Yearly Archives: 2023

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6.8% of children younger than 18 years in the U.S. have a diagnosed eye and vision condition. Nearly 3% of children under 18 are blind or visually impaired, which means having trouble seeing even when wearing glasses or contact lenses.

If you suspect your child needs glasses or contact lenses, don’t wait to visit the eye doctor. Luckily, if you don’t have the chance to see the eye doctor regularly, elementary schools must report aggregate vision screening annually to the state’s health department. Here’s how poor vision impacts learning in children:

1. Poor focus issues

If your child cannot see the whiteboard or read the pages of the book in front of them, chances are they will get discouraged and lose focus quickly. The longer this problem goes on, the more likely your child will struggle with test scores and regular classroom communication, which could have a long-term impact on their confidence.

2. Poor hand-eye coordination

Since children in the U.S. school system are encouraged to be active, gym classes and regular recess activities are required. Kids with vision problems are more likely to suffer poor hand-eye coordination, which can lead them to miss out on the benefits of regular exercise and team sports.

The sooner your child is set up with a pair of glasses or contact, the better because regular exercise increases academic performance and motor development in classrooms across the U.S.

3. Poor self-confidence

Confidence-building activities in developmental years are critical to a successful academic experience that eventually leads into adulthood. When children are more confident in their intellectual abilities and receive positive reinforcement, they are more likely to succeed in school. However, if they are in a situation where they feel inadequate to their peers due to their vision problems, they’ll likely struggle to reach their full potential in the classroom.

Contact us to schedule your first pediatric eye appointment by visiting our website or calling 801-476-0494. Our pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Bullard has a long track record of success and looks forward to seeing you! During your visit, all of your child’s needs will be considered, and your case will be treated as unique. Expect to leave with an official diagnosis and treatment plan.

What is the best way to correct your vision? Should you wear eyeglasses, contacts, or LASIK? You’ll want to consider your lifestyle, your comfort, and your budget when choosing between these three options.

Eyeglasses, for instance, offer some advantages over contact lenses, such as:

– You don’t need to place them directly on your eyes to wear them, so you’re less likely to get eye infections and irritations.

– Both glasses and contacts, however, are affordable vision correction options. Glasses can be less expensive over time than wearing contact lenses, which need to be replaced regularly.

– Contact lenses need to be replaced more frequently than glasses.

– With so many great styles to choose from, glasses can be an extension of your personality as well as a great fashion statement.

As far as contacts go, check out these advantages:

– As contacts conform to the curvature of your eye, they provide an unobstructed view of the world around you.

– While playing sports or exercising, contact lenses can be more convenient. Glasses can be damaged or lost.

– People can’t even tell that you’re wearing contacts most of the time.

– Unlike glasses, contacts won’t fog up in cold weather or steam up while you cook.

LASIK, or laser in-situ keratomileusis, is another popular vision correction surgery that can help those with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. To perform LASIK, your cornea, the clear front portion of your eye, is reshaped to focus light on the retina at the back of your eye. Although not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, many people with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism can undergo the procedure.

What types of issues can be corrected by LASIK? Here are some examples:

– Being able to see nearby objects but having difficulty seeing distant objects

– Having trouble seeing nearby objects but being able to see distant objects

– Having moderate astigmatism, which causes overall blurred vision

LASIK surgery does have an upfront cost, but its big advantage is that you no longer have to wear glasses or contact lenses.

We can help you determine the vision correction method that is most appropriate for you after a thorough eye exam. Contact us today to schedule an appointment: (801) 476-0494

Picking out new eyeglasses is an exciting time and you may be eager to find a new stylish set of frames. Whether it’s your first pair with a new diagnosis or a new pair for a special occasion or work, the shopping experience is equally exciting. You’ll want to ensure that your chosen frames correct your vision while also fitting your current lifestyle and personal aesthetic. Follow these tips while shopping for your new frames.

When shopping for eyeglasses, be sure to have your pupillary distance (PD) measurement ready. This measurement is the distance between the centers of your pupils and helps you find glasses that best fit your face. The average adult’s PD is between 54-74 mm, and kids are between 43-58 mm.

