Eye Doctor in Laguna Beach

It’s that time of year again, when parents are compiling back-to-school checklists of school supplies, books, and uniforms.

But here’s one more important item to add to your list: back-to-school eye exams!

Why Are Eye Exams Crucial Before the New School Year?

Academic success goes hand in hand with great vision. After all, about 80% of classroom learning is visual. Whether your child is doing homework, reading from the whiteboard, or playing sports — clear vision is essential.

Some parents rely on school vision screenings to detect their child’s vision problems, but these are merely screenings and are generally insufficient to adequately assess a child’s visual capabilities. Only a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist can evaluate various visual skills like eye tracking, teaming, eye focusing and other crucial visual skills.

It’s also important to note that many children aren’t capable of verbally communicating the visual difficulties they may be experiencing. They may not even realize there is a problem.

Especially during the school years, children’s eyes grow and develop rapidly, and changes in vision can occur suddenly.

An eye exam before school starts will help ensure that your child is ready to succeed in the classroom.

Frames To Suit Each Child

The new school year is also a great time for children to get a confidence boost with a new pair of stylish glasses.

If a refractive error (nearsightedness or farsightedness) is detected, your child can choose a pair of glasses from the wide range of frames we offer. Beautiful frames will show off their style and make them feel good about themselves.

At Laguna Eyes Optometry, we carry the latest in children’s eyewear, some inspired by adult trends, and some with fun, imaginative bold colors and shapes. All of our children’s frames are durable, comfortable, and made with kid-friendly materials.

Our optometric team will ensure that your child’s glasses fit securely and comfortably, reducing the risk of dropping or breaking their new eyewear.

Our Optometrist Can Help

We know that some kids can be a little apprehensive about going to the eye doctor, which is why we use the most gentle approach during eye exams. Our goal is for each child to feel comfortable from the moment they walk in until the moment they leave.

Our friendly and warm staff has experience with children of different ages and visual needs, so you know your child is in good hands.

Get your child off to a smart start this year by calling Laguna Eyes Optometry in Laguna Beach to schedule their eye exam today!

Q: Can my child choose contact lenses if they don’t want glasses?

• A: Usually! Children as young as 8 can start wearing contact lenses, depending on several factors. If the parent and child both agree that the child is mature enough to wear and care for contact lenses, contacts can be a great option for vision correction. Speak with us to determine if contact lenses are right for your child.

Q: What happens during a pediatric eye exam?

• A: During your child’s eye exam, the optometrist will run a range of tests to assess basic visual acuity like near vision, far vision and astigmatism. Tests of visual skills may also be performed, which assess focusing, convergence, lazy eye and visual processing. The optometrist will also examine the physical health of the eye and ask about any relevant medical history or issues that could affect your child’s vision.

Quality Frames For Prescription Eyeglasses & Computer Glasses. Visit Laguna Eyes Optometry for an eye exam and eyeglasses that match your style.

Optical Store & Eye Care Center in Laguna Beach

There is some controversy around the topic of blue light, especially when it comes to children’s eye health and screen time.

Some claim that it’s harmful to a child’s growing eyes and may contribute to retinal damage and other eye conditions. Others believe that blue light isn’t anything to worry about.

Below, we’ll explore what science has to say about blue light, and whether you should invest in a pair of blue light glasses for your child or teen.

What is Blue Light?

Blue light is a high-energy light on the spectrum of visible electromagnetic energy. Some intense forms of blue light have a similar frequency to ultraviolet light, which can penetrate through the eye and reach the retina.

The main source of blue light is the sun, but it’s also emitted by artificial indoor lighting, smartphones, and other digital devices.

Is Blue Light Harmful?

Studies are mixed regarding the safety of blue light on retinal health. The main studies that prove blue light’s harmful effects have been conducted on rats, not humans, and involved very high amounts of blue light. Scientists are trying to determine whether digital screens and indoor lighting, which emit far less blue light, can cause eye damage, especially in the long term.

A study published in Integrative Biology used petri dishes to host retinal cells that were exposed to high-intensity blue light. In this experiment, the retinal cells underwent drastic changes and even cellular death upon intense exposure. However, this may not accurately represent how blue light interacts with retinal cells within the eye.

One thing is certain about blue light: it affects the quality of our sleep and causes eye strain.

Blue light triggers certain cells in the retina that communicate with the pineal gland in the brain. The pineal gland produces a sleep hormone called melatonin — a vital component of the circadian rhythm. When blue light inhibits melatonin production, it may lead to poor sleep quality or insomnia.

