Optometry FAQs in Palo Alto CA

We recommend patients obtain a comprehensive and preventative eye exam every year to monitor for any subtle changes over time. This may include small changes in your prescription, as well as changes in your eye health. Early detection can be the key to preventing any later onset eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other various retinal diseases that you may not physically feel.

Although changes in the quality of your vision such as symptoms of blurriness may be a clue that your prescription may need updating, other symptoms such as squinting, headaches, eye/head fatigue, double vision, halos/glare, night time vision difficulties, all may be a clue that it may be time to visit your eye doctor!

Yes! Contact lenses prescribed by an eye care provider are FDA approved to be worn as a medical device. Therefore, with proper handling and use of contact lenses, the risk of developing possible eye infections are relatively low. (We do not recommend sleeping in your contact lenses. Please consult your optometrist, as sleeping in them is only indicated on a case by case basis).

Due to the technological, fast paced world that we live in, our eyes can be come dry, red, and irritated due to the overuse of screens (whether it be a cell phone, tablet, TV, or computer). We oftentimes forget to blink our eyes, hydrate our bodies, and take breaks while we are working. Most of us wake up to our phones, use our smart devices during the work day, and then go home to watch something on another screen. There are ways to help minimize the strain your eyes feel through preventative measures as well as treating their symptoms!

We recommend finding a pair of sunglasses that are both polarized and have UV protection. These glasses can be customized with your prescription or can be worn without a prescription.

A comprehensive annual eye exam includes not only measuring your prescription through a refraction, but also assessing the internal ocular health of your eyes. Therefore, eye drops may be utilized in order to open (or dilate) the pupil. Our office has the capability to look inside of your eye to view the status of your retina with a retinal camera. (However, please note, sometimes eye drops may still be used on a case by case basis).

Yes, this may be due to dryness in the morning upon waking, and/or the need for your eyes of refocus (with the aid of your glasses or the strength of your own eye muscles!). In some cases, an eye infection may be the cause of blurred vision in the morning upon waking. Come in to see us if you ever have any questions or concerns!

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us during normal business hours. Dr. Cindy is able to treat the majority of emergency eye infections in the office. We also co-manage with several physicians in the area, should you need further care.

An optometrist examines, diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in an individual's overall health and well-being by appropriately detecting systemic diseases. Doctors of optometry provide more than two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States. For more info, please visit aoa.org.

An Ophthalmologist is an eye care provider who focuses on the surgical needs of the patient - from cataract removal, to retinal procedures, glaucoma surgery, and other various procedures.

Digital eye strain is a fairly new term caused by the smart devices that we use in our modern time. Some symptoms include intermittent blurry vision, trouble focusing from a near distance to far distance (or vice versa), redness itching, dryness, watery eyes, headaches/tension, eye fatigue, double vision, and more. You can reduce these symptoms by taking breaks (20/20/20 rule) and finding a proper ergonomic set up within your workspace.

Common symptoms can start as subtle as slight halos and glare at night time while driving, to difficulty with color and contrast. These symptoms can start as early as age 50 with patients experiencing a wide range of symptoms.

Possibly, yes! Come in today for a consultation and we will be able to take a look and answer any questions you have. We are able to co-manage with a few trusted LASIK surgeons as well!

Green, leafy, vegetables packed with antioxidants zeaxanthin and lutein are key to good ocular health. Brightly colored fruits and veggies such as berries, peppers, and yes, carrots are a delicious way to get your antioxidants in. Foods rich in Omega 3’s such as eggs and avocados can help with dry eye as well.

Annual comprehensive eye exams will help determine any possible development of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a painless eye disease that causes a decrease in your peripheral vision. Left undetected and untreated, glaucoma can cause patients to have tunnel vision. In addition, taking care of your systemic health (managing blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, etc) can decrease the risk of developing glaucoma as well.

Oftentimes, signs of flashes of light or floaters warrant a trip to your eye care provider! These symptoms may indicate a vitreous detachment, vitreous degeneration, or even a retinal detachment.

(Oftentimes, these conditions cause no pain!)

Attempt to take off your glasses with both hands, and store them in a case. Use a proper eye glass cleaner and lint free cloth to clean them. We offer eye glass adjustments anytime you need. Storing contact lenses in the proper solution is key to fighting any potential infection from your contact lenses. Avoid sleeping in your lens at all costs to avoid possible sight threatening infections. Do not place your lenses in your mouth to clean them!

We currently accept Eye Med for your vision exam.

Some causes may include dry eye or an eye infection.

The cause is typically systemic/ocular fatigue/stress! It typically goes away after a few seconds or minutes and is not a cause for concern. However, if these symptoms accompany other symptoms such as facial droop, numbness, tingling, please consult your provider immediately.

Your eyes and visual system will not be able to perform at its optimal level without the proper tools (corrective lenses). Therefore, you may experience sub optimal vision and discomfort without your glasses.

Nearsightedness is the ability to see and read up close. Farsightedness is the opposite - the ability to see and read far away.

Yes. A comprehensive eye exam tests vision but also monitors eye health. There are some conditions that develop in childhood that are sometimes not detectable except with an eye exam, such as strabismus, “lazy eye," hyperopia, astigmatism, and binocular vision problems. Some learning problems stem from vision difficulties, because 80% of learning occurs through vision. It is estimated that one in four children has an undetectable vision problem that can affect confidence, behavior, and school performance.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), children should have their first exam around six months of age. By this age, babies should be able to focus, see color and have depth perception. Optometrists make sure their eyes are developing normally, checking for signs of near or farsightedness, lazy eye, crossed eyes or severe cases such as cancer.

AOA doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors, on the frontline of eye health and vision care, who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in an individual's overall health and well-being by appropriately detecting systemic diseases. Doctors of optometry provide more than two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States. For more info, please visit aoa.org.