FAQ

Have Questions? We have answers! Check out our FAQ section below…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should adults have eye exams?

Age 19-40 – every 2 years unless at risk for disease or contact lens wearer then yearly
Age 41-60 – every 2 years unless at risk for disease or contact lens wearer then yearly
Age 61+ – Yearly

How often should kids have eye exams?

Under age 2 – at 6-9 months
Age 2-5 – at age 3 and 5
Age 6-18 – yearly

My child had a vision screening at school, do they need an eye exam too?

Vision screenings are just that, a screening. A comprehensive eye exam is recommended at six to nine months old, three years old, five years old and yearly after starting school.

What is myopia (nearsightedness)?

A vision condition in which you can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away are blurred.

What is hyperopia (farsightedness)?

A vision condition in which distant objects are usually seen clearly, but close objects do not come into proper focus.

What is presbyopia?

An age related vision condition in which there is a gradual loss of the eye’s ability to focus on near objects.

What can I do to decrease my eyestrain on the computer?

1. Get a comprehensive eye exam to check for vision and health issues
2. Use proper lighting – when you use a computer, your ambient lighting should be about half as bright as that typically found in most offices. Eliminate exterior light by closing drapes, shades or blinds. Reduce interior lighting by using fewer light bulbs, or use lower intensity bulbs. If possible position your computer screen or monitor so windows are to the side, instead of in front or behind it.
3. Minimize glare – install antiglare screen on your monitor and make sure your glasses have anti reflective coating.
4. Upgrade your display – use an LCD monitor
5. Adjust the brightness and contrast of your computer screen. Adjust the display settings on your computer so the brightness of the screen is about the same as your work environment.
6. Blink more often – Blinking is very important when working at a computer; blinking moistens your eyes to prevent dryness and irritation
7. Exercise your eyes. Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
8. Take frequent breaks
9. Modify your workstation – place written pages on a copy stand adjacent to the monitor and make sure to light the copy stand. Adjust your workstation and chair to the correct height. Position your computer screen 20-24 inches from your eyes and the center of the screen should be 10-15 degrees below your eyes
10. Consider custom computer eyewear.

What can I do to reduce the strain on my child’s eyes when he/she is on the computer?

1. Have your child’s vision checked in a comprehensive eye examination
2. Limit the amount of time your child is on the computer. Use the 20-20-20 rule, every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
3. Check the ergonomics of the workstation. Make sure the computer work station is adjusted for the child’s body size. The recommended distance between the monitor and the eye for a child is 18-28 inches.
4. Check the lighting. To reduce glare, windows and other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of the monitor. Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer screen

What are computer glasses?

Glasses designed for your specific computer viewing distance, taking your distance and near prescription into consideration.

I need reading glasses, can I still wear contacts?

Yes. Many people can wear multifocal contact lenses now and comfortably see distance and near.

I have astigmatism, can I still wear contacts?

Most astigmatism powers are now available in contacts. Many are even in daily contact lens options!

Why do I need a different eye exam to wear contacts?

Contact lenses sit on your eye so additional measurements need to be taken to assure an ideal fit

What should I expect at my comprehensive eye exam?

1. A thorough case history reviewing your symptoms and medical/family history.
2. Visual Acuity testing to measure the sharpness of your vision.
3. Cover test to check how your eyes work together.
4. Refraction to determine your eye glass prescription. You will be asked which of two difference lenses are clearer. This determines your level of hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism and presbyopia.
5. Slip Lamp Examination to look at the health of the eyes under a magnified view.
6. Glaucoma Test to check your eye pressure. Don’t worry we do not use the “puff test” in our office. We use the applanation tonometer that is much more accurate and less annoying.
7. Pupil Dilation to get a full view of the structures in the back of your eye. The dilation can make things fuzzy up close and lights bright for a few hours so please bring sunglasses and a driver if you do not feel safe to drive. We can also schedule your dilation at another time from your exam if that works better with your schedule.
We have recently added a digital retinal camera, in most cases you can pay a nominal fee and have a photo taken of the back of your eye reducing the need to have your eyes dilated yearly. It may still be necessary, in some cases, to dilate yearly or more frequently.

What are rigid gas permeable contacts?

Gas permeable contacts lenses are rigid lenses made of durable plastic that transmits oxygen. They often provide better vision than soft contact lenses. They are more durable and last longer so they can be less expensive in the long run, as long as you do not have a prescription change. Gas permeable contacts are less comfortable in the initial stages but with long term wear become very comfortable.

Why should I have Anti reflective on my lenses?

