William Shakespeare once said, “The eyes are the windows to your soul.” Our medical director, Dr. Eva Liang, notes that our eyes are, most importantly, our windows to the world.
“Without healthy vision, your quality of life is enormously diminished. This is why it is my life’s work and passion to help preserve and promote good eye health. The most effective form of eye care is prevention, so it is important for people to know that from childhood to our senior years, regular eye exams are crucial.” said Dr. Liang.
Healthy Vision for Children
Dr. Liang recommends that, from early school age, children be tested to ensure optimal eye health. She also says that children should cultivate a lifetime habit of wearing protective eyewear for prevention of injury and ultraviolet light exposure, beginning with UV protective, polarized sunglasses—especially in a bright, desert, climate, like that of southern Nevada.
Additionally, as children mature, they rely on their eyes for success academically and with activities. Teens should have their eyesight checked prior to first driving lessons and for safety and performance in competitive sports.
Healthy Vision as You Age
As you approach middle age, regular screening for eye disease is imperative. After the age of 40, your risk of macular degeneration increases exponentially. Biannual exams, in combination with a healthy lifestyle free of smoking, is the best prevention and path to a lifetime of healthy vision.
Also, middle age brings the risk for Glaucoma, which is one of the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. Because onset lacks noticeable symptoms, many people who suffer from this disease don’t even know they have it. A simple in-office test can diagnose glaucoma in the early, treatable stages.
After the age of 60, examinations of the cornea, iris, lens, and retina are important for the detection and monitoring of cataracts. Center For Sight specializes in the surgical treatment of this common condition.
If you have a family history of diabetes, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, Dr. Liang strongly advises that you have your eyes checked at least once every two years, and if you are over 60, at least once a year. To schedule your next eye exam, call Center For Sight, at 702.20.HAPPY or click here.
