March is “Save Your Vision Month,” sponsored by the American Optometric Association (AOA). That makes it the perfect time to highlight the importance of eye care and preventive health. This article explores why regular comprehensive eye exams are essential and the 5 significant benefits of Telemedicine for eye care. 

Why Regular Eye Exams are Critical for Eye Health 

Telemedicine makes it possible to conduct many necessary eye tests remotely. But first, we will discuss why in-person eye examinations are essential. The CDC reports that with a growing aging population in the U.S., the number of blind and visually impaired people in the U.S. is estimated to double by 2030 and triple by 2050. However, if Americans take their vision care more seriously, that number could reduce significantly. 

Eye diseases can go unnoticed for a long and may have no symptoms. That is one of the reasons why the CDC recommends a regular comprehensive eye exam. This can help detect eye diseases early when treatment to prevent vision loss is most effective. In addition, your eye doctor may identify conditions, such as diabetes, and high blood pressure, even before your primary care doctor does.

Regular Eye Exams Aid in the Early Detection of Diabetes 

If you know you have diabetes, the CDC recommends going for a comprehensive eye exam every year. For the estimated 7.2 million undiagnosed people with diabetes, an annual eye exam can help detect diabetes. Diabetes affects blood vessels. When you receive a dilated eye exam, your physician can directly view the blood vessels in the back of your eye. 

As of 2017, the American Diabetes Association estimated that $1 in every $7 spent on health care is in treating diabetes and its complications; overall, individuals with diabetes incur medical expenses 2.3 times higher than those who do not. In addition, detecting diabetes can reduce the risk of developing vision problems such as diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. All these can ultimately lead to vision loss, but early diagnosis and treatment can protect your eyesight.

Regular Eye Exams Aid in the Early Detection of Heart Disease

Research finds that eye doctors may be able also to detect signs of heart disease during an eye exam. This is because people with heart disease tend to have retinas that show evidence of an eye stroke. Eye strokes occur when the eye is deprived of blood flow and oxygen, which causes cells to die. 

When a cell dies, it leaves a retinal ischemic perivascular lesion (RIPL). An ophthalmologist can see these lesions with optical coherence tomography. The higher number of RIPL in the eyes correlates with a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Identifying cardiovascular disease can facilitate appropriate treatment and prevent a heart attack or stroke.

5 Benefits of Telemedicine for Eye Care

Telemedicine offers greater convenience and streamlined care for busy people. Moreover, the benefits of telemedicine for eye care extend to younger and older patients alike. For example, a recent survey of Americans reported that the willingness to use video telehealth increased from 51 percent in February 2019 to 62 percent in March 2021.

1)Telemedicine for Eye Care and Overlooked Eye Diseases 

Another recent study explored models of telemedicine for eye care to help reduce eye disease by integrating eye care providers in primary care practices, emergency departments, acute care hospitals, and long-term care facilities. In addition, the model suggests onsite features such as diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventative services could help improve eye care access, possibly leading to early disease detection.

2) Telemedicine and Eye Care: Glaucoma Screening 

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging the optic nerve. 2.7 million people in the U.S. have glaucoma, but only 50% know about it. This means that over a million people with glaucoma may not get much-needed care from an eye care specialist. 

Fortunately, teleglaucoma programs can be used for screening, diagnostic consultation, and long-term treatment monitoring. According to one study, 69% of teleglaucoma patients referred for suspected glaucoma could be managed by a primary eye care provider and did not require in-person evaluation by a specialist.

3) Telemedicine for Ongoing Eye Care Consultations 

Virtual appointments allow providers to offer patients ongoing telehealth visits for conditions they may otherwise miss out on. In addition, patients can request medication refills and follow-up on ocular symptoms and general eye care.

• Emergency consults: a virtual consultation with an eye care professional can help quickly determine the seriousness of the concern and the best course of action.
• Ongoing appointments for ocular disease: telemedicine allows the patient to discuss medication adherence, side effects, and any new vision problems. In addition, conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or macular degeneration that require frequent check-ins occur virtually. 
• Neuro-optometry sessions and vision therapy: telemedicine can monitor patients via a desktop or laptop-based vision training program. Home-based exercises can also be observed, while an eye care professional can make suggestions or changes to the treatment plan.
• Dry-eye updates: optometry telemedicine can help with eye redness, itching, burning, tearing, or eyelid conditions. Vision care providers can use video to assess the situation and provide treatment options.

4) Telemedicine for Eye Care Increases Patient Access 

Telemedicine may help remove barriers for rural and underserved populations. For example, technological advances in optometry telemedicine solutions now allow clinicians to examine a patient’s visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual field, and color vision and track their progress wherever they are. 

5) Medical Staff Shortages and Benefits of Telemedicine 

Like many medical specialties, the field of ophthalmology is also expected to be underserved. For example, there were 57,310 ophthalmic technicians in the United States in 2020, with a projected need of 65,700 by 2030. This is an anticipated growth rate of almost 15%, representing only 94% of capacity. To address these eye care professional staff shortages and underserved populations, telemedicine, virtual calls, remote patient monitoring, and mobile health would allow patients to have follow-up telehealth visits. 

Schedule an Eye Exam Today

Regularly scheduled eye exams will help you see clearly and facilitate regular eye health monitoring. Even if your vision seems great, an annual eye exam can help protect overall health and wellness. A routine eye exam may even help identify severe health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even cancer. So please schedule an eye exam today!