Having good vision is more than seeing clearly. Aside from nearsightedness , farsightedness and astigmatism, there are diseases like glaucoma, cataracts or retinal diseases that may affect your vision.

A comprehensive eye exam involves tests designed to evaluate the overall condition of your eyes. Your eye doctor does not only determine changes in the eye grade or prescription but also evaluates the lenses and retina.

Says Asian Eye Institute refractive/ LASIK surgeon and comprehensive ophthalmologist Dr. Emerson Cruz: “The only way to know if your eyes are truly healthy is by doing a thorough eye exam. We can detect eye diseases at an early stage—when they are most treatable. Most of these diseases don’t have signs or symptoms at the onset, so it’s important that we treat them early to prevent vision loss.”

Children’s eyes should be checked at six months old, at age 3 and right before they start going to school. Children without eye problems should be examined at least every two years; however, those with existing eye problems or those who were born prematurely, have developmental delays or are cross-eyed should be checked more often.

Adults, on the other hand, should undergo a comprehensive eye exam yearly.

Dr. Cruz notes: “As you age, your risk of developing eye diseases also increases. More so if you have a family history of any eye disease, wear eyeglasses or contacts, take medications that can affect eyesight (like steroids) or smoke.

“Those with chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes are strongly recommended to have their eyes checked more frequently,” he adds.

Make eye exams a part of your commitment to your overall health. For overseas Filipino worker (OFW) families, Asian Eye has an OFW Family Eye Care program that offers comprehensive eye exams at discounted rates. For more info, call 898-2020. (Story/Photos by: Charizze Henson)