Clearer eyes inspires bay pines va optometrist, helps veterans see benefits of va health care | va bay pines health care | veterans affairs

Arguably, no one knows the importance of the adage ‘the eyes are the windows to the soul’ better than optometrists. Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Optometrist Dr. Daniel Shea also believes

that providing eye care is one of the most important ways to support the whole health of Veterans, specifically during Glaucoma Awareness Month.  “During my fourth year of optometry school,

I did a rotation at VA, and that’s when I knew I wanted to do VA optometry as a career,” Shea said. “I’ve found that the optometry practice here places a heavy focus on treating diseases,

and it’s very gratifying to help patients alleviate their problems.”  Shea joined the Bay Pines VA team nine years ago. In that time, he’s experienced mixed levels of assisting Veterans with

preventative care as well as helping them manage the conditions they’re already living with. One of the most common, and easily treatable diseases, that Shea encounters is glaucoma.

“Glaucoma is a condition where most people don’t experience symptoms, but very slowly lose their peripheral vision.,” Shea shared. “When they finally get to the doctor, they’re told the

damage cannot be reversed once it’s there.”   If left untreated, glaucoma can leave people partially or fully blind. There are several factors that contribute to the development of this

disease, to include genetics and ethnicity.  Shea and his team encourage all Veterans to schedule routine eye exams with an optometrist, which includes annual optical tests for glaucoma. 

“Glaucoma can affect people at any age, but it usually presents in older patients,” added Shea. For patients who are 50 and over, it’s recommended that they schedule an eye exam annually.

Anyone between the ages of 20 and 50, who have no identified problems, are recommended to schedule an exam every two years.” People who have been diagnosed with glaucoma, or other eye

conditions, should schedule an appointment every six months. Treatment for individuals with chronic or mild eye disease typically includes the use of medicated eye drops, which can help

deter or prevent the development of the condition.  Anyone who is enrolled in VA health care should speak with their primary care provider about receiving optometry services especially since

glaucoma isn’t the only disease that can be discovered through the eyes.  “Other diseases like diabetes and cancer can also be detected during these routine exams so I urge everyone to take

their eye health seriously,” Shea said. “I’m not military but a lot of my family is, so working here is a comfortable place for me. Treating Veterans makes me feel like I’m doing something

to help them lead fuller lives.”