Regular eye

examinations are important at every stage of life, and the senior years

are no exception. A comprehensive eye exam will not only measure how well

you see, but assess the health of your eyes as well.

The American

Optometric Association (AOA) has created The Great American Eye Test to

help determine if an eye examination is necessary. The test, which appears

in different versions for different age groups, asks a series of yes/no

questions. Anyone who answers yes to more than one question should make

an appointment to see an optometrist.

The questions

on the test for adults over age 50 address whether one has tired or burning

eyes, avoids close work, experiences near misses or difficulty parking

when driving, has spots or floaters, notices distortions in vision and

that lighting in the room seems insufficient, has a decrease in peripheral

vision, and has diabetes and not had a dilated eye exam in more than a

year.

Individuals

between the ages of 41 and 60 should visit the optometrist every two years.

Annual exams are recommended for those over age 61. Seniors with specific

problems or risk factors may need more frequent visits.

For a free

copy of The Great American Eye Test for adults over 50, call toll-free,

1-888-396-EYES (3937) or visit www.aoa.org.

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