Eye Exam Fort Myers
Most of us are good about having our teeth cleaned on a regular basis, but we tend to put off eye exams until we notice changes in our vision. An annual eye exam is important because it allows for early detection of eye problems and diseases that often have no obvious symptoms.
Elmquist Eye Group has been serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and communities throughout Lee County and Southwest Florida for more than 20 years. We take pride in offering a unique blend of expert eye care and a passion for providing the best service to our patients.
Dr. E. Trevor Elmquist and his associates, Dr. Kate Wagner and Dr. Nina Burt, provide complete eye care services. Dr. Elmquist is an experienced board certified ophthalmologist, and Drs. Wagner and Burt are board certified optometrists. With state-of-the-art facilities, we offer a wide variety of services, from routine eye exams for glasses to bladeless laser-assisted cataract surgery.
Reasons to Have an Annual Eye Exam
At Elmquist Eye Group, our comprehensive eye exam includes screening for signs of a variety of eye and medical problems, including:
- Cataracts – Cataracts are a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Over time, they can lead to blurred vision. They can occur at any age, but are a very common part of the natural aging process. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S., and an estimated 20.5 million Americans aged 40 years and older have a cataract in one or both eyes. Cataracts can be treated with surgery.
- Glaucoma – Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, often related to elevated intra-ocular pressure. If not treated, glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and lead to blindness. It is estimated that over 4 million Americans have glaucoma, but only half of them know they have it because there are usually no symptoms. Early detection of glaucoma is the key to protecting your eyes against serious vision loss. Glaucoma is most frequently treated with eye drops, however, laser and surgical procedures are also available.
- Macular Degeneration – Often called Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), this disorder affects your central vision and is associated with aging. AMD affects about 2 million people and is the leading cause of vision impairment in people aged 65 years and older. According to the CDC, the risk increases from 2% for people between the ages of 50 and 59 to nearly 30% for people over the age of 75. A comprehensive annual exam can help us detect the early signs of AMD and treat it, if necessary.
- Diabetes – Diabetic retinopathy, or damage to the eye’s retina, is a common complication of diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness among working-aged American adults aged 20–74 years. It may not have any symptoms until the damage is severe. Finding diabetic retinopathy early is the best way to prevent vision loss. Annual eye exams can also detect early signs of diabetes.
A thorough eye exam can detect these conditions and many more. During the exam, the eye doctor will look for vision disorders, eye muscle imbalance, and any signs of eye disease that could cause problems in the future. The doctor will also dilate your eyes with drops to make the pupils bigger, enabling him or her to take a closer look in your eyes.
Even if you have naturally good vision, you still need an annual eye exam. If you decide that Elmquist Eye Group in Fort Myers or Cape Coral is the right place for your eye treatment, please call us at (239) 936-2020 to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. We will provide you with the high quality care that you deserve.