If it's been some time since you last visited an optometrist and everything seems to be okay with your vision, you may be tempted to skip any appointment. You may not feel that you need any glasses or contact lenses and have not encountered any strange symptoms, so you may want to spend your time elsewhere. Yet, there's a good reason why optometrists recommend regular exams, apart from the need for any vision correction. For example, they may need to check the intraocular pressure within your eyes, but what is this, and why is it so important?
Maintaining Eye Pressure
The eye is a very complex organ. At its very basic level, it is somewhat similar to a tiny rugby ball in shape and also relies on a substance to keep it inflated. In this case, that substance is fluid, known as the aqueous humour. This fluid must maintain a certain amount of pressure within the eye for normal operation, and the pressure level can fluctuate during the day.
Each eye has the equivalent of a valve that allows these fluids to enter and exit as needed in order to keep the pressure within the eye steady. When everything is working as it should, the pressure will vary but should always be between certain levels, measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).
Problems may arise if the pressure is incorrect, but unfortunately, this may not cause any symptoms. Yet badly maintained pressure could lead to some significant knock-on effects, damaging the optic nerve, retina or other areas.
Taking a Tonometry Test
When you present to an optometrist for a regular eye examination, they will conduct a pressure check. To do this, they will touch a special device against the outside of your eye to show how "firm" the eyeball is. This tool will automatically check the pressure, and the expert will know immediately if it is within suitable boundaries.
This kind of check is quick and simple, and the doctor may give you numbing eyedrops before proceeding. In some cases, they may use a different tool that emits a quick puff of air against the eye but will record the same information.
Catching up
As you can see, there's much more to a routine eye examination than a check on your ability to read distant letters. If it's been some time since you saw your optometrist, make an appointment today, so they can check your eye pressure and make sure all is good.
Share12 July 2022
If you want to maintain your eye health, it is really important that you have regular check-ups with an optometrist. An optometrist will perform a number of different tests on your eyes. Because I didn't need glasses, I didn't think I had to go to an eye doctor. However, my wife suggested that I book an appointment for a check-up. I did so and I am so pleased I did. It turns out that I had a problem with my eyes which could cause blindness if left untreated. Thankfully, we caught it early enough so I am now fully recovered. I hope this blog helps you to look after your vision.