Many people think of eye exams as just a way to update their glasses or contact lenses prescription. However, your optometrist evaluates far more than how clearly you see. They’re also checking for signs of eye diseases and even health concerns that impact other parts of your body. 

At Specs of Madison, we offer comprehensive eye exams in Madison that provide a full evaluation of both your vision and eye health. Whether you’re updating your prescription or checking in on your overall health, walk-ins are always welcome. 

Let’s take a closer look at what an eye exam can detect. 

Vision changes and eye focusing problems 

Many people book eye exams to get new glasses or contacts, but checking your prescription is just one part of the visit. An annual eye exam looks at how well your eyes function, how they work together, and whether there are any early signs of underlying issues that could affect your vision or health. 

During your exam, our experienced optometrists check for: 

• Refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism 
• Presbyopia, a condition that affects close-up vision as you age 
• Eye teaming issues that cause eye strain, headaches, or double vision 
• Color vision deficiencies 
• Depth perception problems and peripheral vision loss 

These issues can affect your quality of life, especially if they go uncorrected. You may experience fatigue, frequent headaches, or difficulty reading or driving. Regular vision testing ensures your prescription is accurate and that your eyes are working together as they should. 

Early detection of eye diseases 

Many serious eye conditions develop slowly and without pain or obvious symptoms. With regular eye exams, our eye doctor can catch these problems early before permanent vision loss occurs. 

We will check for signs of conditions such as: 

• Glaucoma: caused by increased pressure in the eye that damages the optic nerve 
• Cataracts: clouding of the eye’s lens that interferes with vision 
• Macular degeneration: a disease that affects central vision and can make daily tasks difficult 
• Diabetic retinopathy: damage to the blood vessels in the retina caused by diabetes 
• Retinal detachment: a serious emergency that can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly 

Early detection allows for more treatment options and better outcomes. Even if you feel your vision is fine, these conditions may be developing silently. 

Systemic health conditions that show up in the eyes 

Your eyes are windows into your overall health. They can reveal signs of systemic conditions that affect your heart, brain, immune system, and more. 

A thorough eye exam can detect: 

• High blood pressure: changes in the blood vessels in your retina can indicate hypertension 
• Diabetes: early signs of diabetic eye disease may appear before a diabetes diagnosis 
• High cholesterol: certain deposits in the eye may point to elevated cholesterol levels 
• Autoimmune disorders: inflammation and other changes in the eye can be signs of conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis 
• Certain types of cancer: Some cancers can show symptoms in or around the eye 

Your optometrist might be the first healthcare provider to notice these signs, which makes routine eye exams an important part of your preventive health care. 

Why scheduling regular eye exams matters 

Even if you don’t wear eyeglasses or contacts, you should still have your eyes examined regularly. Vision can change gradually, and many eye diseases do not have noticeable symptoms in the early stages. 

Adults should generally have an eye exam every one to two years, depending on age, risk factors, and current eye health. Children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions may need more frequent checkups. 

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear 

In conclusion, your eyes can tell us a lot about your overall health, often more than you might expect. During a comprehensive eye exam, our optometrists can spot early signs of issues that may not show up anywhere else. 

If you’re in Madison, Alabama, and haven’t had your eyes checked in a while, Specs of Madison makes it easy to stop in. We welcome walk-ins and offer personalized care in a comfortable, professional setting. To schedule an appointment, please give us a call today at (256) 461-8800 or complete our online request appointment form.