Preventive eye examinations

Regular preventive eye examinations are crucial for detecting diseases at an early stage and maintaining vision in the long term. They should be carried out annually from birth until the end of school and from the age of 40; from the age of 60, they should also be carried out to monitor age-related changes. In addition to testing visual acuity, eye screening enables the early diagnosis of numerous diseases, often before symptoms appear.

Special attention is paid to glaucoma, a painless increase in intraocular pressure that can lead to blindness if left untreated. Symptoms only develop once a large proportion of the optic nerve cells have been destroyed, which is why early detection is essential. Diagnostics include measuring intraocular pressure, assessing the optic nerve head and, if necessary, visual field and OCT examinations. Normal-pressure glaucoma may also be present, which is why examination of the optic nerve is always necessary.

Since the eye provides insight into the vascular system, internal and neurological diseases can also be detected at an early stage, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, rheumatic or thyroid diseases. Regular check-ups are particularly important for diabetes and high blood pressure in order to prevent retinal damage without early symptoms.

A complete screening includes visual acuity measurement, tonometry and examination of the eye sections using a slit lamp; additional tests may also be performed. Pupil-dilating drops are usually used for a complete examination, which impair vision for several hours – driving is not permitted during this time. Sunglasses may be comfortable to wear afterwards.