“Lazy eye,” or amblyopia, is one of the most common causes of vision problems in children, yet it’s often missed by parents simply because it doesn’t always look the way people expect. Unlike a cold or a fever, amblyopia rarely causes obvious discomfort, and a baby has no way of telling you that something looks …
“Lazy Eye”: Early Warning Signs and Screenings for Parents of Little Ones Read More »
Dry eye disease is one of the most common reasons patients book an eye exam, yet it’s often misunderstood as a minor annoyance rather than the chronic, treatable condition it actually is. If over-the-counter drops aren’t giving you lasting relief, understanding what’s actually happening on the surface of your eye is the first step toward …
Dry Eye Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Advanced Treatment Options Read More »
For many patients, an eye exam brings a bit of anxiety — unfamiliar machines, bright lights, and not knowing what each test is actually checking for. The truth is, a comprehensive eye exam is a straightforward, painless process built from a series of simple tests that each tell your optometrist something specific about your vision …
If you’ve ever walked out of an eye exam holding a slip of paper covered in numbers, abbreviations, and plus or minus signs and wondered what it all means, you’re not alone. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of the numbers on your prescription and what they tell you about your vision. The Minus Sign: Nearsightedness (Myopia) …
What Does a Minus (-) or Plus (+) Sign Mean on Your Eye Prescription? Read More »
When parents notice their child squinting, sitting too close to the TV, or struggling in school, a common question follows: should we see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist? The terms sound similar, and both providers care for children’s eyes, but they serve very different roles. Understanding the difference can save you time and unnecessary referrals. …
Pediatric Optometrist vs. Pediatric Ophthalmologist: Which Care Does Your Child Need? Read More »
The biggest misconception I see as an optometrist is that people who “see just fine” don’t think they need an eye exam – FALSE! Eye exams with a doctor of optometry are not just about your vision – they’re about your eye health too! A lot of sight-threatening conditions don’t start with blurry vision; these …
This is a complicated question – do screens damage your eye health in the form of blinding eye disease? Not quite. Does prolonged screen use create issues with visual comfort, blurred vision, and dry eyes? Absolutely. While you don’t need to worry too much about your eyes being damaged by the blue rays from your …
A great question that, as an optometrist, I get all the time. OD (Oculus Dexter in latin) refers to the right eye, and OS (Oculus Sinister in latin) refers to the left eye. The “sphere” refers to whether you’re “nearsighted” (myopic), or “farsighted” (hyperopic). The cylinder and axis go together to describe the amount and location …
The short answer: yes! Most of the time, the actual numbers in your glasses prescription need to be converted to account for the reduced distance between your eye and the corrective lens in contacts. In addition to this, not all contact lenses fit the eye the same, so your contact lens prescription will always include …
Are Glasses and Contact Lens Prescriptions Different? Read More »
A popular question we get as an optometry clinic is whether an eye exam is a covered benefit under MSP. The answer is it depends! For kids (0-18 years old) and seniors (65+), MSP covers a portion of the eye exam annually. Many optometrists choose to balance bill for these age categories as MSP only …