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Dr. Chris Jacquinot
Dr. Chris Jacquinot is an Optometrist in Pittsburg, KS and has been practicing at Wimmer Vision Care since 2007. He is originally from Parsons, Kansas and graduated from Pittsburg State University. He completed his Optometric training at the University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry. During his Optometry training, Dr. Jacquinot had the opportunity to intern at several locations including Washington University, St. Louis University, the Kansas City Veterans Hospital, and the Carl Albert Indian Health facility in Ada, Oklahoma. Dr. Jacquinot is a member of the American Optometric Association, Kansas Optometric Association and is active in a number of organizations in the Pittsburg area. For more information please call Wimmer Vision Care at 620-232-1005 . |
Vision
2011-01-01 10:00:00
Eye exams - more than just for your eyes
Answer: Excellent question! I often wonder how many individuals bypass yearly eye examinations because they have clear vision. Optometrists (eye doctors), for some time, were primarily associated with eyeglasses and contact lenses. While they are still considered the “optical specialists,” Optometrists can also uncover many systemic problems by giving a comprehensive eye examination.
The examination most often includes a vision test that determines if the patient needs glasses or contact lenses. Once a visual correction has been made, the doctor will check the outer portion of the eyes for any problems. During this process, they will also collect information about the pressure in the patient’s eyes. Finally, some individuals may need to have their eyes dilated. These patients may include those who are new to the practice, have visual symptoms that warrant dilation, and those who have a history or family history of ocular/systemic health problems. Dilating a patient’s eyes not only allows the doctor to adjust the prescription if necessary, but also allows them to view the interior portion of the eye, also known as the Retina. Usually one to two dilating drops are placed in each eye, and the patient is asked to wait anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes as his/her eyes dilate. When the eyes are dilated, the doctor uses a few lights and magnifying lenses to view the nerves, blood vessels and other portions of the interior eye. This process enables the doctor to monitor for any problems relating to the overall health of the patient.
Many systemic health problems are vascular based, and the eye has numerous blood vessels that can be observed during the examination. Systemic conditions such as Diabetes and Hypertension can sometimes be diagnosed by examining the blood vessels in the eye. Frequently, patients with these disorders will have no indication that anything is wrong – and their vision is often excellent. Unfortunately, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults from 20 to 74 years of age. This statistic alone makes it incredibly important for patients to have yearly eye examinations, especially those who have, or are at risk for developing diabetes and/or hypertension. If diagnosed early enough – patients can work with their primary care physician to control and sometimes even eradicate these conditions.
Glaucoma is another condition that most often causes no visual symptoms until it is too late. Patients are at risk to develop the primary form of Glaucoma when the internal pressure of the eye is elevated. Unfortunately, in most cases of Glaucoma, the patient cannot feel the increased pressure, and visual changes are usually not detected until the late stages of the disease. As the condition progresses, the patient’s peripheral vision decreases, and if not managed properly, the patient is at risk for blindness. Optometrists are licensed in most states to diagnose and treat Glaucoma. The diagnosis process often involves testing to determine the risk factors assigned to the patient. The doctor then analyzes the tests and determines if a patient has Glaucoma, and how severe the disease is at the time of examination. Treatment usually consists of either instilling pressure lowering drops in the eyes or in other cases, surgical methods. Glaucoma, if diagnosed and treated early enough, can often be managed without further loss of vision for the patient.
In addition to those mentioned above, there are many other sight threatening conditions that cause no outward visual signs or symptoms. Always remember that clear vision does not equate to “healthy” vision, and that yearly eye examinations are the key to early diagnosis and treatment.