Search for the right frame shape

There are also a few things to consider when it comes to frame shape. If you choose round frames, you’re bringing contrast to angular features while oval frames soften defined face lines. Rectangular frames break up the face structure to make your face appear longer and thinner, while colored frames draw attention to your eyes. Understanding your current face shape and what you want to accentuate is important before purchasing new frames.

Find a color that complements your skin tone

Most people wear a chic, professional black frame that works with any style. However, if you want to branch out, consider what colors best complement your skin tone.

Black, gray and blue frames are often recommended for cool undertones, while tan, pink and red are suggested for warm undertones. Whatever you choose, make sure you feel comfortable and confident!

Stock up on accessories

When choosing accessories for your glasses, you’ll want to understand your lifestyle needs and how to adjust to them. If you are active and want to wear your lenses, you’ll need a pair of chums to your glasses secure during physical activity.

If you work on a computer screen during the day, you’ll want to invest in a pair of blue light-blocking lenses to reduce eye fatigue. And of course, you’ll want a solid lens case to store your glasses properly while not wearing them.

Our team at Utah Eye Centers is a full ophthalmic practice offering general, retina, pediatrics, cosmetics, and refractive care. We can help our patients get the eye care they need to help them see the world clearly. Visit our website or call (801) 476-0494 to schedule an appointment today.

>Children often feel nervous about visiting the doctor. Every time they go, it seems like they have to receive a shot or undergo a procedure. Plus, at their age, they may not fully understand why. As many parents know, there are times when a doctor’s visit is crucial for their current and future health. Research shows that over 25% of elementary-aged children need eye exams. These exams serve the purpose of treating current vision issues and mitigating possible future problems. Here are some tips for preparing your child for an eye exam:

Explain the Process

People are cautious of things they don’t understand. Explaining to children what to expect while getting an eye exam and why they are getting an eye exam will help them feel less anxiety about the process. Describe the different tests and procedures involved, such as reading an eye chart, dilating their eyes or looking into various machines. Also, provide comforting messages that the eye doctor is friendly and is there to help them.

Play Doctor

Imaginative play is a great way to introduce children to new topics. Creating a fun and interactive doctor’s office at home is a great way to simulate an eye exam for a child. Using toys and other visuals will help fully immerse children while playing pretend. Take turns playing the eye doctor and patient. Just as adults prepare themselves for stressful speeches through practice, children can prepare themselves for stressful things through pretending.

Encourage Questions

Let your child know it’s OK to ask yourself and their doctor any questions about the process. You can also be proactive in addressing questions and concerns. For example, the first time using eye drops can be disconcerting. Let them know it doesn’t hurt and why various eye drops help their eyes. Reassure them that doctors like to answer questions and are experts.

Parents are responsible for looking over their children’s health and it’s not always easy. Children may push back on things that make them nervous or they find boring. Parents have an obligation to be persistent in getting their children the proper care. We have an immense amount of experience in educating and comforting their patients. This includes both children and adults. If you have any questions about how to prepare your child for an eye exam best, contact us at 801-476-0494.

Your first eye exam can be exciting and slightly nerve-wracking, especially if you’re unsure what to expect. Many who have good vision believe they don’t need to schedule an eye exam, but this is false because a regular eye exam can help care for your overall eye health by detecting signs of severe eye conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma and more. Follow these tips to prepare for your first eye exam correctly:

1. Bring the proper documentation

Be sure to bring proper documentation to your eye appointment to ensure the process runs smoothly. Since this list may seem lengthy to some, be sure to spend some time preparing ahead of time.

Pack items like your current glasses, sunglasses and contacts in a small backpack or bag for your exam. Be sure also to add a list of your current prescription medications stored either on your phone or on a clean piece of paper. Finally, you’ll want to bring your vision insurance information, the name and address of your primary care doctor and a list of questions you may have before your visit.

2. Schedule driving arrangements

In some cases, your eye exam will require you to have your pupils dilated. This is usually only common for individuals over 60 years old who need to be tested for diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and degenerative eye diseases. The eyes are dilated with eye drops that block parasympathetic receptors, allowing the pupil to enlarge so the doctor can easily examine the back of your eye.