Since blue light makes the body more alert, the recommendation is to stop using digital devices at least 2 hours before bedtime.

Can Kids and Teens Benefit From Blue Light Glasses?

Blue light glasses are a good idea for kids and teens who spend a lot of time in front of screens, especially in the evenings.

A study by the University of Houston found that participants (ages 17-42) who wore blue light glasses experienced a 58% increase in their nighttime melatonin levels. This finding is relevant to kids and teens who spend night hours being productive in front of a screen.

A small-scale study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health showed that blue light glasses were effective in minimizing alertness and inducing melatonin production in healthy teenage boys, improving their circadian rhythm.

Some studies have found a link between a child’s disrupted biological clock and an increased risk of several health problems, including metabolic syndrome, depression, and cancer.

Blue light glasses don’t claim to minimize these risks, but simply increase a child’s ability to produce more melatonin and potentially have better quality sleep.

Blue light glasses also reduce eye fatigue and digital eye strain by reducing glare. Blue light can decrease contrast, causing the eyes to work harder and strain for a clearer image.

Symptoms of digital eye strain in children and adolescents include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Poor posture
• Changes in vision
• Dry eyes

We Provide Blue Light Glasses and Other Services

Here’s the bottom line:

If your child spends much of their time studying or completing homework on a computer, or playing games on a phone or tablet, you may want to consider getting them blue light glasses to improve the quality of their sleep and reduce digital eye strain.

At Laguna Eyes Optometry, we take the time to sit with each patient and ask the necessary questions to get a full picture of your lifestyle and visual needs. Our optometric team will guide you and your child through all of their options, whether it’s blue light glasses, regular glasses, or contact lenses.

To schedule your child’s eye exam or to learn more about what we offer, contact Laguna Eyes Optometry in Laguna Beach today!

Q: Do blue light glasses filter out all of the blue light?

• A: No. Blue light glasses usually filter out around 80% of incoming blue light. Because there isn’t a way to filter out 100% of blue light, we recommend limiting screen time whenever possible and wearing 100% UV-blocking sunglasses when outdoors during the day.

Q: Are blue light glasses the same as computer glasses?

• A: The lenses of computer glasses have a slight magnification to relieve the eye muscles from constantly focusing on the near screen. Blue light glasses usually have a yellowish tint to filter out blue light.

Quality Frames For Prescription Eyeglasses & Computer Glasses. Visit Laguna Eyes Optometry for an eye exam and eyeglasses that match your style.

Contact Lens Eye Exams in Laguna Beach

Have astigmatism and want to wear contact lenses? No problem!

Astigmatism is a common refractive error caused by an abnormal or uneven curvature of the cornea that impedes your eye’s ability to focus light properly on the retina. This results in blurry or distorted vision that makes it difficult to distinguish forms and details at any distance. It can also cause headaches, fatigue and eye strain.

Fortunately, there are several types of contact lenses that correct astigmatism, as well as nearsightedness and farsightedness.

Can I Wear Contacts with Astigmatism?

If you have mild to moderate astigmatism, contacts are an affordable and convenient way to correct your vision. In fact, contacts can reduce distortion, offer a wide visual field, and improve visual clarity.

Toric contact lenses are one type of contact lens— in fact, they’re specifically designed to correct astigmatism. They’re slightly thicker and larger, and more stable on the eye than non-toric contacts.

Toric lenses have various design features to ensure they sit correctly on your eye. One of them is the weight at the bottom made to keep them in place and prevent rotation. These lenses are also designed to move with your eye, allowing tears to flow under the lens so you can maintain comfortable and clear vision.

There are two types of astigmatism:

• Regular or corneal astigmatism. This is the most common form of astigmatism. It occurs when the cornea curves in more than one direction, and instead of a sphere, it’s oval-shaped. This type of astigmatism can be corrected by wearing contact lenses, glasses, or through surgery.
• Irregular astigmatism. This occurs when the cornea unevenly curves in several directions and in varying degrees. In such cases, rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contacts are the best option.

Types of Contact Lenses for Astigmatism

There are four types of toric contact lenses, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Soft contact lenses

Soft contact lenses are a popular choice for those with mild to moderate astigmatism. Their softness and flexibility provide comfort, they’re simple to insert and remove, and stay put on the moving eye. However, achieving the best final prescription can be challenging, especially for moderate to high levels of astigmatism, as the visual clarity might not be as stable as an RGP lens. Your optometrist might need to make several adjustments to achieve desired results.

