PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Eye exams might not be at the top of your to-do list, but doctors say they should be– especially as screen time increases and vision issues show up earlier than ever.
One man knows the importance of keeping sight in check, not just from personal experience– but from helping others do the same.
Doctors are using National Eye Exam Awareness month to explain the importance of eye checks.
Jamezz McKinney has sat through countless eye exams.
“I have been in glasses since I was probably six years old,” said McKinney
And while he was a little hesitant to wear them at first, one thing made glasses a lot more appealing.
“I wanted to see,” said McKinney.
As he got older, McKinney noticed another shift in his vision.
“I started to work more and more on computers. My eyes started to get more and more fatigued. And I realized that I needed some assistance,” said McKinney.
That’s a trend Dr. Kyra Dorvall says is becoming more common in her practice.
“We are seeing a lot of younger people starting to have problems up close at the computer and looking at their phones. That can both affect their vision—so, they may need glasses for those activities—but also, I see a lot of dry eye related to those activities because we don’t blink when we look at screens,” said Doctor of Optometry Kyra Dorvall.
But she’s also seen much more serious cases.
“There are times that I do find cancer in the eye, both inside the eye and on the eye. It can look completely normal, and you can be completely asymptomatic. Sometimes there are small holes and tears in the back of the eye that can lead to blindness, but if we catch them early, they can be fixed,” said Dorvall.
That’s why she stresses the importance of regular eye exams.
During a typical appointment, doctors first check your vision to make sure you’ve got the right prescription.
Then, they evaluate eye health– looking at both the front and back of the eye.
Finally, they examine how your eyes function– like peripheral vision and movement.
“Eye exams are very gentle and non-invasive,” said Dorvall.
As for McKinney, he’s more than just a patient.
He now works for Pearle vision– helping others find their perfect pair of glasses, so that everyone who walks in needing a little clarity walks out not just more stylish, but with a new outlook that truly brings their world into focus.
Dr. Dorvall says over the last few years, the field has seen some technology changes.
That includes a camera that can take pictures of the back of the eye, allowing doctors to compare any changes.
Plus, there are new filters in glasses, which can help block sun and computer light.
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