Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining good eye health and visual function. While eye exams are often associated with glasses and corrective lenses, they serve a much broader purpose. Assessing vision with an eye chart is just one part of a comprehensive eye exam. A comprehensive eye exam may include an evaluation of the eyelids, cornea, lens, intraocular pressure measurement, and retinal examination. This comprehensive approach allows for an assessment of overall eye health beyond visual acuity. (1)

Early detection of many eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, corneal diseases, keratoconus, amblyopia, and strabismus, enables timely intervention, preventing vision loss and improving treatment outcomes. (2)

Beyond eye diseases, the eyes can also provide information about a person’s overall health. Eye exams can be used to diagnose and monitor systemic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, autoimmune diseases (ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, Behçet’s disease, etc.), thyroid diseases, and neurological diseases. Early detection of these diseases can help prevent serious health problems by enabling timely medical intervention. (3)

1. Smith, J. K., & Smith, P. B. (2020). The comprehensive eye exam: More than visual acuity. American Family Physician, 102(11), 673-679.
2. National Eye Institute. (2021). Common eye disorders. https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn- about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases
3. Kansal, Khushi. (2023). The importance of regular eye exams: Beyond Visual acuity. Indian Journal Of Applied Research. 13.