F.A.Q.

The frequency depends on your age and risk factors. Even without symptoms, we recommend annual exams after age 40 and certainly after age 60. For children, the first check is after birth, then between 6–12 months, at 3–4 years, and before starting school. You may need more frequent exams if you have risk factors or wear glasses. Discuss a personalized schedule with your doctor.

Staring at a screen for long periods tires your eyes. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Blink frequently. Adjust screen brightness, keep the monitor at arm’s length and at eye level. Use artificial tears if needed and take regular breaks.

Hygiene is paramount. Wash your hands before touching lenses. Use only the recommended solution—never tap water! Keep and replace your lens case regularly. Adhere to the prescribed wear and replacement schedule. Avoid sleeping, swimming, or showering with lenses in. If you experience redness or pain, remove the lenses and contact your doctor immediately. Keep a spare pair of glasses on hand.

Cataract is clouding of the eye’s lens. Symptoms include hazy vision, light sensitivity, reduced night vision, faded colors, and frequent prescription changes. There is no medication to reverse it; the only solution is surgery using the phaco (FAKO) method. The cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. Surgery is recommended when vision loss begins to impact daily life.

Wash your hands before use. Do not let the bottle tip touch your eye or any surface. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid. Instill the drop into the conjunctival sac. Close your eye gently and press on the inner corner (lacrimal punctum) for 1–2 minutes. Wait 5 minutes between different eye drops. Check the expiration date.

Prolonged screen use can cause digital eye strain. Symptoms include eye fatigue, dryness, burning, stinging, blurred vision, and headaches. Reduced blink rate increases dryness. Blue light may disrupt sleep patterns, though long‑term effects are still under study. In children, excessive near‑work may contribute to myopia progression.

Dry eye results from insufficient tear production or rapid tear evaporation. Age, environmental factors (dry air, wind), prolonged screen use, certain medications, diseases, and contact lenses can contribute. To prevent it, blink often at screens, use a humidifier, stay hydrated, and use artificial tears. Consult your doctor if symptoms persist.

The most common reason is cataract. Other indications include glaucoma uncontrolled by medication, retinal tears or detachments, strabismus resistant to therapy, certain corneal diseases (e.g., keratoconus), and eyelid ptosis. Refractive laser surgeries (LASIK, PRK) to correct vision errors are also common. Trauma may necessitate surgery as well.

A balanced diet is key. Dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale) rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin C (citrus fruits, peppers), vitamin E (nuts, seeds), zinc (meat, legumes), and omega‑3 fatty acids (fatty fish, walnuts) are beneficial. Carrots and other vitamin A sources support night vision.

Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes is an emergency. Do not wait—seek immediate care from an ophthalmologist or emergency department. It may signal retinal detachment, vascular occlusion, acute glaucoma, or neurological issues. Prompt treatment is critical to prevent permanent damage.

For children, we recommend the first comprehensive exam between 6–12 months, the second at 3–4 years, and again before school entry and periodically thereafter. Exam techniques vary by age: infants are assessed by reflexes and eye movements, often with specialized instruments for refractive error. Older children use picture or letter charts. Early detection of amblyopia (“lazy eye”) is essential, and dilating drops are frequently used.

We use several methods. The most common is non‑contact (air‑puff) tonometry. The gold standard is Goldmann applanation tonometry: after numbing drops, a small probe gently contacts the cornea under a slit‑lamp microscope. Devices like Tonopen or Icare are also available. Corneal thickness can affect measurements.

Eye infections typically present with redness, itching, burning, stinging, tearing, or discharge (yellow‑green). Eyelid swelling, light sensitivity, pain, and blurred vision are common. Crusted eyelashes on waking are a typical sign. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor promptly.

A comprehensive exam includes visual acuity (reading charts) and refraction to determine your prescription. We assess eye movements, color vision, and intraocular pressure. A slit‑lamp (biomicroscope) examines anterior structures (cornea, lens). Fundus examination—with or without pupil dilation—evaluates the retina and optic nerve. Additional tests like visual fields or OCT may be performed if indicated.

