Eye Care Articles
Children’s Vision
Kids and Sunglasses
You know what the sun can do to skin, right? Many a parent has learned the hard way. A few carefree hours in the sun – without sunscreen – can wreak havoc on the tender skin of children. Well, their eyes are just as delicate. But while many parents religiously slather...
Children’s Vision FAQs – Lost Eyewear
Does this situation sound familiar? You spend the last few weeks of summer getting the kids ready for the new school year. You purchased clothes, school supplies, and new glasses for your kids that need them. The first day of school is here and you check your child...
Is Your Child Ready for Contacts?
Summer is here, and the next school year is on the horizon. As you rush around getting new school clothes and supplies, don’t forget to schedule your child’s back-to-school eye exam. This is an essential step for school readiness because poor vision can be a barrier...
Are Contact Lenses a Good Choice for Kids?
Today, eye doctors are prescribing contact lenses for kids who are still in elementary school. These youngsters commonly experience fewer complications with contacts than young college students because it’s easier to train the younger children on how to use and care...
Getting Kids to Wear Glasses
Most people agree that a child’s success in school is heavily dependent on good vision. For those who need them, wearing glasses is crucial to ensuring they can learn to the best of their ability. But, as many parents experience, getting your child to actually...
Common Kids Eye Problems
Vision Issues Myopia (my·oh·pee·uh) More commonly known as “nearsightedness,” this vision problem occurs when someone can’t see objects in the distance while those nearby are clear. Look for signs of squinting and eye rubbing. Your child may also start sitting closer...
Protecting the Vision of Your Scholarship Investment
Protecting Kids Vision in Sports As the weather grows warmer, aspiring little leaguers have begun to channel their favorite Major League Baseball players and are ready to run the bases. Before your little one starts swinging a bat, there are several important things...
Are My Kids Ready for Contacts?
Are your kids ready for contacts? If you're thinking about contacts for your child or if they're starting to ask about wearing them, it's important to talk with your child's VSP network doctor. The following information might help you learn more about contact lenses....
Vision Therapy for Children
While it might seem obvious that being cross eyed means your eyes don’t line up normally, there is a lot more to crossed eyes than their appearance. Strabismus is the official term for crossed eyes, but other names for it include tropia, eye turns, wall eyed, and...
Vision Issues in the Classroom Resolved
“I kind of thought everybody thought the board was blurry.” When children experience vision issues, they may not always know that they are seeing the world differently than their peers. This becomes problematic when, according to a recent survey, 84% of parents in the...
Computer Vision Syndrome
Reducing Digital Eye Strain
How many hours a day do you spend staring at a screen? An hour? Three to four hours? More? According to recent findings from The Vision Council, 60% of Americans spend five or more hours a day with their eyes fixed on a smartphone, tablet, or computer screen*. And why...
Good vs. Bad Blue Light
There is no escaping the fact that most of us are surrounded by digital devices. Whether in the office, at home, or in the palm of your hand, these devices are ubiquitous. They also emit blue light and there has been a lot of media interest about the impact it is...
FAQ Computer Vision Syndrome and Computer Glasses
By the time the average American child reaches age 17, their eyes will have spent the equivalent of nearly six years looking at digital devices according to findings from a new survey by VSP. With so much screen time in today’s world, our eyes are being exposed to an...
Contact Lenses
Types of Contact Lenses
Today’s contact lens wearers have several options, which is fantastic but also confusing. Knowing which contact lenses are right for you means understanding the different contact lens options available. Think about your lifestyle and your vision needs as you read...
How to Handle Contacts
Want to make inserting and removing your contact lenses second nature? Wash your hands and follow these helpful step-by-step instructions. How to insert contact lens Wash your hands with an oil-free soap. You may be thinking washing your hands is a no-brainer but...
Contact Lenses for the Hard to Fit Patient
As we age, there are various eye conditions that we might develop, such as astigmatism or presbyopia. In fact, more than 32 million people in the U.S. have both of these conditions. If you’re among this population, then one common misconception you may be familiar...
