Frequently Asked Questions

Select a Question

When should an adult’s eyes be examined?

Adult examinations of the eyes should be performed in our Fort Lauderdale office and on a regular basis for early detection of problems:

If no health problems indicate more frequent exams, then most adults under the age of 60 should be examined every 2 years.
Patients over the age of 60 should be examined annually.

High risk adults should be examined more frequently depending on the condition; conditions include:

Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or HIV/AIDS
Extreme myopia
Family history of glaucoma, retinal detachments, and macular degeneration

Why have I gradually found it harder to read?

The ability to focus on near objects decreases steadily with age and is referred to as presbyopia. Presbyopia is a natural aging of the lens. It is usually near the age of 40, when glasses or bifocals are prescribed to correct this condition.

Do contact lenses or wearing glasses prevent nearsightedness (myopia) from getting worse?

No, wearing contact lenses or glasses does not prevent myopia from getting worse. Wearing glasses or contact lenses eliminates or reduces the symptoms myopia causes.

Will working at a computer screen hurt my eyes?

There is no peer-reviewed study that indicates working at a computer damages the eyes. However, long hours of work can be fatiguing to the eyes, neck, and back. Monitor glare from various light sources can also be a problem. It is often helpful to take periodic breaks, looking off in the distance and adjusting your work station (angle of the monitor, height of the chair, changing the lighting, etc.).

Are sunglasses good for my eyes?

Yes, there is a benefit to wearing UV protective lenses. They may help protect against:

Cataract formation
Pyterigium and pinguecula formation or irritation

Will reading in dim light hurt my eyes?

No, but most people are more comfortable reading with proper lighting. Lighting should be bright enough to provide good illumination but not so bright as to cause glare.

Can I use my eyeglass prescription to buy over-the-counter contact lenses?

No, because it does not provide the specifications for lens diameter, thickness and base curve. Also, a contact lens prescription must be carefully fitted by an eye care specialist to avoid serious adverse reactions.

How often do I need to get my prescription changed?

There is no predetermined schedule for changing glasses or contacts. It is necessary to change your prescription only when it no longer provide adequate correction. However, it is still a good idea to have regular eye examinations in our Fort Lauderdale office to check for any ocular diseases. Ft. Lauderdale Eye Associates strongly recommends a yearly refraction to determine if there is any change in glasses prescription. A contact lens prescription is only valid for one year.

Is pink-eye contagious?

Yes, viral and bacterial conjunctivitis (pink-eye) are very common and extremely contagious. Avoid touching eyes with your hands, wash hands frequently, do not share towels. Avoid work, school or daycare activities for a least five days or as long as discharge is present or until your eye care specialist tells you it is safe to return.

Why does my eye twitch?

Mild twitching of the eyelid is a common phenomenon and most often associated with stress or fatigue. Although these involuntary contractions of muscles are annoying, they are almost always temporary and completely harmless. The medical name for this kind of twitching is ocular myokymia.

When should my child’s eyes be examined?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the first vision screening occur in the hospital as part of a newborn baby’s discharge examination. Later amblyopia and alignment screenings should take place at three years of age and then yearly after school age. If you suspect your child suffers from decreased vision, if there are hereditary factors that might predispose your child to eye problems or you notice a misalignment of your child’s eyes, please make an appointment with your eye doctor at our office in Fort Lauderdale as soon as possible. New techniques make it possible to test vision in infants.

Can my child wear contact lenses during sports activities?

Yes, contact lenses provide excellent vision for most sports. However, they do not protect the eyes from injury. Therefore, contact lens wearers should use polycarbonate sports safety goggles or glasses when participating in some sports.

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

No, there is no peer-reviewed scientific study that indicates that TV sets emit rays that are harmful to the eyes.

Is my child likely to inherit my need for glasses?

Possibly. If both the biological parents wear glasses or one parent is highly myopic or hyperopic, your children are more likely to need them as well.

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

An Ophthalmologist (MD) has a medical degree and is licensed and trained to practice medicine. They diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery and can prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.
An Optometrist (OD) has a degree in optometry and is licensed to diagnose eye diseases, prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are licensed and trained to treat many eye diseases, but do not perform surgery.
An Optician is licensed and trained to fit, manufacture and dispense eyeglasses or contact lenses based upon a prescription from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.

What is visual acuity?

Acuity is the measure of the eye’s ability to distinguish the smallest identifiable letter or symbol, its details and shape, usually at a distance of 20 feet. This measurement is usually given in a fraction. The top number refers to the testing distance measured in feet and the bottom number is the distance from which a normal eye should see the letter or shape. So, if normal vision is 20/20 and your vision is 20/60, this means what you can see at a distance of 20 feet, someone with normal vision can see at a distance of 60 feet.

What is low vision?

Low Vision is a term describing a level of vision below normal (20/70 or worse) that cannot be corrected with conventional glasses. Low vision is not the same as blindness. People with low vision can use their sight. However, low vision may interfere with the performance of daily activities, such as reading or driving.

What is legal blindness?

Legal blindness occurs when the best corrected central acuity is less than 20/200 or your side vision is narrowed to 20 degrees or less in your better eye. Even if you are legally blind, you may still have some useful vision. If you are legally blind, you may qualify for certain government benefits.

General

Adults

Children

Contact Lenses

Computer Screens & Reading

Sunglasses

Terms