Medical Eye Care

How often should I get an eye exam?

By age 2 for infants and toddlers (as early as 6 months)
Before starting school
Before starting a new sport (baseline concussion testing included)
Yearly for all patients 50 and older
More frequent as necessary due to systemic and ocular conditions which can result in decreased vision and or quality of life.
At least every two years for healthy eyes.

Why is it important to have a regular comprehensive eye exam?

One major reason is to look for diabetic eye disease. Diabetes is a disease that interferes with a person’s ability to metabolize sugar. There are often no visual symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. You may never notice changes in your vision. That is why it is important for anyone with diabetes to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least yearly. Early detection and treatment can limit the potential for significant vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.

It is imperative that we understand severe vision loss or even blindness can occur as a result of uncontrolled or poorly managed diabetes.

Diabetic eye disease may include:

• Diabetic retinopathy: damage to the blood vessels and tissue in the retina.

• Cataract: a clouding of the lens of the eye. Cataracts develop at an earlier age in people with diabetes.

• Glaucoma: Optic nerve damage, typically from an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye, and loss of vision. A person with diabetes is nearly twice as likely to get glaucoma as other adults.

Dr. Hutchins works in collaboration with Diego Colonje, M.D. , a Retina Surgeon specializing in diseases of the retina and vitreous, as part of the Global Vision Foundation to provide diabetic eye care to underserved areas of northern Mexico. The foundation completes multiple mission trips each year, saving the vision of many who would otherwise experience unnecessary & permanent loss of vision.