Contact Lens Exam
A routine eye exam is not the same as a contact lens exam. For contact lens wearers, a contact lens exam is necessary to ensure the lenses are fitting both eyes properly and that the health of the eyes is not harmed by the contact lenses. Before we take a closer look...
Allergies While Wearing Contacts
22 million Americans suffer seasonal allergies. If you’re one of them and a contact lens wearer, you may as well refer to it as misery season. That’s because allergens have a special attraction to contacts – especially the soft variety, which most contact lens wearers...
Wearing Contacts Safely
Many people choose to make the switch from glasses to contacts. While there can be benefits to this alternative, it is important that you take necessary safety precautions, especially in a time when serious viruses can be transmitted through the eyes. Throughout his...
Rather Have Contact Lenses?
FAQs for Prospective Contact Lens Wearers Are you considering making the switch from eyeglasses to contact lenses, but still have questions on your mind? We’ve answered a few of the most common questions below. Do I need a contact lens exam? Yes. Contact lenses can...
Eye Exams
Eye Exam Misconceptions
We can all agree that having healthy eyes is important, but did you know just over 50% of people get annual eye exams? Why you might ask? According to a recent VSP survey in partnership with YouGov, a majority of people skip eye exams because they don’t think they...
Eye Exams and Diabetes
“An eye exam literally saved my life” were words Sharon, a 54-year-old New Orleans resident, never thought she would hear herself say. Sharon was working around the clock as an administrative assistant and taking care of her daughter and grandchildren who live with...
Do Eye Exams Detect Diabetes
Comprehensive eye exams are important for many reasons. Along with eye-related concerns, eye doctors may be able to detect other health issues during a comprehensive eye exam. Can you detect diabetes through an eye exam? “The answer is yes, yes you can,” said VSP...
Difference Between an Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, and Optician
You check your calendar and realize it’s time to see an eye doctor. Setting up the eye appointment is the easy part but knowing what type of eye care professional you may need can be confusing. To help clear the confusion, we’re breaking down the difference between an...
15 Facts About Your Eyes
You’ve had your peepers since you were born, so you may think you know them pretty well, but here are some fun facts you may not know about eyes: The average blink lasts for about 1/10th of a second. While it takes some time for most parts of your body to warm up to...
Eye Drop Choices
You’re at the pharmacy searching for something to relieve your eye irritation with some eye drops. When you get there and you find yourself faced with a wide selection of eye drops, many claiming to do the same thing, but not all eye drops are created equal....
Lens Enhancements – an interactive tutorial by VSP.com
https://www.vsp.com/eyewear-wellness/lasik-glasses-lenses/glasses-lenses/lens-enhancements
Better View and Early Detection with Retinal Imaging
Digital retinal imaging uses high-resolution imaging systems to take pictures of the inside of your eye. This helps VSP network doctors assess the health of your retina and helps them to detect and manage such eye and health conditions as diabetes, glaucoma, and...
Questions for Your Eye Exam
You may know what to expect from an eye exam, but taking a moment to prepare your thoughts beforehand can go a long way. Doing so will help you get the most out of your time with both your eye doctor and optician as well as ensure you get the best solutions for your...
Preparing for an Eye Exam
An annual eye exam is a great step in taking care of not only your eyes but your overall health. Eye exams can detect signs of serious conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Visiting the eye doctor doesn’t have to feel intimidating, even if you haven’t...
Eyeglasses
Multifocal Eyeglass Lenses
It can happen to anyone; even to those who have never experienced vision problems. Near vision begins to blur, and that ebook, menu, or cell phone needs to be held at arm's length in order to focus on it clearly. It's called presbyopia and comes with aging. Our eyes...
Free Form Lenses
Digitally Customized Lenses: It’s High-Definition for Your Eyes Think about the first time you saw high-definition television. Remember how it made your old analog TV picture seem drab and blurry? High-definition made colors brighter, shapes sharper, and brought...
Choosing Eyeglass Frames
You don’t need to be a fashion expert to find eyeglass frames that look great on you. Eyeconic makes finding the right frames simple. Use the following four tips to find the frames that work best for your style. Face Shape Is your face round, oval, square, diamond or...
