Eye Exams: What They Reveal About Your Vision and Overall Health

When you get an eye exam, a comprehensive checkup of your vision and eye health performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Also known as a vision screening, it’s not just about whether you need glasses—it’s a window into your body’s overall condition. Many people think eye exams are only for updating prescriptions, but they can catch serious problems before you feel any symptoms. Things like macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults that damages the central part of the retina or pterygium, a noncancerous growth on the eye surface caused by long-term UV exposure often show up during routine exams, long before they start affecting daily life.

Eye exams don’t just look at your eyes—they scan for signs of diseases that start elsewhere. High blood pressure can leave visible marks on the blood vessels in your retina. Diabetes can cause tiny leaks or swelling that signal early diabetic retinopathy. Even some brain tumors or multiple sclerosis can show early warning signs through changes in eye movement or pupil response. That’s why skipping annual eye exams isn’t just risky for your vision—it’s risky for your whole body. If you’re over 40, have a family history of glaucoma, or spend a lot of time in the sun, these exams become even more critical. And if you’ve been told you have AREDS2 vitamins, a specific nutrient formula proven to slow vision loss in people with intermediate or advanced macular degeneration, your eye doctor will track whether you’re taking them and if they’re helping.

There’s no magic to an eye exam—it’s quick, painless, and doesn’t require special prep. But the information it gives you is anything but simple. Whether you’re dealing with sun-induced eye growths like pterygium, managing chronic conditions that affect your eyes, or just trying to preserve your vision as you age, regular eye exams are your first line of defense. Below, you’ll find real-world guides on what these exams uncover, how to interpret results, and what treatments or supplements actually work when problems show up.