Having your eyes checked regularly is the best way to ensure healthy vision. A consultation or comprehensive eye exam will allow for the physician to treat and diagnose eye diseases, such as glaucoma which shows no symptoms in early stages. Several eye conditions, such as cataract, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy need to be monitored on a regular basis.

A cataract is the clouding or opacification of the natural lens of the eye. A normal lens is clear. It lets light pass to the retina. As a cataract develops, it becomes harder for a person to see. Vision may become cloudy or blurry and colors may fade.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve, impairing vision, and sometimes leads to permanent blindness. It affects over three million Americans.

Macular degeneration is a retinal eye disease that gradually deteriorates the central vision causing blurred vision. It can cause blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy is progressive damage to the small blood vessels of the retina due to complications of diabetes. It is the leading cause of blindness in people with diabetes and typically has no symptoms in the early stages. Unfortunately, when symptoms become noticeable the condition is already at an advanced stage. An annual exam may detect this disease allowing early treatment.