…But only if you have a great sense of humor! We promise not to post too many optometry-related tidbits (YAWN!), since we know from experience that these posts get the least amount of interest from our followers :P Mostly what we post are random Memes that make us (and hopefully you) laugh, office updates (including unexpected closures), and “Where in the World in Longmont” photo trivia contests! Here is our newest favorite Meme….
Glaucoma isn't just the "puff test"
Did you know that diagnosing glaucoma is more than just the “puff test” or “pressure test?” Every eye exam should include 3 basic “screening” tests for glaucoma: One is the pressure test. Second (arguably the most important) is an evaluation of the optic nerve, that connects the eye to the brain. Third includes a check of the peripheral vision. Every time you have a routine exam at our office, all of these are checked each time. If anything appears out of the ordinary, Dr. Neka will refer you for more extensive testing elsewhere. Also, we do not even have the “puff test” at our office. We will check your eye pressures in a more “friendly” way that won’t leave you so traumatized ;)
When should a child have their first eye exam?
Did you know that the American Optometric Association recommends ~3 eye exams before your child starts kindergarten? One at 6 months, one at age 3, and one at age 5? We don’t generally see children under age 4, but are happy to recommend other offices in the area that specialize in infant and toddler exams!
Pediatric Eye Exams
Did you know that we start examining children in our office at age 4? If your child has never had an eye exam before, we would be more than happy to see them! We love our pediatric patients!
New eyewear lines!
We are now a proud distributor of Fysh and Kliik Eyewear! If you just pop a pair on, you’ll look exactly like one of these models. You just won’t know which one until your lenses are done. Does anybody read these blog posts? Hello? Anybody there?
New FUNKY sunglasses!
We are now a distributor for Etnia Barcelona SUNGLASSES! We have been doing so well with their ophthalmic frames that we decided to bring in their sunglasses as well.
It's almost Spring!
And how lovely it is to finally see the sun peeking out again! Remember: Just like your skin can burn when exposed to the sun's harmful rays, your eyes can suffer as well. Luckily, we offer a wide variety of options for sun protection. Probably our most popular option lately has been our Eco frames, which all come with a magnetic sun clip (at no extra charge)! These have been flying off the shelf since we got them in about 2 years ago and are our top seller. Another popular option is for us to make you a separate pair of prescription sunglasses. Most vision insurance companies will give you a large discount on this additional pair of Rx sunglasses, since protecting the eyes from harmful UV light is so important. We recommend going with polarized sun lenses when possible, as the polarization will provide you with extra protection from sun and glare, which is especially important with such water sports as fly fishing or paddle boarding.
There are 2 other options available to you. First, there is the option to have your clear ophthalmic lenses made into "transitions" lenses, which makes the lenses turn into sunglasses as soon as you step outdoors. The second option is to have us make you a pair of magnetic sun clips, which are custom-designed to snap onto your new glasses (if not picking an Eco frame). If you are wondering what the best option is for you, feel free to stop in and talk to us about your visual and sporting needs! And….here’s a random stock image of a guy enjoying his Spring Break with apparently a cigar and Rayban sunnies. Does anybody even read these entire blog posts? You’re welcome.
Should I get my eye exam done online this year?
There is no FDA-approved computer system or app that substitutes an in-person eye exam with an actual eye doctor. The American Optometric Association President explains that “patients need to be wary of any company that claims its device can replace the care that a doctor provides.”
Online exams attempt to replace several critical components of an eye exam with your optometrist, one being the refraction test. The is the test that asks “which is clearer, 1 or 2?” The refraction determines your prescription; there is no way to accurately check this remotely. Also, more importantly, there is no great way to assess your ocular health remotely. Findings such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, ocular melanomas, retinal tears, retinal holes, and retinal detachments often have no symptoms early on and cannot be properly diagnosed remotely.
