Dr. Kathy Hotsenpiller

I recently examined a friend of mine who was visiting me from Chicago.  She just turned 40, and noticed that she was having some trouble with small print.  She thought it might be time to get some reading glasses.  During her eye exam, I was quite surprised to find out that she had never had an eye exam before!  She explained that since she had always had perfect vision, she didn't think she needed to get her eyes checked.

She ended up not needing a prescription for glasses, but what I did discover was much more concerning.  When I dilated her pupils to check the health of her eyes, her optic nerves appeared to be quite different in size.  I immediately became suspicious that she may have glaucoma.  Glaucoma is an eye disease that is potentially blinding if it's not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.  Glaucoma is scary because there essentially are no symptoms.  Just like you can't tell when your blood pressure is high, you can't feel it when your eye pressure is high.  By the time you noticed that your peripheral vision was deteriorating, you would be practically blind. 

I immediately took digital photos of her optic nerves.  I also performed a visual field exam which showed a few defects which caused me to become even more concerned.  My friend was shocked that she could possibly have a potentially blinding eye disease without having any symptoms whatsoever! 

It occurred to me that many other people also might think that just because they are seeing well, their eyes must be healthy.  Just like regular dental exams are necessary to ensure healthy teeth, regular eye exams are important to catch eye diseases early, so that we can begin treatment as soon as possible.  I referred my friend to a colleague in Chicago, and now she's being watched carefully for glaucoma.  After 40, we're all at increased risk for eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.  Don't neglect your eye exam just because it's not time for new glasses or contacts yet.  Protect your eyes - get them checked regularly!