The importance of an eye exam for seniors should be stressed year-round. If you are a caregiver for an elderly loved one, make sure an eye exam is part of his or her regular medical regimen.
Adults aged 55 to 64 need a complete general eye exam every one to three years. Adults 65 and older should be seen every one to two years. People who wear glasses or contacts – or who have a condition such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis that affects their eyes – should go more often.
Many of our clients receiving in-home care from Daybreak Adult Care Services rely on Medicare for health insurance. Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover eye exams, but some Medicare Advantage Plans offer extra benefits. Medicare does cover a yearly diabetic retinopathy exam for people with diabetes; a yearly glaucoma test for people at high risk; and certain macular degeneration tests and treatments. Be sure to call and ask the doctor’s office about prices and insurance. Many optometrists and ophthalmologists offer discounts on exams and glasses or contacts.
We’ve all heard the expression “Eyes are the windows to the soul.” That is certainly a poetic thought, but eyes are indeed the windows to your health. Vision issues that are discovered during an eye exam can reveal other health issues you might not know about.
During an exam, each eye is examined for signs of serious issues such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and detached retinas, among other things. Receiving regular eye exams regardless of vision acuity can help detect serious problems at the earliest stage when they are most treatable.
Because many seniors have or are at high risk for diabetes, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration, an eye exam is more important than ever. If you are a caregiver for a senior, make sure an eye exam is a part of his or her regular medical regimen.
