Windows to the soul need care too

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo --  The old adage says, "The eyes are the window to the soul." If that's true, then it's vital to keep them healthy and strong.

Tech. Sgt. Edward Mayle and Capt. Kollan Arritt make up the optometry clinic here.

"There are many things people can do to preserve their eyesight," Sergeant Mayle said. "Regular [eye] doctor visits, taking in a healthy diet high in antioxidants, wearing proper UV protection sunglasses and following [your] doctors instructions for wearing time and care of contact lenses are just a few ways to protect your eyes."

Staying healthy also helps, he added. Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes can play a factor in eye sight deterioration.

A typical eye appointment will start with reading an eye chart, which determines one's vision, i.e. 20/20, Sergeant Mayle said. From there a series of other tests are administered by the optometry technician. The glaucoma screening test [puff test] is usually the last thing done before seeing the doctor.

"After initial tests, the patient proceeds to see the doctor," Sergeant Mayle said. "The doctor checks proper pupil responses, a prescription check, and an eye health exam with a microscope and finishes up with the dilated eye check."

Dilating allows the doctor to get a full view of the back of someone's eye to screen for any possible eye disease or abnormality, he said.

"Without dilating your eyes, the doctor can only see about 50 percent of the inner eye," Sergeant Mayle said.

People should get their eyes checked every couple of years, he said. Factors such as current glasses or contact wear, any underlying eye diseases and patients' age all play factors into how often someone should get their eyes checked.

"People shouldn't worry if their prescription changes from one visit to another," Sergeant Mayle said. "All that means is that your eyes have changed."

In the optometry clinic, there is a donation bin for old frames. The Lions Club takes those glasses on humanitarian missions.

Call the optometry clinic today at 773-2565 to schedule an appointment.