If you end up having your eyes dilated, be sure to schedule a ride home from the doctor’s office and wear eye protection to ensure the glare from the sun doesn’t damage your eyes.

3. Prepare for visual tests

During your visit to the doctor’s office, you’ll be subject to both a visual acuity and visual field test. During the visual acuity test, the doctor will screen if you need glasses or contacts by asking you to identify letters printed on an alphabet chart or screen. During a visual field test, your doctor will test your peripheral vision by allowing you to press a button every time you register a blinking light in your peripheral vision.

Contact our friendly team at Utah Eye Centers to schedule your first eye exam today. Visit our website or give us a call 801-476-0494.

If you’ve recently received a refractive error diagnosis and are ready to order contact lenses, there are a few factors to consider before going all in on your purchase. The right contact lens choice depends on your budget, diagnosis and cleaning habits among other factors.

The type of contact lenses you choose is unique to your situation because everyone handles their diagnosis and tolerance for wearing contact lenses differently. We’re here to help you through the diagnosis process and make choosing the right contact lenses a breeze. Follow these tips:

1. Understand the length of wear

Before you purchase contact lenses, you’ll want to establish your preferred length of wearing them. If you have less sensitive eyes, consider wearing weekly or monthly contact lenses. When you purchase reusable contact lenses, you’ll need to store them in a clean contact lens case filled with disinfecting contact solution. Be sure to replace these lenses as soon as they expire because they are prone to bacteria build-up and wear out.

Daily disposable lenses are available for those who don’t want to worry about the cleaning and maintenance that goes into contact lenses. Although this is a more expensive option, you can easily toss these contact lenses out at the end of the day and grab a new pair in the morning.

2. Choose soft or rigid contact lenses

Most individuals who use contact lenses for the first time opt for soft contact lenses due to the comfort and increased airflow to the eye. Soft contact lenses are made of materials like flexible hydrogel or silicone hydrogel compared to stiff plastic like polymethyl methacrylate in rigid contact lenses.

However, rigid contact lenses are proven to be gas permeable, reduce bacteria buildup and provide sharper vision than soft lenses. If you’re a Veteran in the eyecare space, this is the perfect option.

3. Are you wanting to change your eye color?

Colored contact lenses are popular for aesthetic purposes because they can enhance or completely change your eye color. Since these contact lenses are a bit thicker than usual, they may not be suitable for everyday use.

If you do use them on special occasions, they are a great fit for Halloween costumes and other theatrical events.

At Utah Eye Centers, we’re committed to providing the quality eye care you need by offering general, retina, pediatrics, cosmetic and refractive care. Visit our website or call 801-476-0494 to learn more.

LASIK eye surgery is the best-known and most commonly performed laser refractive eye surgery in the U.S. During the laser treatment, the doctors use a particular type of cutting laser to change the shape of your cornea and improve your vision. LASIK eye surgery performed by LASIK experts corrects eye problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Preparing for LASIK eye surgery is a process that needs to be followed concisely for the surgery to be successful. Follow these tips to prepare for your surgery.

Stop wearing contact lenses a few weeks before the surgery

If you usually wear contact lenses, opt-in for your glasses a few weeks before the surgery. Contact lenses, while an effective way to correct your vision at an affordable cost, can distort your cornea’s shape over time.

Before your LASIK surgery day, your eye doctor will take measurements of your eye to understand its curvature and the right treatment plan. You want your cornea’s shape to remain unaffected to ensure the surgery’s success.

Avoid wearing makeup, perfumes and lotions on surgery day

On the day of the procedures, avoid heavy skincare products or lotions because the grease can get into your eyes during the surgery. Instead, shower quickly in the morning and come to the surgery with a freshly washed face.

All eye makeup should be removed at least 24 hours before the surgery. Be sure to thoroughly remove any mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow with a makeup remover because if not removed correctly, makeup products can flake into the eye during surgery. Mascara should also not be worn for four weeks after the surgery.

Find a designated driver

You’ll need a close friend or family member to drive you to and from the surgery. Although you won’t be fully put to sleep, numbing eye drops are in your eyes, making driving unsafe. Wear plastic eye shields for the first five nights to avoid rubbing your eyes during sleep and impacting your new cornea.

Contact lenses are one of the most common ways to correct vision, with more than 45 million Americans regularly wearing them. This is one of the safest and most effective vision correction strategies assuming the contact lenses are taken care of correctly.

Although millions of Americans purchase and wear contacts yearly, most don’t wear them properly or take the correct steps to clean and replace them regularly. If you suspect you’re wearing your contacts incorrectly or experiencing any eye pain, be sure to contact your optometrist immediately to correct the situation. In the meantime, follow these tips to keep your eyes healthy while wearing contact lenses:

Never sleep in your contact lenses

It’s important to avoid sleeping in your contact lenses at all costs because those who have been proven to be at eight times greater risk of an eye infection, according to the CDC. The lack of oxygen to the eye means the body can’t fight off microorganisms and puts you at greater risk for bacterial infections like bacterial keratitis, acanthamoeba keratitis and fungal keratitis.

If you regularly forget to take your contacts out at night, try establishing a nighttime routine that includes taking your contacts out, washing your face, brushing your teeth and anything else that soothes you and creates a sense of routine. You could even try setting a daily alarm on your phone to remind you to take your contacts out.

If you accidentally sleep with your contacts in, remove them immediately with a soft lubricant like eye drops. From there, give your eyes a break by wearing your glasses and watching for any symptoms.

Properly clean contact lenses

Never use water when cleaning your lenses because it quickly dries out and brings in bacteria. Instead, use a contact lens disinfecting solution that’s fresh whenever you store your contact lenses in a case. Be sure to replace your contact lens case at least once every three months for optimal cleaning. When you are ready to remove your contact lenses from the case, only do so with freshly washed hands.

At Utah Eye Centers, we’re your go-to resource for general care, retina, pediatrics, cosmetic, refractive care and more. We’re a patient-centered clinic focused on your having a fabulous treatment experience. To learn more about our locations and services, visit our website or call (801) 476-0494.

We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you in booking your first appointment.

Summer is arriving quickly and it’s time to make a plan to protect your long-term vision. The shift of the seasons is an exciting time for many and comes with outdoor activities like swimming, camping and hiking. While fun for many, these activities expose your eyes to increased UV rays that can damage your eyes if there’s a case of prolonged unprotected exposure. Follow these tips for eye protection in the summer months.

Wear sunglasses with ultraviolet protection

Although it may be tempting to go with a more stylish pair of sunglasses, always be sure to opt for the pair with advanced UV ray protection. While shopping, only buy sunglasses with a UVA and UVB protection label. UV rays penetrate the eyes from all angles, so be sure to find a pair that’s a good fit for your face shape and thoroughly covers your eye.

While shopping, why not get eye protection for the whole family? With the right stylish pair of glasses, you’ll stand out at your next family vacation, road trip or lunch date. Happy shopping!

Wear pool goggles

Always be sure you and your kids wear goggles when swimming in bodies of water this summer. You never know what bacteria could be hiding under the service and you don‘t want to risk an eye infection or other unknown disease.

Be sure to take your contacts when swimming too because viruses and parasites can lodge under your contact lenses, causing further infection. If you suspect you have an eye infection, be sure to contact your local eye doctor or instacare immediately. And of course, do not swallow any of the water!

Find a stylish hat

The onset of summer means hat shopping! You‘ll never go wrong with a stylish floppy hat or baseball cap to protect your eyes and skin from the sun’s rays! Style your hat with a brightly printed pool cover-up and strappy sandals to complete the look.

You can also wear your hat to complete everyday activities like weeding the garden and mowing the lawn.

At Utah Eye Centers, we provide world-class vision services nationwide to help you see your best and protect your long-term vision. Visit our website to learn more about our services and treatments, like LASIK, glaucoma, cataracts, basic eye care services, and more. We look forward to helping you maintain a healthy vision lifestyle!