Monthly Archives: September

5 Common Excuses for Neglecting a Vision Exam

Proper vision care is extremely important for maintaining the health of your eyes.  So why is it so hard to get some people to commit to a vision exam on an annual basis?  There are a lot of excuses out there, but they are not valid!  Here are some of the most common reasons people give for delaying their vision exam – and why they just don’t make sense.

A vision exam is not necessary

A common misconception is that if you don’t have a noticeable or bothersome vision impairment, there is no need to see an eye doctor. But everyone should understand that getting a regular vision exam is much more than just getting fitted for glasses.  In fact, it’s one of the most important ways to ensure the overall health of your eyes.

Regular comprehensive vision exams can often detect changes to your vision over time, allowing us to diagnose any possible vision issues right away. In many cases, treatment options are more effective the earlier they begin. Therefore, an early diagnosis of a vision disorder could make a big difference in the overall treatment results.  Additionally, vision exams can indicate signs of other health disorders, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, thyroid disease, high blood pressure and more.

It’s not safe to go to the eye doctor’s office

When the COVID-19 pandemic first emerged, many businesses were forced to temporarily close or severely limit their operations. However, even as people have started returning to their pre-pandemic routines, some safety concerns may continue to linger. You can be assured that we take your health and safety very seriously.  We follow all appropriate health guidelines and take the necessary precautions in order to keep you safe while providing the highest quality care.

You don’t want to wear glasses

Some people may be concerned that if they have a vision exam, the eye doctor might actually discover a problem. And that could mean the possibility of wearing glasses. However, this should definitely not be a discouragement that keeps you from getting the proper eye care.  We carry a very large selection of designer frames in a variety of shapes and colors. So most people are able to pick out glasses that look great on their face.  And of course, for those who are completely opposed to glasses, they can explore the option of contact lenses, which also come in a variety of styles to match a range of lifestyles.

You don’t have vision insurance

While it is common to choose your medical visits and procedures based on your insurance coverage, that is not always necessary when it comes to vision care. In fact, even without vision coverage, a vision exam can still be very affordable. We will work with patients who do not have insurance coverage to offer convenient financing options if needed. Vision care is important so we do everything we can to ensure that quality, affordable care is available to all of our patients.

You don’t have time for vision exam

This is one of the most frustrating reasons people give for not making an appointment for a vision exam.  The truth is, no matter how busy your schedule may seem, there is always room for something that is this important.  Your vision is one of the most precious gifts you have and this is a very easy way to care for it.  Proper vision can make such a difference in daily life, for both kids and adults.  Almost everything we do is affected by our vision. So making the time for that annual vision exam will help to ensure a lifetime of healthy vision.

People need to realize the importance of proper vision care and stop making excuses to avoid it.  The compassionate, professional team at Family Vision Development Center is dedicated to providing excellent vision care, through a wide range of services, to our patients of all ages, and we encourage everyone to schedule their vision exams regularly to maintain long-term healthy vision.  Contact us at 630-862-2020 to make your appointment today!

Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.

3 Easy Ways to Reduce the Risk of Glaucoma Vision Loss

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over age 60.  Most cases are caused by a buildup of pressure in the eye when fluid is not able to drain properly.  This pressure can build slowly or rise very quickly and can cause issues such as blurry vision, severe eye pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or the appearance of rainbow-colored rings around lights.  At this time, there is no way to reverse vision damage caused by glaucoma. But there are ways to help prevent further damage from occurring.

Know Who is Most at Risk of Glaucoma

While anyone can develop glaucoma, there are some factors that tend to increase the risk, including:

• Age – the older you get, the higher the risk of developing glaucoma, especially after age 60
• Race – with higher risk being associated with those who are Black, Asian or Hispanic
• Family history of glaucoma
• Having high internal eye pressure
• If you have diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure, heart disease or sickle cell anemia
• If you have corneas that are thin in the center
• If you are very nearsighted or farsighted
• If you have previously had an eye injury or eye surgery
• If you use long-term steroid medications, especially as eyedrops

People with one or more of these risk factors should be diligent about following up regularly with their eye doctor for observation and care.

Get Regular Vision Exams

The only way to diagnose glaucoma with certainty is with a comprehensive vision exam.  Some forms of this eye disease can cause blindness if not treated quickly, but symptoms are often not apparent until the damage is severe and your vision has already been compromised.  This is why regular eye exams are so important, as they can detect signs of glaucoma that would otherwise go unnoticed.

During a glaucoma assessment, we will measure your eye pressure, examine your optic nerve for abnormalities, inspect your eye’s drainage angle, measure the thickness of your cornea and test your peripheral vision.  All of these factors are used to determine the presence of or likelihood of developing glaucoma.

Treat Symptoms as Early as Possible

Glaucoma damage is permanent and cannot be reversed.  But there are a number of options that can help prevent further damage from occurring.  Typically, it is treated with medicated eye drops that lower eye pressure.  Other options include in-office laser surgery which can be effective in helping drain fluid from the eye, or surgery performed in an operating room which creates a new drainage channel for fluid to exit the eye.

The earlier glaucoma is diagnosed, the more effective treatment options are available.  Schedule your appointment today at Family Vision Development Center by calling 620-962-2020.

Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.  We are dedicated to keeping our patients comfortable and well-informed and we will explain every exam and procedure and answer all of your questions.  We accept both scheduled and emergency appointments, and offer convenient financing and insurance options to ensure that high-quality vision care is available and affordable to all of our patients.