1. Coated lenses get more light to the eye so you can see better
2. Less glare on the computer and driving at night
3. Easier to clean
4. Cosmetics – people see your eyes not your lenses

I love to fish, what kind of sunglasses do I need?

Polarized lenses are the best when you are on the water.

I love to golf what eyewear do I need?

Photochromatic lenses are great for golf. Rudy Project even has a golf lens with a green tint to help “read” the greens better

What is Amblyopia (also known as lazy eye)?

The loss or lack of development of clear vision in just one eye. It is not due to eye health problems and eye glasses or contact lenses cannot fully correct the reduced vision. It can result from a failure to use both eyes together. Lazy eye or Amblyopia is often associated with crossed eyes or a large difference in the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness between the two eyes. It usually develops before age six and does not affect side vision.

What is Astigmatism?

A vision condition that causes blurred vision due either to the irregular shape of the cornea, the clear cover of the eye, or sometimes the curvature of the lens inside the eye.

What is Strabismus (also known as crossed eyes)?

A condition in which both eyes do not look at the same place at the same time.

What is keratoconus?

An eye disorder causing progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea, the clear front cover of the eye.

What is Nystagmus?

A vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive uncontrolled movements, often resulting in reduced vision

What is Blepharitis?

An inflammation of the eyelids and eyelashes causing red, irritated, itchy eyelids and the
formation of dandruff like scales on the eye lids.

What are cataracts?

A cloudy or opaque area in the normally clear lens of the eye.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

A condition occurring in person’s with diabetes, which causes progressive damage to the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye.

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

A condition in which there are insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eye.

What are Floaters?

The shadowy images that are seen moving in your field of vision caused by particles floating in the fluid that fills the inside of the eye.

What is Glaucoma?

A group of disorders leading to progressive damage to the optic nerve, and is characterized by loss of nerve tissue resulting in loss of vision.

What is Age related Macular Degeneration?

An eye disease affecting the macula, the center of the light sensitive retina at the back of the eye, causing loss of central vision.

What is Conjunctivitis (pink eye)?

An inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, the think transparent layer of tissue that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. The three main types of conjunctivitis are infectious, allergic and chemical. The infectious type, commonly called “pink eye” is caused by a contagious virus or bacteria.

Why does my eye twitch?

Most eye lid twitching is caused by stress, lack of sleep, too much caffeine and/or alcohol, dry eyes, allergies and/or lack of magnesium.

What is Optic Neuritis?

An inflammation of the optic nerve caused by damage to and loss of the protective sheath called myelin surrounding this nerve that is vital for good vision. Optic Neuritis usually occurs in adults younger than 45 years old and affects more women than men. The condition is common in people who have Multiple Sclerosis.

What is a retinal detachment?

A tearing or separation of the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye, from the underlying tissue.

What is a pingecula?

An abnormal growth of tissue on the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white of the eye.

What is a subconjunctival heme?

An accumulation of blood underneath the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white of the eye.

What is ptosis?

A drooping of the upper eyelid.

What is Retinitis Pigmentosa?

A group of inherited disorders of the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye, which cause poor night vision and a progressive loss of side vision.

What is Uveitis?

An inflammation of one or more of the structures of the structures that make up the middle layer of the eye called the uvea. IF untreated, it can cause permanent damage and loss of vision from the development of glaucoma, cataract or retinal edema. It usually responds well to treatment; however, there may be a tendency for the condition to recur.

What is a Stye?

An infection of an oil gland in the eye lid.

What is Bell’s Palsy?

It is a temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial nerve known as the seventh cranial nerve. This nerve controls facial expressions, eyelid movement, and the muscles of the forehead and neck. Bell’s palsy usually occurs suddenly, affecting the greater part of the one side of the face. The cause is often unknown, but the condition has been associated with herpes simplex and herpes zoster viruses. Risk factors include: Diabetes, Pregnancy and Lyme Disease.

What is Color Vision Deficiency?

The inability to distinguish certain shades of colors or in more severe cases, see colors at all. The term “color blindness” is also used to describe this condition but very few people are completely color blind.

What is an ocular migraine?

A type of severe headache accompanied by various visual symptoms.

Why should I wear sunglasses?

Extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays has been linked to eye damage, including cataracts, macular degeneration, pingueculae, and ptergia and photokeratitis that can cause temporary vision loss.

Why should my child wear sunglasses?

Many experts agree that more than sixty percent of your lifetime exposure to UV rays occurs before age 18, since many children spend more time outdoors than adults.