Optometry FAQ: Your Top 5 Questions Answered
Quality eye care is a priority to us at Pink Vision Associates. If you are seeking an optometrist in Lyndhurst, Irvington or Fort Lee, we are here to provide you with high-quality eye care at an affordable price. When seeking an optometrist or eye care specialist, people often have questions regarding their eye care.
Here are some commonly asked questions Dr. Maria and Carla Domingues answer every day:
How often should I have my eyes examined?
A comprehensive eye exam is recommended once a year. During your visit the doctor will check to see if there has been a change in prescription as well as check the health of the eye. If detected early, many sight-threatening diseases, can be treated to prevent, or slow, the progression of any vision loss. Patients who are diabetic or have a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration should be checked yearly and at times more frequently.
At what age should I bring in my child for an eye examination?
Children should receive their first comprehensive eye examination before the age of 3 and again before they enter school, unless a specific condition or history of family childhood vision problems necessitates an earlier examination. Many delays in learning can be common vision problems that children struggle with everyday in the classroom. Having an eye exam before school starts is imperative to setting a good foundation
Will my eyes get worse if I wear my glasses all the time?
No. Wearing glasses will not cause your eyes to get worse but, wearing your glasses will help you see better. Some people believe their uncorrected vision becomes worse after wearing glasses for a while. What is in fact taking place is your brain is getting used to 20/20 and is adapting and liking the new clearer image, so when you remove your glasses the brain rejects the blurry image. Give your eyes the vision it deserves.
Why do you need to dilate my eyes?
Dilation is a critical part of every comprehensive eye examination. When dilating your eyes, we look for any signs of rips or holes in your retina. We look for any eye tumors or cancers, any signs of diabetes, hypertension, glaucoma, macular degeneration or any other disease that could affect your vision. Many diseases and conditions can be found at their earliest stages during an eye exam. If found and treated early on, your risk of losing vision is much less.
Is there anything I can do help stop my prescription from getting worse since I am near-sighted?
Many factors go into patients who are myopic or near-sighted. Nearsightedness can be corrected by wearing glasses, contact lenses or by having refractive surgery. Another great option is orthokeratology, a non-surgical procedure where you wear special rigid gas permeable contact lenses at night that reshapes the cornea while you are sleeping. You take off the lenses in the morning and your cornea temporarily preserves the shape, so you can see clearly during the day without glasses or contact lenses. Orthokeratology and a related GP contact lens procedure called corneal refractive therapy (CRT) have been proven effective at temporarily correcting mild to moderate amounts of myopia. Paragon CRT lenses are a great option for those who are too young for LASIK or are not good candidates for refractive surgery for other motives.
