Common Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why do I need a contact lens exam each year?
Annual examinations are important for the health of your eye. We want to make sure that your lenses are still fitting properly, and that you're not over-wearing them. We'll check for any swelling or irritation in the eye. We'll make sure that the lenses you're wearing are letting enough oxygen into your eye (we can make adjustments in the materials of your lenses if that's a problem). There are many situations and conditions that can impact the health of your cornea, so an annual exam helps us find them and correct them as soon as possible.
What is a good age for my child to get contacts?
Wearing contacts is really a matter of maturity level or responsibility rather than age. We've had children as young as seven or eight years old wearing contacts, but most children are usually 10 or older before they're ready to take on the responsibilities of wearing lenses. (They'll need to keep the lenses clean and thoroughly wash their hands before putting the contacts in, for example.) We'll be glad to talk with you and your child to help you decide if he/she is ready for contacts.
Will my insurance cover both eyeglasses and contact lenses?
Usually it's generally one or the other, not both.
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 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.
When should my child have his/her first eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommend children first have vision checked at six months for major problems that may prevent vision from developing properly. If vision is normal the next visit should be around age three and again before the child begins school.
