When a person goes to their yearly eye exam, they may find out they need glasses or a new prescription. They are never prepared for anything worse, like finding out that they have cancer. However, that is exactly what happened to Alice Walker in October of 2012.
When she was nineteen years old, Ms. Walker went with her father to visit her optician. After specialists closely looked at her retina, what they saw stunned them. The back of Ms. Walker’s eye was swollen and “not shaped right.” She was hospitalized and diagnosed with a rare kind of tumor that had grown to the size of a small egg pressing on her brain.
While a normal eye is concaved, hers was convex, and her central vision was impaired. Less than a week later, she had a four-hour brain surgery to remove 98% of the tumor. The position of the tumor meant it had been exerting pressure on the tubes that draw off fluid from the brain. The pressure was building up and had affected her retina, which could have become fatal if it was left untreated.
About a week later, they were given the best news that they ever heard; the tumor was non-cancerous. A small percentage of the tumor had to be left in because it was attached to the brain and was impossible to get out. According to Alice’s parents, the surgeon didn’t want to interfere with her brain and decided to leave it in there, but she was entirely out of danger.
What to Expect from A Routine Eye Exam
From Alice’s case, it is very important to get yearly eye exams. According to experts, even if your eyes feel totally healthy, it is a good idea to take preventive measures. Besides, if you have never worn glasses, but are now having problems with focusing, blurred vision, or health conditions such as diabetes, it is necessary to schedule eye exams more frequently.
Typically, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends scheduling a routine eye exam at the following ages:
• 6 months for infants
• Age of 3 years, and then at 5 or 6 for young children
• Every two years for teenagers
• Every two years for adults ages 18 to 60
Most eye problems can be easily fixed, but the sooner they are identified, the quicker the solution can be found. The eye experts at Southwestern Eye Center are ready to help you with all your eye care needs.
Schedule Your Eye Exam Today
The Southwestern Eye Center offers affordable eye exams to all patients. Our doctors are qualified and rely on state-of-the-art technology to give you a comprehensive eye examination.
For a free consultation, call us now at (480) 854-8185: