Eye Care 101: Answering Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

Eye Care 101: Answering Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

Your vision is one of your most important senses, and understanding how to protect and care for your eyes is crucial. If you’ve found yourself googling questions like “Why is my eyelid twitching?” or “When should I get my eyes examined?”, you’re not alone. Many of us have questions about our eyesight and eye health but may not know where to look for reliable, expert information. 

Here at Community Eye Care Specialists, we understand the importance of accessible and accurate eye health education. That’s why we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide, answering some of your most frequently asked questions about eye health, eye anatomy, visual acuity, visual impairments, and more. 

Authored by our team of expert ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians, we aim to bring clarity to your concerns and empower you with knowledge about your eye health.

FAQ: Why did my eyelid start to twitch? How can I make it stop?

This condition is known as Blepharospasm, which is typically due to stress, lack of sleep, or caffeine intake. If it persists, Botox treatments can provide relief, which usually lasts about two months. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you’re experiencing persistent eyelid twitching.

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

In the world of eye care, these three roles have distinct responsibilities:

• Opticians craft and fit glasses to correct vision based on prescriptions provided by optometrists or ophthalmologists.
• Optometrists, eye doctors who diagnose and treat eye health issues, are skilled in managing vision changes and eye diseases, but do not perform surgery.
• Ophthalmologists are medical doctors specializing in eye and vision care. They provide the broadest level of eye care, including performing eye surgeries.

FAQ: How does normal vision develop?

The power of your eyesight depends on the size of your eye. A normal-sized eye leads to normal vision. If an eye grows too large, the person becomes nearsighted (good sight up close, poor at distance). If the eye is too small, the person is farsighted (good sight at a distance, poor up close).

FAQ: How does the eye work (eye anatomy)?

The eye functions similarly to a camera. It uses a lens to focus an image on the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. The retina then captures this image and sends it to the brain via the optic nerve for interpretation, allowing us to see.

FAQ: When should my child’s eyes be examined?

Children should have their first eye exam shortly after birth, typically conducted by a pediatrician. If parents notice anything concerning, such as poor eyesight or an inward-turning eye, they should consult a specialist. Additionally, schools often perform vision screenings.

FAQ: When should an adult’s eyes be examined?

Adults should have their eyes checked annually, or anytime they notice a change in vision. Depending on specific health concerns or conditions such as glaucoma, your eye doctor may recommend more frequent check-ups.

FAQ: Is pink-eye contagious?

Pink-eye, or conjunctivitis, is often caused by a viral infection that can easily spread from one eye to the other, and from person to person through tears. It’s indeed quite contagious.

FAQ: What are the medical terms for nearsightedness and farsightedness?

Nearsightedness, or the ability to see well up close but not at a distance, is medically referred to as Myopia. Farsightedness, or seeing well at a distance but poorly up close, is known as Hyperopia.

FAQ: What is visual acuity?

Visual acuity is a measure of your sharpness of vision, determined by the smallest letter size you can identify on a standardized chart (Snellen chart) at a distance of 20 feet. So, if you have 20/30 vision, you can read at 20 feet what a person with normal vision could read at 30 feet.

FAQ: What is legal blindness?

Legal blindness is a term used to categorize severe vision impairment for legal and governmental purposes. It generally refers to visual acuity worse than 20/200, or a field of view narrower than 20 degrees in the better-seeing eye.

FAQ: What is visual impairment?

Visual impairment refers to a loss of vision that cannot be corrected fully to a “normal” level. This usually means that even with corrective aids like glasses or contact lenses, some degree of vision loss remains.

FAQ: What is low vision?

Low vision is a term indicating significant visual impairment that cannot be corrected with conventional glasses or contact lenses. It’s categorized into three levels:

• Mild low vision is considered to be 20/30 to 20/60 vision.
• Moderate is 20/70 to 20/400.
• Severe is less than 20/400 vision.

FAQ: Can eyes be transplanted?

While whole eye transplants are not currently feasible due to the optic nerve’s complex connections to the brain, certain parts of the eye can be transplanted. For instance, the cornea (the clear front layer of the eye) can be replaced via a cornea transplant. Additionally, during cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is replaced with a clear plastic implant.

FAQ: Will working at a computer screen hurt my eyes?

Working on a computer screen for extended periods can cause dry eyes and eye strain. To combat these issues, you can use artificial tears and take regular breaks. It’s also crucial to ensure your glasses prescription is up-to-date.

FAQ: Will sitting too close to the television set hurt my child’s eyes?

Rest assured, sitting too close to the TV will not damage your child’s eyes. However, this behavior could indicate a need for glasses or suggest other vision issues.

FAQ: Why have I gradually found it harder to read without glasses?

As we age, usually around 40, our eyes have more difficulty focusing, which can make reading up close challenging. This condition is known as presbyopia and can be remedied with reading glasses.

FAQ: Are sunglasses good for my eyes?

Yes, sunglasses can protect your eyes from bright light and harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. However, it’s important to note that UV protection comes from a clear coating applied to the lenses, not from the tint itself.

FAQ: Is my child likely to inherit my need for glasses?

Eye power can be influenced by multiple genes inherited from parents. However, environmental factors such as outdoor activity can also play a role. Recently, scientists have noticed a rise in nearsightedness among children, which they suspect could be due to decreased outdoor activity.

FAQ: Will reading in dim light hurt my eyes?

While reading in dim light can make the task more difficult and can cause eye strain, it won’t cause permanent damage to your eyes.

FAQ: How often do I need to get my prescription changed?

Eye growth and changes can continue into your early twenties. For most people, an annual eye exam is sufficient to keep prescriptions up-to-date.

FAQ: What materials are available for glasses?

Eyeglass lenses are typically made from various types of plastic these days, as opposed to glass. Different plastics offer varying levels of thickness and weight, with the goal of creating as thin and light a lens as possible. Polycarbonate lenses, in particular, are highly impact-resistant and are recommended for people with only one good eye.

FAQ: We hope this guide has been helpful and informative.

At Community Eye Care Specialists, we believe in the importance of personalized care, and we understand that every individual’s eyes are unique. Remember, regular check-ups are vital to maintain good eye health and catch potential issues early.

If you have more questions or if it’s time for your regular check-up, reach out to us.

We’re here to guide you on your journey towards better eye health. Click here to schedule an appointment with our caring and dedicated team today. Our mission is to provide excellent eye care and keep your world in clear focus.