Routine eye exams are just as important as physicals you get from a doctor. Regardless of your vision or age, there are preventative measures that a comprehensive eye exam can provide. During these exams, doctors not only evaluate your eyesight, but they check for common eye diseases even though you may not be experiencing symptoms.

Here is a list of conditions doctors look for and some recommended eye care solutions.

Refractive Errors: Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery (Lasik) are recommended solutions.

Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): When the eyes are turned or when one eye has a much different prescription than the other. The brain can shut off the image of the turned or blurry eye. If left untreated, Amblyopia can lead to future vision loss. Placing a patch over the stronger eye for periods of time is often the recommended treatment.

Strabismus (Crossed Eye): When your eyes are crossed and they fail to maintain proper alignment. This can cause problems with depth perception and can lead to Amblyopia. Getting prescription glasses can help. If that doesn’t work, eye muscle exercises, or surgery may be required.

Eye teaming issues: If your eyes aren’t working together well, this causes binocular vision problems and affects your depth perception. It can cause headaches and eyestrain. Consult your doctor about possible eye therapy to restore flexibility to the teaming system.

Eye Diseases: Glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy have no symptoms in their early stages. Glaucoma is a condition of increased pressure within your eyeball, while diabetic retinopathy involves damage to the small blood vessels in your retina due to high blood sugar levels. Both of these conditions do not have early symptoms, but can be detected through comprehensive eye exams, to help prevent future vision loss.

Children should also be checked, especially in early stages. Poor vision is closely linked to the learning process. If your child is having trouble seeing, poor eyesight could be the reason for trouble with schoolwork.

If you are in need of a complete eye care exam, please call the East West Eye Institute, at 877-871-1684