects of eye care, including diagnosis, management, and surgery of ocular diseases and disorders.
It’s common for ophthalmologist and optometrist to work together and co-manage a patient’s eye care needs. Here’s a real-life scenario: an optometrist conducts your thorough eye exam and prescribes corrective lenses (glasses and/or contact lenses). However, if surgery is indicated or if the optometrist detects and eye concern that is outside of his or her scope of practice, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist for more advanced care.
Eye Center of Texas specializes in all aspects of eye care, including diagnosis, management, and surgery of ocular diseases and disorders, however we do not perform routine eye exams or write prescriptions for corrective lenses (glasses and / or contact lenses).
We are happy to help you find an optometrist who provides comprehensive eye and vision care.  “Find an Optometrist in Your Area“:  https://www.eyecenteroftexas.com/patient-resources/ods-in-your-area/

Yes, it is important to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year.  A comprehensive eye exam includes dilation – which allows for the evaluation of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and glaucoma and even life-threatening conditions like a brain tumor.

In 2013 Dr. Wade saw a patient…who had been seeing another ophthalmologist since 2009.  Dr. Wade ordered additional tests – which determined the patient had a tumor on his pituitary gland that was pressing on his optic nerve, which was causing loss of vision.  Dr. Wade immediately scheduled an MRI and referred him to a neurosurgeon at Methodist Hospital.  Following the removal of the macro adenoma tumor, his vision has been totally restored.

Dr. Autry saw a child who was complaining of headaches (his vision blurry in one eye) and after she dilated and looked behind his eyes she discovered a tumor.  She immediately called Texas Children’s Hospital where his tumor was removed.

While these are extreme cases, there are eye diseases like glaucoma that can steal sight without any pain, symptoms or signs…and if not treated can cause permanent loss of vision.  Other diseases can also be detected by looking at your blood vessels, and retina.  They may be able to tell you if you are developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol or other problems.  And if you have diabetes, an annual eye exam is the most important thing you can do for your eyes. (Further reading: diabetic retinopathy surgery)

Eye Center of Texas is preferred by hundreds of eye doctors for Houston LASIK, cataracts, and other advanced treatments. Request an appointment today.