1. What is astigmatism?

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Astigmatism is a refractive error which is most commonly caused by the shape of the cornea (the clear part of the eye). The best way to understand astigmatism is to imagine that your cornea is shaped like an American football, rather than a basketball (spherical). If you place the football on the ground, the vertical curvature of the ball is steeper than the horizontal curvature. Hence, the vertical and horizontal light rays are bent unequally, causing blurred vision. Symptoms include confusing similarly shaped letters and numbers, as well as monocular double vision.

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2. Can I eat carrots to improve my vision, so I don't need glasses?

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While it is beneficial to have vitamin A for improved night vision, it won't eliminate your need for glasses. The two are not related. You should, however, focus on eating more green leafy vegetables like spinach, collard greens, and kale.

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3. I am about 40 years old. Why can't I read up close with my glasses or contacts?

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It most likely is Presbyopia. The lens inside your eyes loses elasticity about this age and makes it difficult to read up close or on a digital device (phone, tablet, computer).

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4. Should I get LASIK or PRK so that I don't need to wear glasses or contacts anymore?

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Laser eye surgery is an amazing modern technology. That said, like any surgery, one needs to be a good candidate for the surgery. Many factors are related to someone being a good candidate, including age, eyeglass prescription, eye anatomy, and motivation for the surgery. If you have any questions, please ask the doctor.

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5. I am over 60 years old. Why do I have so much glare driving at night?

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It could be a cataract. A cataract is a normal result of aging. As we get older, the lens inside the eyes get opaque and more difficult to see through, especially with night driving.

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6. I was told that I can't wear contacts because I have astigmatism. Is that true?

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Today's modern contact lens options include correction for mild and moderate amounts of astigmatism, as well as improved materials for more oxygen to the eyes.

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7. I just want color contacts for fun. Do I need a prescription?

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Contact lenses are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). As such, they require a valid prescription by an eye care provider, regardless of the contacts being color or clear, and regardless if they have power or not.

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8. I can see fine with my eyes. Why do I need an eye exam?

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There are many diseases and adverse conditions which could affect the eyes of someone who thinks that they see okay. Some may not cause blurry vision, but may affect the health of the eyes. During an eye exam, we screen for any abnormalities and try to catch these conditions before they get worse.

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9. My child's vision seems fine. Why do they need an eye exam?

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A baby's eyes are not fully developed when born. The child will normally develop different aspects of vision up to about 7 years old. It is important to screen for, and test early for any eye anomalies before they are hard-coded and irreversible.

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10. I don't believe in sunglasses. Why should I wear them?

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Sunglasses protect your eyes and skin (eyelids) from damage due to UV (ultraviolet) light. They can also reduce glare. You should always wear sunglasses outside during daylight.

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