Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need an eye exam even when I see fine?

  Eyes are a part of the body, which means they don’t stay the same forever. The majority of us don’t drive our cars until the engine dies. We make sure to get regular gas and oil changes. Vision is a fundamental part of life, and the only way to maintain it is to take care of it before something happens. The gift of sight is precious, care for it to ensure that your vision sticks around for a long long time.

• When should I get my children’s eyes checked?

  80% of learning is done through the eyes. A complete eye exam should be done at an optometrist’s office before kindergarten. Vision screenings from other offices can miss eye conditions like latent hyperopia. Learn more about pediatric eyecare here.

• Why are glasses so expensive?

  When a piece of plastic gets sent to the optical lab, it gets shaved down to the exact curve that will bend light enough to perfectly match the prescription your eye needs. No two eyes in the world are exactly alike. Imagine if we could customize every bend of a shoe’s sole so that it fits our needs. Shoes, purses, electronics can cost $1000, but glasses are medical devices that help you see. Glasses are 100% fit to a functional organ on your body (the eye). It’s an incredible process worth every dollar. To see more, follow the journey of a pair of glasses.

• What do I do if my glasses break?

  We value long-term connection. That’s why when our patients use our services for glasses or contacts, it doesn’t just mean right at the time of sales. It means we will work with you and lens/frame warranties to make sure you are taken care of well after the date of service. For new patients in an emergency, we have an in-house edger that can make most single vision prescriptions the same day.

• Can I get a copy of my prescription?

  Yes, you are definitely entitled to your own prescription. But think of it like this: we are obtaining dozens of measurements to make a custom-tailored suit or dress, and instead, a person takes those measurements and purchases a size large at K-Mart. We’d like to see how that suit fits, and ultimately would like you to be in something comfortable & beneficial for your everyday life. Ideally, we like to see the exam to completion, meaning from evaluation to end result with glasses/contacts.

• What’s the deal with Blue Light?

  We rely heavily on our electronic devices, and even more so since the pandemic. Blue light is emitted from these screens. Research suggests prolonged blue light exposure can cause blurry vision, dry eyes, fatigue, headaches, and reduced melatonin production especially in kids. Beware that not all blue light glasses are created equal. When you purchase blue light glasses, read the description of what levels the glasses actually block to know whether it’s truly doing anything to help your children and your eyes. Feel free to reach out to us for further questions.

• What is astigmatism?

  Astigmatism is when the cornea (front surface) of the eye or the lens inside the eye has mismatched curves. Instead of having one curve like a round ball, the surface is more oval like an egg. Sometimes kids and adults can have significant astigmatism but can still pass a basic eye screening. When uncorrected it can cause distortion, eye strain, and headaches. A routine eye exam can detect astigmatism and correct for it.

• What is the difference between an optometrist, ophthalmologist, and optician?

  An optometrist is an eye doctor that can examine, diagnose, and treat eyes. This includes treating styes, conjunctivitis, managing glaucoma, and diagnosing cataracts & other eye diseases. Optometrists are the primary doctors that obtain eyeglass prescriptions and fit contact lenses (including specialty lenses for corneal disease). An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can perform medical and surgical interventions for eye conditions. An optician is a professional who helps choose and fit eyeglasses.