ARTICLE BY: Dr. Raewyn Leech

A common misconception about the need for an eye examination is that if you have “perfect” vision, or if your glasses are working well, that means your eyes are healthy. Not necessarily. Some eye diseases may be present without any symptoms. Glaucoma, for example, is known as the “silent thief of sight” because it does not cause any pain or blurriness to the vision. Glaucoma affects the peripheral vision and can cause permanent vision loss without the patient even knowing they have the disease, as the visual acuity often remains unchanged. Tests for the eye’s pressures and optic nerves are done at every regular eye examination and can help detect the disease before vision loss occurs. Even those without a family history of glaucoma can get the disease.

Retinal holes or tears are another example of eye disease that can be present in an eye with 20/20 vision, but may be present without any symptoms or vision changes. If not detected and properly treated, holes or tears in the retina may advance to a retinal detachment which can have a severe impact on the vision. In some cases, seeing flashes of lights or floating spots may indicate the presence of a retinal hole or tear, but quite often they are asymptomatic and only detected during a routine eye examination by thorough evaluation of the retina.

Routine eye examinations are recommended annually for some and every 2 years for everyone else, depending on your age, health, and eye conditions. Ask your eye professional what is appropriate for you.

Dr. Raewyn Leech is an optometrist at London Ontario’s East London Optometry.

MORE INFO: The folliowing video gives great additional information on this topic: