How Can Athletes Best Protect Their Eyes?

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Athletes’ eyes can be impacted by anything from corneal scratches to sun damage. Blunt-force trauma from falls or tackles can lead to detached retinas or fractures, and UV damage can increase the risk of conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration. If you’re concerned about keeping your eyes safe, we’ll look at some steps you can take.

Invest in Eyewear

Goggles, polycarbonate lenses, sunglasses: no matter what sport you play, the right eyewear can improve your vision and protect your eyes. If you schedule an eye exam in Wellington, FL, you can ask your doctor more about which eyewear makes the most sense for both your eyes and the sports you play.

For example, the best prescription sunglasses block out UVA and UVB rays from the rays, so your eyes don’t absorb their harmful effects. With polarized lenses, you can even block out any extraneous glare for better performance on the field.

Improve Your Awareness

An athlete is usually focused on improving their game, which means they’re less likely to pay attention to things like sunglasses or contacts. However, if your eyewear is scratched along the way, common in high-contact sports, it’s important to replace or repair it to protect your vision.

Plus, it may be worth testing the waters if you don’t already wear a visor or a hat. Wide brims work in tandem with sunglasses to preserve your eyesight (and give you your best chance at victory).

Schedule an Exam with Your Eye Doctor

Reputable eye doctors in Wellington, FL work with athletes every day, and they know how important it is to get the right balance. If you’re looking to keep your eyes safe, contact Family Vision Center PA to schedule an eye exam or to ask a few questions about the best choice for you.

 

Family Vision Center PA: The Best Frames for Your Face Shape

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When you need glasses in Wellington, FL, one of the best parts of the optometrist visit is being able to choose your new frames. However, many people have trouble choosing the frame that highlights their best features.

Our team is here to help you select the right pair of glasses for your needs, but if you want a little extra insight, here’s how you can determine the right frame for your face.

 

Why Does Frame Shape Matter for Glasses?

The frame you choose can greatly impact the way you look. Glasses can highlight your best features or take away from them.

When you choose your next pair of glasses, think “opposites attract.”

  • If you have a face with sharp angles, namely a heart-shaped or square face, you’ll want to look for softer shapes in your frames, such as round or curved frames. These will help create a more symmetrical appearance.
  • If you have a round- or oval-shaped face, opt for sharper glasses to slim your face. Good options may include cat-eye or square frames.

Of course, the right frames for you will be the frames you love, so don’t hesitate to try on frames of different widths, colors, and shapes. And, if you need extra help, let us know — we’ll help you select from our collection of glasses in the office.

 

Get the Right Pair of Glasses for Your Vision

At Family Vision Center PA, we have a selection of beautiful glasses to choose from. We carry all major brands, from Guccu to Chopard and Oakley. Our team is here to help you find the right glasses in Wellington, FL, following your vision exam, so call us to set up an appointment or stop in to browse our collection today.

What Do the Numbers on Your Eyeglasses Prescription Mean?

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When you receive a prescription for a new pair of eyeglasses in Wellington, FL, it can feel like you are reading a foreign language. What do all those letters and numbers mean? Below, we explain how to interpret a typical eyeglass prescription.

The Standard Eyeglasses Prescription

You will see columns, words, and numbers that may not make much sense to you. Here is the order of words listed on a standard prescription for eyeglasses:

  • Sphere
  • Cylinder
  • Axis
  • Prism
  • Base
  • Add

You will also see the abbreviations OD, which is a Latin abbreviation for oculus dexter, and OS, which stands for oculus sinister. OD refers to the right eye, while OS refers to the left eye.

Under the word sphere, you should notice a number written in the OD and OS columns with a plus or minus sign in front of it. A plus sign indicates farsightedness and a minus sign tells the manufacturer that the person who will wear the glasses is nearsighted. The degree of correction depends on how severe your farsightedness or nearsightedness is, and the numbers can differ for each eye.

You will only see something written under the cylinder if you have an astigmatism. The number indicates the power the lenses need to have to correct the condition. Axis is another term that refers to astigmatism. The number present shows the angle the lens must be to correct this common visual disturbance.

Base refers to the lens curve, while add indicates bifocal or trifocal power. If you see something in the prism column, it means that your optometrist requested the manufacturer to create the glasses so that they bend the direction of light entering your eyes.

Do you need new eyeglasses in Wellington, FL? Please reach out to us to request an exam.

Tips for Transitioning from Glasses to Contacts

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There can be many emotions when it comes to transitioning from glasses to contacts. Teenagers may be desperate to turn in their spectacles for a pair of shades. Other people may not want to change their contacts but must play sports or perform other critical tasks. No matter where you lie on the spectrum, we’ll give you a few tips to make it a little easier.

Talk to Your Doctor

An optometrist in Wellington, FL, can tell you more about whether you’re eligible to transition to contacts and, if so, which contacts will work best for you. The good news is that most people can wear lenses, even if they have irregularly shaped corneas. However, because not all contact lenses are created equal, it’s important to talk to your doctor before you do anything else.

