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DRY EYE ISSUES
Q: WHAT TYPE OF CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE DRY EYE ISSUES?
A: Certain diseases and conditions can cause a person to have dry eyes such as:
– Rheumatoid arthritis
– Sjogren’s syndrome
– Thyroid disease
– Lupus
- Blepharitis (when eyelids are swollen or red)
- Entropion (when eyelids turn in);
- Ectropion (eyelids turn outward)
- Time spent in smoke, wind or a very dry climate
- Looking at a computer for a long time (reduced blinking)
- Using contact lenses for a long time
- Having refractive eye surgery, such as LASIK
- Taking certain medicines, such as:
- Diuretics (water pills) for high blood pressure
- Beta-blockers, for heart problems or high blood pressure
- Allergy medicines (antihistamines)
- Sleeping pills
- Anxiety medicines
AMBLYOPIA
Q: WHAT IS AMBLYOPIA?
A: A condition that is also called “lazy eye”; amblyopia is a condition where vision in one or both eyes does not develop properly during childhood. Amblyopia is a common problem in babies and young children.
Because a child’s vision develops within the first few years of life, it is very important to diagnose and treat amblyopia as early as possible. If left untreated, a child with amblyopia will be unable to develop normal, healthy vision.
PRESBYOPIA
Q: WHAT CAUSES PRESBYOPIA?
A: The clear lens of the eye sits inside the eye behind the colored iris. This lens changes shape to focus light onto the retina which allows you to see. When people are young, the lens is soft and flexible and changes shape easily. This flexibility makes it possible to focus on objects both close-up and far away. After people reach the age 40, the lens becomes more rigid and cannot change shape as easily. This rigidity makes it harder to read, thread a needle, or do other close-up tasks.
Unfortunately there is no way to stop or reverse the normal aging process that causes presbyopia. Presbyopia can be corrected or treated with eyeglasses, contact lenses or surgery.
CONTACT LENSE SAMPLES
Q: CAN I SAMPLE THE CONTACTS FIRST?
A: Before a patient gets a prescription they try out the contacts using samples. Our providers do not write a prescription for anyone until we see the sample lens on their eye and know that they are completely satisfied with their vision and their comfort. The technician spends time with them making sure that the patient can put them in and remove them correctly. Occasionally it will take two or three visits to get a contact that is just right, but we’re willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that our patients are happy and satisfied.
PREPARING FOR AN EXAM
Q: WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO BE PREPARED FOR MY EXAM IF I WEAR CONTACT LENSES?
A: Please wear your contact lenses to your eye exam and bring information on the brand and prescription of the lenses. This will expedite your visit and allow us to serve you better. Please bring or have the names of any contact lens solutions you are using. Be aware that most insurance companies do not cover contact lenses and there may be an additional charge for evaluation and fitting of lenses.
Contact lens evaluations take 15-20 minutes and may include corneal imaging, refraction of your contact lens and observations of the lenses on your eyes. We offer a wide range of contact lenses at competitive prices.
CONTACT LENSE PURCHASES
Q: CAN I BUY MY CONTACT LENSES DIRECTLY FROM EYE CARE ASSOCIATES?
A: Our patients truly experience the benefits of buying contacts from us. Our pricing is extremely competitive; even when compared with internet pricing. For our patients’ convenience we maintain an extensive sample inventory so patients can try new contacts.
CONTACT LENS TECHNOLOGY
Q: WHAT IS THE LATEST IN CONTACT LENS TECHNOLOGY?
A: Many people are walking around wearing contact lenses made of old, outdated materials. Even when patients come in and say they have no problems at all with their current contacts, the doctors at Eye Care Associates ask them to rate their comfort level from 0-10. And when people say that they are at a 7 or 8 – we know that there is a good chance that they could benefit greatly from the latest innovations in contact lenses. Our providers are able to choose the best contact lens for each patient’s unique requirements.
Silicone Hydrogel daily disposable lenses have been available for over four years but many patients still don’t know about them. Many of our patients sit in front of a computer all day in a dry office. These very comfortable contact lenses let all the oxygen through which keeps the cornea healthy. Silicone hydrogel lenses have truly been a major advance in the industry. They are also available as multifocals which is a great benefit to many patients.
Our contact lens inventory includes bifocals, silicone hydrogel, contacts for astigmatism and a wide variety of daily disposables.
MONOVISION
Q: WHAT IS MONOVISION?
A: Monovision is a technique that allows patients to be able to see far away with one eye and near with the other. The overwhelming majority of the patients that we see in our Medical Arts office sit at a computer for a good portion of the day. They spend much of the day using their eyes for intermediate and close distances. Monovision contacts can be a great option for these patients. One of the doctors at our practice has been wearing them for more than 15 years and is very happy with the way that they correct his vision.
Some patients in their 50s and 60s who have already had laser vision correction still have to carry readers around with them. One way to solve that issue is to have the patient try using just one contact lens for near vision (monovision). Many patients who have tried this have been delighted with the results.