RGP contact lenses

While RGP lenses are smaller and harder than soft lenses, they are more oxygen-permeable and allow more tears to surround the lens. At first, these lenses may feel less comfortable than soft contacts since they are less flexible. Overtime, as you get used to wearing them, these lenses will become more comfortable.

Because they maintain their shape, RGP lenses are more effective than soft lenses at correcting astigmatism and improving visual clarity. They also keep their shape when you blink, allowing for a more stable and clearer vision. That said, they can dislodge during strenuous physical activities. Another disadvantage of RGP lenses is that debris, such as dirt and dust, may get trapped under the lens and cause irritation.

Hybrid contact lenses

Hybrid contacts combine a rigid gas-permeable center with softer edges composed of soft hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. These lenses provide comfort while maintaining the clarity that RGP lenses provide. Because of their large size and thin edges, they’re less likely to fall out during physical activities.

Scleral contact lenses

Scleral lenses are rigid and maintain their shape regardless of the corneal shape. In addition, they sit on the sclera rather than the cornea, allowing the eye to properly focus light and therefore ensuring sharp vision and comfort. The liquid reservoir trapped behind the scleral lens compensates for corneal astigmatism and ensures a secure fit.

How We Can Help

During your comprehensive eye exam, we’ll determine the severity of your astigmatism, as well as your degree of farsightedness or nearsightedness. We will also recommend which contact lenses are best for you, based on your needs. In some cases, your astigmatism will require custom-made toric contact lenses.

Schedule an appointment with Laguna Eyes Optometry in Laguna Beach to receive your contact lens eye exam and initial lens fitting, the first step toward sharper, more comfortable vision.

Q: Is a contact lens exam the same as a regular eye exam?

• A: If you wear or want to wear contacts, you need a contact lens exam in addition to a regular eye exam. Your eye doctor will perform special tests during a contact lens exam to evaluate your vision with contacts.An eyeglass prescription is not the same as a contact lens prescription. A contact lens prescription measures lenses that sit directly on the surface of the eye, whereas an eyeglass prescription measures lenses that are positioned around 12 millimeters from your eyes. After your eye doctor has determined your prescription they will conduct a contact lens fitting.

Q: What is a contact lens fitting?

• A: Since contact lenses are not one-size-fits-all, your eye doctor will need to take measurements of your corneal curvature, pupil or iris size and will evaluate your tear film, to properly fit your contact lenses. Contact lenses that do not fit properly can cause blurry vision, discomfort and even damage your eyes.

Quality Frames For Prescription Eyeglasses & Computer Glasses. Visit Laguna Eyes Optometry for an eye exam and eyeglasses that match your style.

Eye Doctor In Laguna Beach

Digital eye exams allow the optometrist to detect changes to your eyes faster and with greater accuracy. Eye conditions can now be detected earlier, resulting in improved treatment, thanks to new and improved digital equipment.

What Is a Digital Eye Exam?

You’ve probably already had a digital exam without realizing it, as they’re popping up at eye doctors‘ offices all over the place.

Digital eye exams are personalized automated tests that are often used in conjunction with regular vision exams to save time during your visit.

These include computerized sensors that use cutting-edge technology to produce an accurate guide to your optical prescription and check for underlying eye conditions. These devices speed up the process by computing the results automatically, rather than having the eye doctor perform the complete eye exam manually. At the conclusion of your eye exam, your eye doctor analyzes all the measurements and images to calculate your eyeglass prescription and assess your eye health.

How Does A Digital Eye Exam Check Eye Health?

In addition to assessing your vision, digital eye exams can map and image your eye, providing the eye doctor with detailed information about your ocular health. Digital eye tests include:

• Corneal Topography – to assess corneal health and help with contact lens fittings
• Digital Retinal Imaging – used to detect serious eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration
• Optical Coherence Tomography – identifies any signs of diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension in your eyes using 3D color images

At Laguna Eyes Optometry in Laguna Beach we offer digital eye exams to help you maintain healthy eyes and vision. Take advantage of this new technology by scheduling an eye exam today.

Q: Why should I have my pupils dilated?

• A: Your eye doctor typically dilates your pupils during a comprehensive eye exam to get the best possible view of the retina, optic nerves and other parts of the eye. This helps them catch glaucoma, macular degeneration and other irreversible eye diseases before they progress to severe vision loss.

Q: How often should I get a digital eye exam?

• A: It’s recommended to have a comprehensive eye exam — digital or regular — every one to two years, depending on your age, risk factors and whether you currently wear glasses or contact lenses.

Quality Frames For Prescription Eyeglasses & Computer Glasses. Visit Laguna Eyes Optometry for an eye exam and eyeglasses that match your style.