20/20 Is The Year To See Clear

By: Dr. John Titak
Lake Oconee Eye Care

Once again we turn the page from the end of one year to the beginning of another.  The advent of a new year brings various resolutions and pledges.  The majority of these resolutions tend to focus on health and wellness.  This year in particular has special meaning to the segment of the health care community that is involved in eye care.   Everyone is familiar with the value of 20/20 being linked to perfect vision.  The year 2020 provides for the perfect opportunity to be constantly reminded of the importance of vision and eye health.

Checking for clear and precise vision is just one aspect of a comprehensive eye examination. The physical check-up for your eyes can detect many disorders and help ensure that clear vision will continue well into the future. 

Glaucoma is a disorder wherein the optic nerve of the eye suffers damage from elevated pressure within the eye.  It affects approximately 2 percent of the population and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.  It is virtually symptomless and strikes without warning.  Another disorder, macular degeneration, leads to damage to central vision.  Approximately 11 million people in the USA have some form of macular degeneration.  The beginning stages of both these disorders have little or no symptoms.  Here’s the good news, when these disorders are diagnosed at an early stage, steps can be taken to limit their severity.

Eye examinations are typically covered by health insurance plans and can present an opportunity to address problems that you may not necessarily think about.  Wateriness and flaking or crusting of eyelashes are very common eye complaints which require a medical diagnosis and treatment plan.  Allergies are also widespread in Lake Country. Redness, itchiness or puffy eyelids can be symptoms of eye allergies brought on by the many pollens floating about at various times of the year.  When these symptoms exist, a health insurance plan will often provide for an eye examination. Complications from diabetes can have devastating effects on vision.  That is the reason dilated eye examinations are also covered by health insurance to detect signs of diabetic retinopathy.

As we move through the year 2020, think about your most precious sense.  Loss of vision is the number one fear of surveyed adults.  Vision loss can be prevented with a yearly physical for your eyes.  Start in 2020 and then think, “yearly to see clearly.”