Prepare for Some Work

Everyone’s experience with contacts will be a little different, but the transition will disrupt your life. It may take a while to get the contact lenses in and out, especially if you’re squeamish about touching your eye with nothing more than a very thin film to protect you. Once the lens is in, you don’t want to keep it in all day. To ease into it, aim for a couple of hours per day and then work your way up. This can drastically reduce irritation, making you more likely to stick with it.

Visit an Optometrist in Wellington, FL

If you’re looking for contacts in Wellington, FL, Family Vision Center PA staff can give you more than pointers. We’re here to examine your eyes and find the best possible treatment plan as you transition.

Contacts vs. Eyeglasses: The Right Choice For You

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When you need vision correction, you have several options, including contact lenses or eyeglasses. Some people use a combination of both, but most rely on one primarily for everyday activities. The right choice for you will depend on several factors. You should consider all the advantages and disadvantages when choosing contact lenses in Wellington, FL, or prescription eyeglasses.

Comfort and Convenience
Contact lenses are considered to be the more convenient choice. They don’t need to be carried around or handled. They don’t fog up (as long as they are clean) or get splattered by raindrops. But eyeglasses are better as far as care and maintenance. Eyeglasses don’t need to be disinfected nightly. They don’t require special cleaning and rinsing solutions and are easier to wear and remove than contact lenses.

Lifestyle Considerations
The choice between contact lenses and prescription eyeglasses should also be made with lifestyle considerations in mind. Typically, more active individuals enjoy the freedom that comes with wearing contacts. This is especially true with those who enjoy sports. Glasses can fall off or break. If sports gear like goggles are needed—as is the case with swimming, snorkeling, etc.—they would need to be specially outfitted with the prescription.

Cost and Maintenance
Contact lenses generally require more upkeep. They need to be replaced regularly, and the cost of contact lens solutions adds up. Glasses might have a higher upfront cost, but they typically last longer, making them more cost-effective over time.

Aesthetics
Aesthetic preferences may also influence the choice. Some people prefer the way they look in glasses, while others dislike the appearance that eyeglass frames give them.

Are you ready to get a prescription for contacts or eyeglasses? Contact your Wellington, FL, eye doctor today to book your eye exam.

Caring For Your New Eyeglasses

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When you get new eyeglasses in Wellington, FL, you want to take good care of them. Eyeglasses are an investment in your eye health. The longer they last, the more value they add to your life. Here are some tips to help keep your glasses as good as new.

Use the Eyeglass Case
When you aren’t wearing your eyeglasses, store them in the eyeglass case. The case protects your glasses against damage from falls, scrapes on the lens, and more. One great tip is to keep several eyeglass cases around the house so there’s always one available when you need it.

Get Eyeglasses Adjusted
The hinge screws on eyeglasses can become loose, making them fit less comfortably than when you first got them. Every so often, it’s helpful to visit your eye doctor to have your eyeglasses adjusted. That way, the eyeglasses technician can ensure they fit properly and notice any developing issues with the frame or lenses.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Don’t use harsh chemicals or DIY solutions on your eyeglass lenses. Even something so common as vinegar can cause microscopic divots in the lens and ultimately disrupt your clear vision. Instead, opt for water and a lint-free, soft cloth that’s made for eyeglass cleaning.

Keep Out of the Sun
Don’t set your eyeglasses down on your car’s dashboard or near sunny windows. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage the lens coatings, such as anti-reflective or scratch-resistant layers, and may also cause the frames to warp or discolor.

Get an Eyeglass Chain
There are eyeglass chains and break-apart eyeglasses available now for people who take their glasses on and off frequently. These help you to avoid losing your glasses. Talk to your eye doctor to find out what’s available.

If you need a new or replacement pair of eyeglasses, contact us today to book an appointment with your eye doctor in Wellington, FL. We have lots of great styles to

Are You Ready to Say Good-bye to Glasses?  

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Although glasses help to improve vision, they are not always convenient to wear. They fog up, are difficult to wear when playing sports, and may not look as attractive as you would like. Contact lenses in Wellington, FL can make an excellent alternative. One of the greatest advantages of contact lenses compared to glasses is that they move naturally with your eyes to provide a clear field of view.

What Types of Contact Lenses Are Available?

When you come in for a contact lens evaluation and fitting, an optometrist at Vision Source will recommend a specific type of lens based on your lifestyle and vision challenges.

Daily Lenses

You wear these lenses for several consecutive days and then dispose of them. With other types of extended wear lenses, you wear them again once you remove them for cleaning. Choosing this type also decreases the risk of infection because you wear them for fewer consecutive days.

Extended Wear

You can wear these types of contact lenses for an extended time without needing to remove them, which may be up to 30 days. Just keep in mind that you will need regular monitoring and care from an optometrist to ensure that you do not develop an infection.

Rigid Gas-Permeable

RGP contact lenses are comfortable, require a short adjustment period, and correct most types of visual problems. They are also easy to insert and available in bifocals and tints. However, you must wear them consistently to ensure your eyes will adapt.

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses are ones that you wear every day and replace according to a predetermined schedule such as every two weeks, once a month, or once per quarter. These lenses are available with most prescriptions and are easy to clean and disinfect.

Please contact Vision Source to learn more about contact lenses in Wellington, FL today.