If debris enters the eye, blink or rinse with clean water or saline. Do not rub. If particles remain, see a doctor. For corneal abrasions, artificial tears may help, but examination is required. In chemical exposure, irrigate with copious water for at least 15–20 minutes and go to the emergency department. For blunt trauma, apply a cold compress and seek medical attention. Do not remove embedded foreign bodies—go to the ER immediately.

Allergic conjunctivitis (“eye allergy”) is most common, either seasonal (pollen) or perennial (dust mites, pet dander). Intense itching is the hallmark. Redness, tearing, burning, stinging, and stringy discharge may accompany. Eyelid swelling can occur. Contact lenses may also trigger allergic reactions.

Redness and swelling have many causes: infections (conjunctivitis), allergies, dry eye, foreign bodies, corneal abrasions, digital eye strain, or contact lens issues. Eyelid conditions like stye or blepharitis, and serious issues like uveitis or acute glaucoma can also cause these signs. Accurate diagnosis requires an eye exam.

Itching is most indicative of allergy (allergic conjunctivitis). Burning is more common with dry eye, blepharitis, or eye strain. Infections, contact lens complications, environmental irritants (smoke, dust), or foreign bodies can cause both itching and burning. An exam is needed for accurate diagnosis.

We detect high intraocular pressure during routine tonometry in an eye exam. Air‑puff or contact tonometers measure intraocular pressure. Normal values range from 10–21 mmHg. Elevated pressure alone does not confirm glaucoma; we perform additional tests—optic nerve evaluation, visual fields, OCT—to assess for glaucomatous damage.

Contact lens hygiene is critical. Always wash and thoroughly dry your hands before handling lenses. Never use tap water—use only the recommended sterile solution. Discard and replace the solution in your case daily. Clean the case, allow it to air‑dry, and replace it at least every three months.

Maintain strict hygiene with eye makeup. Do not share products. Replace liquid mascaras every three months. Avoid applying eyeliner on the inner lash line (waterline). Always remove makeup before sleeping. Discard all makeup products if you develop an eye infection.

Bring your ID and insurance information. Bring current glasses or contact lenses and any previous prescriptions. Provide a list of all medications (including drops). Since your pupils may be dilated, bring sunglasses for after the exam and arrange safe transportation home.

Choose sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Look for labels stating “UV 400” or “100% UV Protection.” Lens tint does not indicate UV blocking—UV filters are colorless. CE marking indicates compliance with European standards. Wraparound styles offer additional protection.

We use Snellen charts for acuity, an autorefractor for prescription measurement, and a phoropter for lens trials. A slit‑lamp biomicroscope examines anterior structures, and ophthalmoscopes inspect the fundus. Tonometers measure eye pressure, perimeters assess visual fields, and OCT provides retinal tomography for advanced diagnostics.

Lasers serve various ophthalmic purposes. Refractive surgeries (LASIK, PRK) reshape the cornea to reduce glasses dependency. YAG laser treats posterior capsule opacification (secondary cataract). In glaucoma, SLT or ALT enhances aqueous outflow, and laser iridotomy creates a small opening in narrow‑angle irises. Argon laser treats retinal tears and diabetic retinopathy by sealing leaks and creating adhesions.

Wear schedules depend on lens type and must be followed strictly. Daily disposables are replaced each day. Reusable lenses (e.g., monthly) must be discarded after the prescribed period. Although some lenses are approved for overnight wear, the infection risk is higher—only use under doctor supervision. Adhering to schedules is vital for eye health.

Your family history is crucial. Many eye diseases—glaucoma, macular degeneration, strabismus, high refractive error—have genetic predispositions. A family history of these conditions increases your risk significantly. For example, glaucoma risk is five to six times higher with a positive family history.

Although preventing myopia entirely is difficult, progression can be slowed. Ensure children spend at least 1–2 hours outdoors in daylight daily. Limit continuous near work (reading, screens) with frequent breaks. Good lighting is important. Special atropine eye drops or myopia‑control contact lenses may be considered. Regular eye exams are essential.

Since vision changes over time, keeping your prescription current is important. Adults typically update every 1–2 years during routine exams. Children’s prescriptions may change more rapidly, so annual checks are recommended. If you notice blur or difficulty seeing, schedule an exam without waiting for the next due date.