Frequently Asked Questions in St. Louis MO

Most adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. If you wear glasses or contacts, have diabetes, a family history of eye disease, or notice changes in your vision, you should be seen annually. Regular exams help us detect issues early—even before symptoms appear.

You may need glasses or a prescription update if you’re squinting, getting headaches, feeling eye strain, or noticing blurry vision at certain distances. Trouble seeing at night or difficulty focusing during computer work are also common signs.

Yes—contact lenses are very safe when they fit properly and are worn as instructed. Following proper cleaning, replacement schedules, and avoiding overnight wear prevents most complications. A professional fitting ensures your lenses are healthy for your eyes.

Dry eyes can be caused by screen time, aging, medications, allergies, environment, or tear gland issues. Many patients experience dryness without realizing it’s a medical condition. We evaluate the underlying cause and recommend treatments like drops, warm compresses, or in-office therapies.

Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays—year-round, even on cloudy days. Wide-brimmed hats offer added protection. UV exposure can increase the risk of cataracts, macular degeneration, and surface eye diseases, so quality eyewear is essential.

Dilation allows us to see the back of your eye clearly, including the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. This helps detect early signs of diseases like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration—conditions that often have no early symptoms.

While some changes are natural with age, there’s a lot you can do: follow your exam schedule, protect your eyes from UV, manage chronic conditions like diabetes, limit screen strain, and wear your prescription as directed. Children and teens may benefit from myopia control treatments.

Mild morning blur can be normal due to dry eyes or overnight pressure on the eyes. But if the blurriness is frequent, persistent, or accompanied by pain or flashes of light, it should be evaluated to rule out underlying issues.

Rinse your eye with clean water or sterile saline—never rub it. If discomfort persists, or if something sharp or chemical enters the eye, seek care immediately. Quick treatment can prevent serious complications.

Optometrists provide comprehensive eye exams, diagnose and treat many eye conditions, prescribe medications, and fit glasses and contacts. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who can perform surgery in addition to providing medical eye care.

Digital eye strain happens from prolonged screen use and causes headaches, blurred vision, neck pain, and dry eyes. Following the 20-20-20 rule, using proper lighting, adjusting screen height, and wearing computer-specific lenses can significantly reduce symptoms.

Cataracts often cause blurry or cloudy vision, glare from lights, difficulty driving at night, and faded color perception. They develop slowly and are a natural part of aging.

LASIK may be a good option if you’re an adult with stable vision, healthy eyes, and no contraindications such as severe dry eye or certain corneal conditions. A full evaluation determines whether you’re a strong candidate.

Foods rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, lutein, and vitamins A, C, and E support ocular health. Leafy greens, fish, eggs, nuts, and colorful fruits and vegetables all play a role in maintaining healthy eyes.

Regular eye exams are the most important step. Maintaining healthy blood pressure, managing diabetes, avoiding smoking, and following your doctor’s recommendations also help reduce risk.

Floaters are common and result from age-related changes in the gel inside the eye. Flashes can occur when the retina is tugged. If you see a sudden increase in floaters, flashes, or a dark curtain over your vision, seek care immediately—it may signal a retinal tear.

Clean your glasses daily with lens-safe solutions and store them in a case. For contacts, wash your hands first, use fresh solution each time, never sleep in lenses unless approved, and follow your replacement schedule strictly.

Many vision plans cover annual exams, glasses, or contacts. Medical insurance may cover visits related to eye diseases, injuries, or medical conditions. Coverage varies, so we help patients understand their benefits before services.

Red eyes can be due to dryness, allergies, infections, irritation, or lack of sleep. Persistent redness should be evaluated to rule out underlying inflammation or infection.

Screens don’t cause permanent damage but can significantly strain your eyes, leading to discomfort, dryness, and headaches. Breaks, proper lighting, and specialty lenses help reduce strain.

Chiropractic care may help some patients with tension-related headaches, but headaches can also come from uncorrected vision problems or eye strain. A comprehensive eye exam can help identify whether your eyes play a role.

Children should have their first eye exam around age 6 months, again at age 3, and then before starting school. Early exams help detect issues that could affect learning.

After starting school, children should have an eye exam every year. Kids’ vision can change quickly, and early detection prevents academic or developmental delays.

Eye twitching is usually harmless and caused by fatigue, stress, caffeine, or dry eyes. If twitching lasts more than a few weeks or affects more than the eyelid, it should be evaluated.

Signs include squinting, sitting too close to screens, frequent headaches, eye rubbing, or declining performance in school. Regular exams are the best way to know for sure.

Not wearing your prescription can lead to headaches, eye strain, difficulty focusing, and decreased performance in daily tasks. In children, it may worsen certain visual developmental issues.

Choose sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, fit comfortably, and offer good coverage. Polarized lenses can reduce glare, and higher-quality lenses improve long-term comfort and clarity.

Nearsighted people see clearly up close but struggle with distance vision. Farsighted people often see better far away than close up. Both are common refractive errors that can be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery.

Even if your eyes feel fine, many vision and health problems develop silently and without early symptoms. Regular eye exams allow us to detect issues before they affect your sight, making treatment easier and more effective. Vision changes can happen gradually, and early detection is one of the best tools you have to protect your long-term eye health and overall wellness.