Monthly Archives: April 2022

When was your last child’s exam? Children should have their first eye exam at six months of age, and most teenagers and adults should have an eye exam at least once every year. In between eye exams, it’s important to keep an eye out (no pun intended) for any vision issues and make an appointment to see us if you have any concerns or questions.

Here are a few issues to watch for:

1. Changes in your child’s vision. Is your child having trouble reading the blackboard at school? Then it’s a good time to make an appointment with us. People who have myopia, or nearsightedness, have clear vision at close range and poorer vision at a distance. The problem with this one is getting your child to tell you about it. That’s why regular exams are so critical in children.

2. Reading issues. Vision problems can make it difficult for children to learn to read, develop their reading skills and to do well in school. Astigmatism, which stems from an abnormal curvature of the cornea, can cause headache and eye strain and lead to difficulty reading. Regular eye exams are vital for detecting and treating eye issues, such as astigmatism, in children.

3. Rubbing eyes. We rub our eyes — when they are tired, when they get dust in them, etc. But if your child is rubbing his or her eyes frequently when they are not tired and when no irritants are present, then it could be a sign of a vision issue. Your child may be rubbing their eyes while reading or doing homework due to eye fatigue or strain. Another sign of a vision issue: When a child closes one eye to see better or if a child’s eyes tend to move inward or outward.

4. Headaches. Eye strain can cause headaches, typically at the end of the day or after hours of screen time. We can help you and your family learn ways to prevent eye strain.

Regular eye exams are an important part of overall health. And so is being vigilant about eye health. We’re here to help your entire family with visions specialists dedicated to your entire family. If you have questions, feel free to call us at (801) 476-0494.

Do you wear contacts? Proper contact lens care is vital for your eye health. Here are four simple ways to take better care of your eyes if you wear contact lenses:

Use a sterile solution: Purchase and use a quality contact lens solution and/or eye drops. Sterile solutions can help prevent infection. We can provide some recommendations if you’re looking for a solution that’s right for you.

Scrub your hands before handling your contacts: Before you put in or take out your contacts, wash your hands thoroughly. This helps to prevent any dirt, dust or bacteria from getting onto your contact lenses and into your eyes. Make sure the soap you use is a mild hypoallergenic variety that contains no lotions, perfumes or cosmetics, as they can leave behind an oily film or residue that can transfer to your contacts. Use a towel with little or no lint.

Follow the rules. Each different type of contact lenses has different care and wear guidelines. Some people don’t closely follow the recommended wear schedule for their contacts. No matter which kind of contacts you wear, follow all usage guidelines and recommendations for daily use. Switch to a fresh pair of contacts when recommended as well. It’s vital for keeping your eyes healthy. Also, make sure you’re getting an eye exam annually or if your eyes are bothering you. Don’t ignore eye pain, discomfort, redness or any changes in your vision. Get it checked out.

Do not sleep with your contacts. If you’re not supposed to sleep in your contacts, don’t. There are many people who either forget to take their contacts out when they sleep or don’t think sleeping in contacts can damage their eyes. Leaving your contacts in while sleeping, however, can do serious damage to your eyes. Even if you can sleep with your contacts in, it may not be the best choice. Follow all rules for your lenses, and ask us any questions you may have.

Have questions about which type of vision correction is right for you? We’re here to help! Haven’t worn contacts before, or for many years? Today’s contact lenses are designed to be easy to use and could be a great option.

If you think it would be nice to finally not worry about contacts anymore and see 20/20 clear vision, you might want to consider LASIK. You can count on our trusted team of experienced professionals take great care of your eyes during a LASIK procedure. Curious if you’re a good candidate for LASIK and how much it costs? Call us today to learn more! (801) 476-0494.