To Learn more about eye care and eye wear, just click on any of the questions below.

1. Why do I need an eye exam? [TOP]
The American Optometric Association recommends that adults between the ages of 18 and 60 have their eyes examined about every two years and annually for those over 61 years. Along with determining the proper prescription of eyeglasses or contact lenses, your optometrist will evaluate the overall health of your eyes, how well your eyes work together, and determine if other health concerns might exist. The optometrist will check for glaucoma, cataracts, and for any changes in your eyes related to diabetes and hypertension. Eye disease and disorders often occur without obvious symptoms. Early detection is essential for proper care.

2. Why can’t I read small print? [TOP]
The ability to focus on reading and objects within 16 -20 inches decreases with age. The eye’s focusing system includes a muscle that controls the tension on fibers attached to the lens inside the eye. As the muscle contracts, the shape of the lens changes. Age affects the entire system. Starting at about age 40, the ability to focus becomes reduced, and is further reduced until age 70. This is why many people require reading glasses or bifocals at about 40 years of age. The power of the reading glasses or bifocal prescription gradually increases over time.

3. Can anyone wear contact lenses? [TOP]
Virtually everyone can wear contact lenses. Today, contact lenses--both rigid and soft--fit nearly every patient and lifestyle. Even patients requiring bifocal or toric lenses can wear the new advanced lenses. However, patients with dry eye syndrome, chronic allergies, or corneal disorders may have a reduced tolerance to contact lenses. Additionally, certain medications may affect a person’s ability to wear contact lenses. Your optometrist will be happy to discuss your contact lens options with you.

4. Do my spectacle lenses have to be so thick? [TOP]
Certainly not! Today’s spectacle lenses come in a variety of materials, most of which are designed to reduce thickness and weight. Thickness, of course, is relative to your prescription, but lenses known as “hi index lenses” significantly reduce thickness and weight.

5. How much should I have to pay for quality eyeglasses? [TOP]
At Optical Expressions, we’ve built our business on our belief that you don’t have to pay a lot for a top quality pair of eyeglasses.We believe that high quality eyewear possesses these essential characteristics:1. The lenses should be distortion free, exactly what your doctor prescribed, positioned in the frame according to your facial measurements, and in the style which best satisfies your optical needs. 2. The frame should be attractive and the correct size and shape to fit your particular facial requirements. The frame should be adjusted by professionals to insure comfort. 3. The eyewear should be durable and warranted.

6. Are there bifocal contact lenses? [TOP]
Absolutely! And as recently as July 1998, Johnson & Johnson introduced the Acuvue Bifocal, a disposable bifocal contact lens. Although bifocal contact lenses have been available for quite some time, new designs are introduced regularly allowing us to fit more people than ever before.

7. Do I have to wear bifocals to read? [TOP]
Bifocals are only one of many options available to people who require additional prescription power for reading. Bifocals have two lens focal lengths--Distance (20 ft. and beyond) and Reading (18-24 inches), and there is a noticeable line differentiating these two lens areas. The modern spectacle lens alternative to traditional bifocals is Progressive Additions Lenses, or PAL’s. As the name indicates, the additional prescription power for reading becomes progressively stronger from the top of the lens to the bottom. This allows for the proper prescription power at every focal length between Distance and Reading. As a result, PAL’s provide the most natural vision of any multifocal lens--without the line associated with traditional bifocals!

8. What are cataracts? [TOP]
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. The lens can become ‘cloudy’ for many reasons. Most often, the lens becomes cloudy with age. Although many people believe that a cataract affects the front of the eye, this is not true. The lens of your eye is located inside your eyeball and can be removed when it becomes too cloudy. The lens is replaced with an implant or artificial lens that functions in much the same way as the lens that was removed. Your optometrist will thoroughly check your eyes for cataracts during your eye exam.

9. What is glaucoma? [TOP]
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States, and the most common cause of blindness among African-Americans. More than three million people have glaucoma, but half do not realize it because there are often no warning symptoms.  In most cases, there are no symptoms during the early stages of the disease, however, as glaucoma progresses, it slowly damages the optic nerve fibers of the eye and the field of vision narrows, which can create “blind spots” within the field of vision.

10. What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration? [TOP]
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older. AMD is a disease that blurs the sharp, central vision you need for straight-ahead activities such as reading, sewing, and driving. AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. AMD occurs in both a wet and dry form of the condition. Slow occurring or dry AMD affects 90 percent of those with the condition. Fast occurring or wet AMD affects 10 percent of AMD cases. Research suggests that antioxidant vitamins, such as beta-carotene (vitamin A) and vitamins C and E, may protect the macula from damage.

11. What are the safest lenses I can wear? [TOP]
Polycarbonate lenses are the safest lenses you can wear. Polycarbonate is approximately 10 times more impact resistant than standard plastic lenses. We recommend Polycarbonate lenses for all sports activities and for all children’s eyewear.

12. Is my insurance plan accepted? [TOP]
Optical Expressions is a participating provider for many national health care organizations, HMO’s, and various vision care programs. Please contact your employer or insurance carrier to find out your specific eye care benefit plan. Although we do not participate with all eye care plans, our “Vision Match” prices are often comparable to the discounts available through your benefit plan.

	St. Johnsbury: 802-748-3536 • Berlin: 802-223-2090 OPEN: Monday - Friday 8:30am to 7:00pm • Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm