Regular eye exams are important, as they can pick up early symptoms of a number of health issues. These include cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even arthritis.
It is important to remember that, after dilation, your vision may need two to three hours to perform normally, especially when trying to do something that needs concentrated visual attention.
The eye is an incredible machine and can distinguish as many as 500 shades of gray. We want to help you see every nuisance in those grays and other vibrant color choices, which is why we work so hard to give you the greatest eye treatment available.
Knowing the health history of the eyes in your family is important. Many eye diseases are a result of heredity. Early diagnosis can help in correcting some issues. Talk to your family members about their eye health.
Although Italian inventor Leonardo da Vinci is often credited with the coming up with the idea for contact lenses in the 16th century, it wasn’t until 1888 that German eye doctor Adolf Fick made the first successful contact lenses.
Did you know that there are several vision problems that can be easily corrected with glasses or contacts? Myopia, or nearsightedness, occurs when a person cannot clearly see distant objects. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, occurs when a person cannot clearly see close objects. Presbyopia occurs when a person has trouble seeing objects at arm’s length, which can make reading difficult.
If you are considering having refractive surgery, it is important to understand the postoperative expectations. For instance, make sure your doctor explains the entire procedure to you, arrange for transportation, and be prepared to take drops and medications after the procedure.
According to the National Institutes of Health, farsightedness can have a significant impact on overall quality of life. Why? It can make it difficult to read, write, work on computers, do close work, perform routine chores, see the car speedometer, and more.
An overwhelming amount of contact lens wearers (40-90%) did not follow the care instructions, and are at an increased risk of developing serious eye infections as a result. Serious infections can lead to blindness if not treated immediately.
For people with good regular vision, it’s natural to wonder whether that annual eye exam is really necessary. Remember, even people with 20/20 vision can still develop glaucoma, cataracts and a host of other ailments.
Swollen blood vessels on the white portion of your eyes are most often related to allergies. Pet dander, dust, and free-floating allergens like pollen can wreak havoc on otherwise healthy eyes, which can be treated by an optometrist.
Did you know there are other types of cataracts in addition to age-related cataracts? Secondary cataracts form after surgery or as a response to other health issues. Traumatic cataracts can sometimes develop years after a trauma. A fairly small number of infants are born with cataracts or develop them at an early age. These are called congenital cataracts.
Lenses are available in a variety of materials, weights, and thicknesses. We will work with you to find the materials that are best suited for your prescription, your lifestyle, and your budget.
Once you have your new prescription, it can be fun to spend a little time trying on different styles of eyeglass frames than you’d normally consider. You never realize how much of a change a new pair of frames can make until you see them on your face.
Were you aware that the number one cause of blindness in adults in the U.S. is diabetes? If you have diabetes or any other condition that is known to potentially cause vision problems, it’s important to keep up on your eye Dr. appointments so you can hopefully avoid any vision issues.
Did you know that an optometrist can spot high cholesterol before any other healthcare provider can via a routine eye examination? High cholesterol, if present, often shows itself as yellowish-colored plaque deposits within the retina (retinal blood vessels).
If you’ve never worn glasses before, it’s natural to be a little confused about all the different options available. Remember, your prescription and the shape of your face can often dictate which styles will look most at home on your face.
One of the biggest signs that it’s time for an eye exam is if you notice that you are frequently squinting. It is in human nature to squint when you are having trouble seeing, as this serves to temporarily improve vision.
If you have a scratch on your eye, seeing an eye doctor is important. If you have a corneal abrasion, it may heal on its own. However, a deep scratch could leave a scar that can seriously affect your vision.
Did you know that the most common eye disorders in the United States relate to refractive errors? This means that the eye does not focus images properly. The four most frequent refractive errors are nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and presbyopia.
When playing sports, make sure your eyes are well protected. Sports goggles made of polycarbonate plastic are stronger than regular plastic. The organization Prevent Blindness America recommends sports goggles marked as “ASTM F803 approved.” Sports goggles are especially important when playing racquetball, tennis, and basketball. If you play softball or baseball, you can find batting helmets with built in polycarbonate face shields.
If you spend your days staring at computer screens, your eyes are particularly susceptible to strain and fatigue. To combat these effects, consider adding foods high in anthocyanin (blueberries, bilberries, currants, elderberries, strawberries, red wine) to your diet.
