Eye Exams: Essential for Your Overall Health
November 08, 2024 | Tags:
The importance of eye exams
An annual eye examination might seem like one more thing to add to your to-do list, but eye health is key to your overall wellness.
Eye exams don’t just monitor your vision or mark changes to your lens prescription; they help detect or diagnose health conditions that can impact your vision and other non-eye-related issues – even if you aren’t showing symptoms.
Early detection matters
Chronic conditions with long-term effects to vision are often detected during an eye exam. For example, diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy, which is the leading cause, and one of the most preventable causes, of vision loss and blindness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
And it’s not just medical conditions. “Long-term effects resulting from certain medications can also be prevented with regular eye exams,” said Dr. Misty Arnold, Assistant Medical Director at Medical Mutual. Be sure to discuss any potential risks of your medications with your primary care provider (PCP). Preventing vision loss or worsening eyesight can be treated when caught early enough.
Individuals over the age of 60 are at the highest risk for eye diseases as well as those with diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), RA or osteoporosis.
Eye exams are preventive care, too
You don’t have to wear lenses or have issues with your eyesight to justify having your vision checked regularly. “Eye exams should be done yearly like any other preventive health screening,” Dr. Arnold said. She recommends scheduling an eye exam along with other yearly appointments, such as physical exams and blood work.
Be aware of any issues occurring with your vision and see a doctor immediately if you experience severe eye pain or irritation or severe headaches. Vision loss, even if temporary, floaters, flashes and halos can all be signs of significant health issues. Contact your eye care provider to schedule an evaluation.
Resources for Medical Mutual members
Medical Mutual partners with EyeMed to provide competitive vision benefits with cost effective options for vision services. Call the Medical Mutual Customer Care number listed on your member ID card to speak to a representative. Medicare Advantage members should call the Mutual Advantage Insight number at 1-844-854-2906.
Individual ACA members can purchase an individual vision plan separately, which has providers available through the EyeMed Access network.
Those with Medicare Supplement plans can purchase an individual vision plan or Supplement Plus, a supplemental benefits plan that includes vision through the EyeMed Insight network.