Your eyes may be a tiny part of your body, but they play a large role in how you experience the world. They help you sense motion and color, intuit facial expressions and body language and see the wonders of your life in three dimensions. Here's what you need to know to keep your peepers in top form.

* Exam Essentials

Even if you have no problem with your vision, regular eye exams are critical to eye health, says Justin L. Gottlieb, M.D., a retina specialist and associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison.

* Who Provides Eye Care?

Ophthalmologists-medical doctors who specialize in eyes-provide total eye care, prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing and treating eye problems, and performing surgery. Optometrists assess vision, prescribe corrective lenses and diagnose and sometimes treat eye problems. Opticians fill prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses.

* What Happens during an Eye Exam?

In a standard eye exam, the practitioner gives tests that measure visual acuity, or vision; evaluates refraction, which helps determine a person's prescription for glasses or contacts; and checks for eye problems. An ophthalmologist also checks eye movement and peripheral vision and examines the front and back of the eye.

"Ophthalmologists [and optometrists] use a slit lamp, which shines an intense line of light to illuminate the cornea, iris and other structures located at the front of the eye," says Dr. Gottlieb. Special drops dilate the pupil and let the doctor view the retina and other structures at the back of the eye with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. Doctors also examine the skin around the eye.

* When Should I Get a Vision Exam?

If you don't wear corrective lenses or have a family history of eye disease or a condition that can affect vision, such as diabetes, get an eye exam every two to four years between the ages of 40 and 64. Starting at age 65, get one every year to two years. If you wear glasses or contacts, ask your eye doctor how often you should have an exam. You may need more frequent exams if you have a family history of eye disease or a condition that can affect vision. If you are African American, get more frequent eye exams, since your risk of glaucoma is higher.

* Why is Proper Eye Care Important?

The right corrective lenses can enhance your quality of life. More important, early diagnosis of eye disease can prevent vision loss.

Make an appointment today for an eye exam. Then, you can relax and enjoy the wonderful sights around you.

Writer: Barbara Crow

©MediZine's Healthy Living, Second Quarter 2007