Eye Safety on the Job Site
More than 2,000 people injure their eyes at work every day but with the right eye protection, most of these injuries could have been prevented or the severity lessened. Whether you work in a manufacturing plant, an office or as a mom taking care of little ones, it’s...
Protect Your Eyes on Vacation
The three things to remember next time you head out the door for vacation: Sunglasses If there’s one thing to not leave home without (besides your wallet, phone, and keys) it’s a trusty pair of sunglasses. No matter where you’re headed, sunglasses are the perfect...
Select the Perfect Frame
When you're browsing the frame selection in your eye doctor's office and you notice the doctor's assistant sizing up your face and your frame selection, what exactly is he or she checking for? We talked with Greg Jones, O.D., a VSP network doctor from Jamestown, N.Y.,...
Understanding Your Eyeglass Prescription
Trying to decipher your optical prescription is a common issue for many people. Here are three of the most common eye conditions that require a prescription in the first place: Myopia—commonly called nearsightedness, which makes distance vision blurry...
LASIK and Vision Surgery
LASIK Eye Surgery Q&A
Many myths about LASIK eye surgery have surfaced over the last 20 years. But as LASIK becomes more commonplace, those myths are finally being put to rest. Some of the more prevailing myths are debunked below. To learn more facts about LASIK and other laser eye...
Corrective Eye Surgery Basics
Most people have heard of LASIK, but did you know there are variations of LASIK eye surgery? One method may suit your vision correction needs better than another; your eye doctor and surgeon will determine the best course of action to meet your vision correction...
Eye Exams After LASIK
A little more than three years ago, I decided I was ready for LASIK surgery. I’d been wearing glasses and contacts since my sophomore year of high school, and decided I was ready for a change. My VSP network eye doctor performed LASIK on both eyes, and I was so happy...
Laser Eye Surgeries
Common laser eye surgeries such as LASIK and PRK are no longer for a brave few. A million-plus Americans choose to have laser eye surgery each year to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, presbyopia or astigmatism. But what exactly happens during the surgery? All...
Sunglasses
What are Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses not only reduce glare, they make images appear sharper and clearer, increasing visual clarity and comfort. Why Polarized Lenses? For all the benefits we receive from the sun, its light can pose serious vision problems. Sunlight reflecting off smooth...
Sunglasses FAQ
As the weather warms up, you may find yourself spending more time outside. To protect you and your family from the elements, sunglasses are a must! UV Exposure and Eye Health You’re exposed to more eye health risks than you may realize. UV rays are present year-round,...
Light Reactive Lenses
Nowadays, buying anything online with more than 2-day shipping is too long. A recipe that takes more than 30 minutes? Forget about it. Can’t watch the entire TV series at the click of a button? Not interested. Everywhere we look, life is all about the need for...
Choosing Sunglasses
For years, we’ve casually referred to sunglasses as “shades” - a nickname that reflects the laid-back, cool vibe that goes along with the look of sunglasses. After all, for many, sunglasses represent fashion, not health. To those fashion focused folks, we say take a...
Lens Color Guide for Sunglasses
Choosing a sunglass lens color is easy when you match up your lifestyle and favorite activities with the features and benefits each lens color provides. Use the lens tint guide below to discover the perfect lens colors that can elevate your sports performance, enhance...
Problems and Diseases
Wildfire Smoke and Your Eyes
With the early onset of wildfire season, decreased air quality could leave your eyes feeling like allergy season never left. Symptoms affecting the eyes such as itching, red, burning and watery eyes can all be caused by smoky air conditions. Limit your exposure to...
What are Eye Sties
Sure, there are a lot more serious eye problems to have, but no one wants a stye in their eye, either. They’re unattractive and, much of the time, painful, too. If you’ve suffered from a stye before, you probably wonder how to treat it and why it developed in the...
Ocular Migraines
Most people are familiar with classic migraines, but ocular migraines are less well-known. An ocular migraine is a condition where the blood vessels in the optic nerve at the back of your eye tighten and swell, resulting in various visual distortions. While classic...
