Blog vol 4.41. The case for regular eye exams for ALL ages.
This past week was a bit sobering. At Burlington Eyecare, we have a regular intern in their 4th year of the University of Waterloo Optometry program. The intern was doing a “routine” eye exam on a 44-year-old patient, no family history of eye problems, no complaints, supposedly normal eye pressures, just very routine.
After a regular exam, test results showed that the patient may have the beginnings of glaucoma, not statistically likely at all. Usually, this condition has some genetic component, not this time. After doing a visual field test, we confirmed the diagnosis and got them an appointment with a glaucoma specialist in Burlington ASAP.
In my conversation with the intern, the question arose, how would we have picked up this early onset of glaucoma in the past? A careful look at the optic nerve, a measure of the pressures, and the corneal thickness would not have detected this one. In 2004 we brought in digital photography of the retina, and then in 2009 we stepped it up and got our first optical coherence tomographer (OCT, which measures the structures of the front and back of the eye). In January 2016, our clinic made the decision to put all our patients, 19 and older, on the OCT. One of the best things we ever did. It picks up early structural changes to the eye, small changes, that help us to detect conditions very early on.
This is very good news.
But it only works if we use it on your eyes.
Regular eye exams, folks.
We knew that the OCT gave us valuable information, but the price was very expensive. We had a dilemma: how do we use this technology with patients without breaking the bank (theirs or ours)? It really is that helpful. We cannot see these early changes any other way. The OCT is not OHIP covered at all, so we decided to charge a minimal fee to do the procedure, spreading the cost, and making the test available and affordable for everyone. The staff and doctors have gotten quite good at working with the OCT and it has paid dividends.
Back in 2004, the government stopped paying for eye exams for 20 to 64-year-olds, and we have seen a huge drop in the number of people in this group getting their eyes checked. The patient this week in this unOHIP-covered group, had their glaucoma caught early. If this person waited for symptoms to show up before coming in for an eye exam, there would be permanent, substantial vision loss. We are so glad they did come in, a really wonderful thing!! It is true that most peoples’ eyes are going to be fine but consider a visit to your optometrist inexpensive insurance. Being able to see well is good.
Get in for a regular eye exam, especially you 30 and 40 years old’s. We see your children; we need to see you too.
Til next week,
The good doctor
P.S. The distribution of solar eclipse glasses is a hit! Mark your calendar: APRIL 8, FULL SOLAR ECLIPSE, right here in Burlington! Need eclipse glasses? Come pick up a pair at Burlington Eyecare anytime.
