Frequently Asked Questions in Brighton CO

Many eye care providers recommend an annual eye exam for all individuals, even with 20/20 vision. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends an eye exam at least every two years for ages 18-60 years and annual eye exams for seniors 61 years and older. For children, The AOA recommends an eye exam for all children at each milestone of life, 6-12 months old, three to five years old, at the start of 1st grade, and at least every two years until age 18.

If you are experiencing blurry vision in one or both of your eyes or having difficulty focusing, we recommend an evaluation.

Contact lenses can be a safe and effective way to grant your freedom from your glasses. The most important factor for safe contact lens wear is proper lens wear and care. Contact lenses are a medical device with severe consequences with improper use.

With each blink, the eyes are bathed in a multilayer tear surface to keep the cornea hydrated. If there is dysfunction in the production of tears or the stabilizing oil layer, the cornea can become dry, irritated, and vulnerable to infection or breakdown.

Wearing sunglasses outside is an effective method of protecting the cornea, crystalline lens and retina from the powerful UV rays of the sun. Make sure your glasses and sunglasses have UV protection, whether or not they are tinted.

Dilation drops in the eyes allow for complete assessment of the entire retina, including the hard-to-see periphery. In addition to retinal examination, dilation drops temporarily relax the strong accommodative systems of children, allowing the doctor to obtain a more accurate prescription.

There are many actions you can take to help protect your vision like maintaining good systemic health, smoking cessation, use of UV protection when outside, and eating green leafy vegetables. The best thing you can do for your eyes is have them examined annually to allow for early detection of treatable ocular diseases.

Blurry vision in the morning only may be a sign of an ocular surface or corneal dysfunction. Book an appointment with us to have your ocular health evaluated.

If you believe you got something in your eye, do not try to remove it. Please call our clinic and have our trained doctors examine your eye for a foreign body and treat the injury safely.

An optometrist (OD) is your Primary Eye Care provider trained to diagnose, monitor, and treat many ocular diseases from the front to the back of the eye. Optometrists are also trained to identify your refractive error, fit contact lenses, manage binocular vision issues, and much more. An ophthalmologist (MD/DO) is typically specialized within the realm of eyes and ocular disease and provides care for advanced or chronic eye diseases, ocular trauma, or surgical procedures.

Digital eye strain is a feeling of heavy, dry, or strained eyes after prolonged computer/ device use. This may be caused by straining of the eyes to focus, dry eyes due to infrequent blinking, or excessive glare from the screen. During your comprehensive eye exam, we will assess your eyes for uncorrected vision, underlying dry eye syndrome, and recommend lens materials/coatings that can improve eye strain.

Common symptoms of cataracts are glare and halos, especially at night, as well as reduced vision. Cataract development is a normal part of aging but can be exacerbated by systemic conditions and medications.

LASIK can be a great option for patients hoping to be free from glasses and contacts. However, not all patients qualify for this procedure. Depending on your eyes, prescription, and age, your doctor can educate you regarding your candidacy for refractive surgery.

The same diet that helps your heart and the rest of your body will support the health of your eyes too. Specifically, the retina and ocular surface use Vitamin A. It is recommended that patients with macular degeneration take a supplementation of zinc, vitamins C and E, and antioxidants: lutein, zeaxanthin to help slow any changes to the macula.

Annual comprehensive eye exams are the best thing you can do to prevent any undetected damage from glaucoma. Your optometrist will screen for increased intraocular pressures, discuss family history, and assess the optic nerve for any signs of early glaucoma changes or risk of development.

Sudden onset of flashes of light or floaters may be a sign of a retinal hole, tear, or detachment. Please make an appointment to have your eyes evaluated as soon as possible to prevent permanent vision loss.

Eyeglasses should be kept in a case when not being worn to prevent scratches on the lenses. Lenses should be cleaned with a clean microfiber cloth and eyeglass cleaner. Never expose your glasses to harm chemicals. Contact lenses should be cleaned regularly with Contact Lens multi-purpose solution. Never clean your contact lenses with water or any other solution.

A comprehensive eye exam is covered by vision benefits or medical insurance depending on what the doctor identifies in the examination room.

A red eye can be a result of an injury, infection, irritation, allergies, etc. Assessment of a red eye should be done by an eye care specialist in order to correctly diagnose and treat the cause of the red eye.

Excessive screen time can increase the risk of developing nearsightedness for children so time outdoors and looking far away is important for young eyes. Prolonged screen time can also result in dry eyes or eye strain. We recommend using the 20/20/20 rule for screen time. Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and look about 20ft out to allow the focusing system of the eyes to relax.

For children, The AOA recommends an eye exam for all children at each milestone of life, 6-12 months old, three to five years old, at the start of 1st grade, and at least every two years until age 18.

Eye twitching is a harmless, involuntary spasm of the eye muscles. Typically this is caused by stress, fatigue, excess caffeine, or eye strain.

Your child may need an eye exam if you notice an eye turn, squinting, excessive eye rubbing or irritation, difficulty reading, or delays in learning. It is not always obvious if a child needs glasses so it's important to have eye exams consistently throughout childhood. We are equipped to see children younger than 1 years old.

Proper development of the eyes occurs when children are wearing their prescribed glasses or contacts as directed by their eye doctor. If vision is not correct at a young age, the patient may develop amblyopia, or the inability to see clearly, even with correction.

The right sunglasses for you are ones that fit well, cover the majority of your eyes and eyelids, and contain UV protection.

A patient with nearsightedness has a point of clarity close to their face with blurry vision at distance. A patient with farsightedness typically has better vision at distance than at near, or their accommodative system is working extra hard to provide clear vision at all distance, resulting in eye strain, headaches, or blurry vision.