Maintaining healthy vision Published Aug. 6, 2007 By Capt. Wesley Kinerk 35th AMDS Aerospace Vision MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- At the optometry clinic some of the most frequent questions we hear are about how often someone should have their eyes examined. For most people, a comprehensive eye examination is recommended every two years, even if you don't wear glasses. A comprehensive examination does more than just determine whether or not you need glasses. Your eyes are also evaluated for diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and signs of systemic diseases that can affect the eye such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Some people, including contact lens wearers, children, and persons with diseases such as glaucoma and diabetes should have examinations more frequently. Contact lens wearers should have annual eye examinations. Contact lens wear increases the risk of many eye diseases including corneal ulcers, a vision threatening infection of the eye. Annual contact lens exams dramatically reduce the risk of complications by identifying potential problems before they become serious. Also, new and improved contact lens materials are constantly being developed. These new materials have the potential to make contact lens wear both more comfortable and healthier for your eyes. Anytime your eye gets red, painful, or vision blurs you should take out your contacts immediately and consult your eye doctor. The vast majority of our visual system develops before we turn 5-years-old. The earlier an eye condition is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of having normal vision. The American Optometric Association (www.aoa.org) recommends that asymptomatic children be seen by an eye doctor at ages six months, 3 years old, before starting first grade, and at least every two years thereafter. School vision screenings are very helpful in identifying children with vision problems, but do not replace comprehensive eye examinations. Of course, anytime a child is having problems with their vision such as not being able to see things that others can, squinting to see the television or computer, has an eye turn, or complains that reading hurts their eyes an eye examination should be scheduled. Persons with diabetes should have dilated eye examinations at least once a year. The American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) reports that diabetic retinopathy (a disease which affects blood vessels inside the eye) is the leading cause of blindness in the United States for persons 20-74 years old. Early stages of diabetic retinopathy often have no symptoms, but are detectable with a dilated eye examination. Early detection is the key to minimizing the risk of permanent vision loss. The 35th Medical Group optometry clinic performs comprehensive eye examinations and contact lens examinations. We also order frame of choice spectacles, safety spectacles, gas mask inserts, aviation spectacles, and ballistic eye protection inserts for active duty personnel. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, call the 35th Medical Group central appointment line at 226-6111.