FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will my insurance cover both eyeglasses and contact lenses?

-Most vision plans will cover one or the other, but not both in the same year.

When should my child have his/her first eye exam?

-The American Optometric Association recommends children should have their first vision screening at six months for any major problems that may prevent vision from developing properly. If there are not any concerns, the next visit should be around age three and again before the child begins school.

What does 20/20 vision mean?

-If you have 20/20 vision, it means you can see at 20 feet what is normally expected to be seen at that distance. An acuity of 20/50 would mean you must be 20 feet away to see what should normally be seen at 50 feet.

Why haven't I been able to see up close since I turned 40?

-Our near vision begins to blur in our early 40's due to the loss of flexibility of the crystalline lens in the eye. This condition is called presbyopia. It is a normal part of the aging process of the eye and cannot be prevented.

What is monovision?

-Monovision is the process of correcting vision with either contact lenses or a refractive procedure in which the dominant eye is corrected for distance vision and the non-dominant eye is corrected for near. This is one way of correcting your vision so you do not have to wear reading glasses over your contact lenses or after a refractive procedure.

How successful is monovision?

-Monovision is surprisingly successful in contact lens wearers. Always keep in mind, however, that depth perception is being compromised. In order to have the best depth perception both eyes must be corrected equally for distance vision.

What is LASIK surgery?

-LASIK or Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis is a procedure that uses a computer controlled Excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye. LASIK combines the use of the laser with a surgical procedure called Lamellar Keratoplasty. This procedure creates a flap of the cornea. The flap is lifted and the laser is used underneath. The flap is then folded back in place and acts as a bandage to speed up healing.

Why will I still need reading glasses after refractive surgery?

-If you are over 40-45 years old you are presbyopic, which means you are no longer able to focus as easily at close distances. If you are nearsighted, you may take your glasses or contact lenses off and see clearly at close distances. However, if all the nearsightedness is corrected with refractive surgery, you will no longer have the ability to focus at close distances and will need reading glasses.

What are the spots I sometimes see in my vision?

-The spots often seen in our vision are called floaters. They are small particles inside the eye. Most are not harmful, but they can be an indication of more serious problems.