Senior Eye Care from Our King George & Culpeper Optometrist
Senior eyes need senior eye care, especially since they face a higher risk for certain sight-robbing diseases. That’s why our King George & Culpeper optometrist Dr. Press at Eye Care of Virginia offers senior eye exams. These exams test for:
Dry Eye Syndrome – Dry eyes are common in older people, not only due to changes in hormonal balance but also because many medications can affect tear production. Our Culpeper eye doctor can examine your eyes and your tear film consistency to determine whether you need eye drops or other treatment.
Cataracts – Cataracts can progress quite slowly, beginning by age 50 and developing into a noticeable problem in your senior years. This thickening of lens proteins can cause blurry vision, strange visual artifacts, and impaired night or color vision. A combination of visual acuity testing and slit lamp testing enables us to diagnose cataracts and monitor their growth until it makes sense to recommend surgical removal.
Glaucoma – Glaucoma is a condition in which elevated pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) damages the delicate blood vessels that feed the optic nerve. This condition can cause progressive loss of peripheral vision and eventual blindness if undetected. Glaucoma risk rises from middle age onward, making tests such as tonometry (which measures the intraocular pressure) an essential part of your Culpeper senior eye exam.
Ocular Hypertension – Ocular hypertension is not glaucoma; it is the state of excessive intraocular pressure that can easily lead to glaucoma. Normal intraocular pressure tends to hover under 21 mm Hg, with slight variances among different populations. Ocular hypertension becomes more common after the age of 40. If we detect this condition, our Culpeper eye doctor will examine your ocular drainage system, prescribe medications as needed and schedule regular follow-up screenings.
Age-related Macular Degeneration – AMD is a major cause of vision loss in people over the age of 65, which is why our Culpeper eye doctor includes testing for it in a senior eye care exam. We examine the retina to look for abnormalities in the macula, the area of the retina responsible for central vision. We will also have you look at a pattern called an Amsler grid to see whether AMD is affecting your vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy – Type 2 diabetes can strike at any age, but it’s most likely to appear after the age of 40. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels of the retina, causing blurred vision, intrusive “floaters” and other vision problems. Our Culpeper optometrist will dilate your pupils and perform a detailed inspection of your retinas to look for signs of diabetic retinopathy — which could actually serve as your first warning that you have diabetes at all.
Schedule Your Senior Eye Exam at Eye Care of Virginia Today!
Contact Eye Care of Virginia today by calling (540) 825-3937 to learn more about our Culpeper senior eye exam. We also have another location in King George and can be reached at (540) 663-3937. Maybe it’s time you took this simple extra precaution for ensuring healthy eyes in your golden years!