What Happens During a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

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Have you ever wondered what a comprehensive eye exam is? Youreye doctor in Falls Church, VA, has probably recommended you have one. But what is it, and what does it entail?

Let’s take a look.

What Happens During a Comprehensive Eye Exam?

Acomprehensive eye exam in Falls Church, VA, is a several-step process. Here is how the process goes.

Step One: Consultation

Your eye doctor will talk with you about your medical history and visual health. They will also ask you about your lifestyle and any concerns you might have. Your eye doctor will use this information to personalize your comprehensive eye exam to best suit your needs.

Step Two: Evaluate Your Visual Health

The eye doctor will then need to test your visual acuity. This will involve having you read an eye chart. Doing so will help determine how well you can see at various distances. Once this is done, they will do a refraction test. This helps the doctor see if you have any refractive issues. The refractive test will show if you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or an astigmatism.

Step Three: Intraocular Pressure Checks

This step involves using some advanced technology to examine the internal structures of your eyes. The pressure check will help your doctor see if there are any signs of disease present. For example, glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration.

Step Four: Eye Doctor Recommendations

Your eye doctor will then discuss the findings of your comprehensive dental exam with you. At this point, the doctor will address any concerns they might have and make recommendations for maintaining or improving your vision.

Do You Need an Eye Doctor in Falls Church, VA?

If you need an eye doctor in Falls Church, VA, pleaseContact Nova Vision Center. Don’t take the health of your eyes for granted. Take the first step in maintaining good vision and schedule an appointment today. Your eyesight is irreplaceable, so don’t delay.

Symptoms of Macular Degeneration

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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a very common condition in America. It occurs when the macula, located in the center of your retina, becomes damaged. Because the macula is responsible for helping you see clear details, such as facial features, macular degeneration can greatly impact your quality of life. Keeping regular appointments with youreye doctor in Falls Church, VA, can lead to early diagnosis and better outcomes for patients who have age-related macular degeneration.

Early Warning Signs of Macular Degeneration

Symptoms of age-related macular degeneration include:

  • Straight lines that appear wavy
  • Blurred vision
  • Dark or empty spots in vision
  • Problems recognizing familiar faces
  • Difficulty with central vision

Unfortunately, symptoms such as these can greatly impact your quality of life. Left untreated, AMD can lead to severe vision loss. But before you lose your vision, you may lose other abilities, such as your ability to drive or read. This is why it’s so important to keep appointments with your vision specialist, especially as you age. Early diagnosis of AMD can help you protect the vision you have and may prevent your vision from worsening.

What Can Be Done? 

Your eye doctor has interventions that can lessen the damage of AMD. Injections or laser therapy may be helpful. Low-vision devices, such as magnifying lenses, may also be beneficial. While there’s no current cure for age-related macular degeneration, seeking early diagnosis and treatment may preserve the vision you have. It will also help you learn to manage your condition so that it has less negative impact on your daily routine.

Help for AMD in Fall Church, VA

If you need help with symptoms ofAMD in Falls Church, VA, call Nova Vision Center today. Our experienced professionals will be happy to perform a routine eye exam to find out what’s happening with your vision.

When Should I Have a Diabetic Eye Exam?

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Diabetes is a condition that affects many areas of the body, including the eyes. The tissues and blood vessels in the eyes are very delicate and can be easily damaged by diabetes. When this happens, it’s called diabetic retinopathy. Youreye doctor in Falls Church, VA, offers special diabetic eye exams to patients who need them. The question is, when should you have a diabetic eye exam, and how often?

When to Have a Diabetic Eye Exam

If you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association says that you should have an annual diabetic eye exam no later than five years after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. If you have Type 2 Diabetes, you should have your first diabetic eye exam as soon as possible after diagnosis.

However, these are general guidelines. There are two other things to consider. One is the sooner diabetic retinopathy is detected by your eye doctor, the sooner it can be managed, and more of your vision could be saved. The other is that if you experience any symptoms of deteriorating eye health from diabetes, you should see your eye doctor immediately, no matter when you were diagnosed or even if you’ve yet to be diagnosed.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

  • Pressure or pain in the eye
  • Seeing flashing lights or “sparkles”
  • Dark spots or missing patches in your field of vision
  • Increase in number of floaters (moving spots or lines)
  • Seeing red streaks in your field of vision
  • Sudden worsening of night vision
  • Sudden double vision
  • Sudden blurred vision

All of these could be signs of diabetic retinopathy, and indicate that you should have a diabetic eye exam as soon as possible.

To schedule yourdiabetic eye exam in Falls Church, VA, contact our office today to book your appointment. The sooner that diabetic retinopathy is detected, the better outcome for your eyesight.

3 Changes to Make Today to Lower Your Risks of Macular Degeneration  

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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most concerning eye diseases. The condition is progressive, and there is no cure; there are only methods of slowing progression. While we offer macular degeneration services in Falls Church, VA, taking preventative steps before diagnosis is always a good plan. Take a look at a few things you can do differently starting today that can lower your risks of macular degeneration.

1. Adopt a Healthy Diet

Your diet plays a large role in your overall risks of AMD. Include food choices and ingredients in your everyday diet that are rich in valuable nutrients, including antioxidants, important vitamins, and vital minerals. Dark, leafy greens, colorful fruits and vegetables, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids can support eye health and reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

2. Exercise Regularly

Engage in regular physical activity, as it promotes overall well-being and health, including your eye health. Exercise contributes to good blood circulation throughout the body, which is essential for maintaining healthy eyes and reducing the risk of AMD.

3. Protect Your Eyes from the Sun

UV exposure is directly related to the risks of AMD development. Therefore, work to protect your eyes from the sun. Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection to shield your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays. This is a simple yet effective way to prevent damage to the eyes and lower the risk of macular degeneration.

Discuss Visual Health with a Falls Church, VA Eye Doctor

Discussing your visual health with an eye doctor in Falls Church, VA, is essential for early detection and management of eye-related issues. At Nova Vision Center, our experienced team is dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care services. Schedule an appointment today to prioritize your eye health and reduce the risks associated with macular degeneration.