Ocular Hypertension
Doctors use the term “hypertension” to describe the both general condition called high blood pressure as well as the specific condition called high intraocular pressure (IOP). Ocular hypertension is a condition where the pressure in your eyes, or your IOP, is too...
Genes and Vision Problems
Ah, the wonderful world of genetics. There’s the classic “family nose,” the disarming blue eyes, or the shock of thick, curly hair at birth. True, some things run in families. What about vision problems? Some do. Others tend to be influenced by environmental or other...
Effects of Presbyopia
Many a 40-something guy or gal has experienced that seemingly sudden shortening of the arms. No, the arms don’t actually shrink, but somehow, they don’t seem long enough to get that newspaper or book far enough away to read. That’s how the actual condition of...
Dry Eye Syndrome
Every time you blink, your healthy eyes get a bath from a fluid that's a combination of oil, water, and mucus. This fluid, or tears, helps protect and moisturize the eyes. When something irritates your eyes or interferes with the production of tears, it can result in...
Do You Have Presbyopia or Farsightedness
The symptoms of farsightedness and presbyopia are similar, but these two conditions aren’t the same thing. Both can lead to headaches, eye strain, overall fatigue, and trouble seeing things up close, but the reasons behind these symptoms are different. Farsightedness,...
Allergy Eyes
High levels of pollen, mold, dust, and other irritants can make for miserable eyes! These airborne allergens may be the primary culprit of watery, itchy eyes, but relief may be closer than you think. If allergens are making you weepy, your eyes are telling you...
10 Steps for Eye Relief
Have extra time on your hands now that you’re retired, or are you planning on what you will do with your time when retirement finally comes? Wherever you’re at with your free time, additional time on a tablet, phone, or digital device may be becoming a bigger part of...
Eye Health Tips For All Ages
Vitamins and Your Eyes
Eye vitamins and multivitamins are similar, but they contain a larger amount of eye-healthy nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3s, and lutein. Ideally, you should be getting your daily dose of these nutrients from a healthy diet, but eye vitamins...
Men’s Eye Health
You lift weights at the gym. You try your best to eat healthy. You drink plenty of water. But what about your eyes? Have you ever thought about what it takes to keep your vision healthy? If not, it’s time to do so as your eye health has a major correlation to the rest...
How Your Vision Changes as You Age?
No one sees the world quite like you, and it may take a new pair of lenses to help you see your best. Being a bit of a camera bug myself, it’s easy to recognize that many of life’s moments are worth capturing, whether it is seeing your favorite band in concert or the...
Eyesight at Every Age
Just like the rest of our bodies, our eyes have different needs as we age. That's why it's important to know which vision changes are a normal part of aging, and when something more serious may need the attention of an eye doctor. Vision Changes in Your 20s and 30s...
Eye Anatomy
Our eyes are one of the most significant tools we use to process the world around us. They allow us to interpret shapes, faces, colors, and depth by translating the light that reflects off of these things into electrical signals that the brain reads as images. The...
Debunking Eye Myths
There's a ton of health advice available online, on TV, and even from friends and family. Unfortunately, along with the good, a lot of bad information is out there. Sometimes it's not easy to tell the difference between fact and fiction, and eye health myths are no...
Halloween Saftey Tips
Halloween Safety Tips Whether you are taking little ones trick-or-treating or heading to a Halloween party, the fun of getting ready often begins with picking out a costume. But don't let even your scariest costume turn into a real nightmare. Avoid these common...
The New Workplace and Its Impact on Our Eyes
It’s been about a year since many of us quickly transitioned from an office to a work-from-home setting due to COVID-19. We quickly packed up our cubicle or shared desk space and began working from our couch, kitchen table or makeshift desk. This work-from-home...
Understanding Low Vision
Low vision is a significant loss of eyesight that can’t be improved with regular eyeglasses, contacts, medicine or surgery. It makes everyday activities like reading, writing, shopping, watching TV and driving, difficult, if not impossible. Millions of people are...