Find out if you can actually skip the eye exam when you want to get new glasses.

So, you’ve been considering new glasses, huh? With the start of the New Year many people are figuring out different ways to change their appearance and perhaps you want to give your glasses a makeover. This is where our Elmhurst, IL, optometrists can help. Of course, many people wonder if they actually need to get an eye exam every time they want to swap out their frames. Here’s the real answer…

One important questions to ask yourself is, “Do you notice any changes to your vision?”

If you said “yes” then you are going to need to undergo an eye exam before getting new glasses. It’s important that everyone, no matter how healthy they are, gets an eye exam once a year to make sure that if there are any issues that our Elmhurst, IL, eye doctors are able to catch them before they cause serious or permanent damage to your eyes.

During your exam, we will perform a series of tests to check your vision, as well as talk to you about your current health and lifestyle to determine which kinds of glasses are best suited to your day-to-day needs.

However, we also know that there are a lot of people out there that stubbornly hang on to their glasses or don’t change them regularly. Perhaps it’s because they don’t feel like scheduling an appointment. Perhaps it’s because glasses can be rather expensive. Whatever the excuse might be, if you haven’t gotten an eye exam in the past year, then you are well overdue.

You might not even notice it, but if you are wearing old glasses regularly this could be putting unnecessary strain on your eyes, which can lead to eye discomfort, dry eyes, fatigued eyes and other issues. Why deal with these issues when a simple exam can get you the fresh new prescription you need to see more clearly?

When you come in for your eye exam it’s important to let us know that you are interested in replacing your old glasses. Even if you get reading glasses over-the-counter at your local drugstore, you should still be coming in for regular exams to make sure nothing has changed with your prescription.

Plus, eyewear is constantly changing, which means the unique features and offerings that weren’t even possible a year or two ago are now possible. Anything that can improve the way you see is a major benefit for those who wear glasses (or even contact lenses).

Whether you are dealing with eye problems or you just want to schedule your annual eye exam, turn to the specialists at Skowron Eye Care to provide you with the gentle and comprehensive eye care you’ve been looking for.

According to the Vision Council of America, about 75% of adults actively use some kind of vision correction. This staggering number means that there are many individuals who need to care for contact lenses. Being familiar with the best way to care for your contact lenses can help you keep your eyes healthy and functioning well for years to come. Learn more about contact lens maintenance and what makes it important with Dr. Mark Skowron, Dr. Kerry John, Dr. Lavender Streiff, and Dr. Neelam Patadia at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL.

How should I care for my contact lenses? 
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, caring for your contact lenses and their case correctly can help avoid eye infection. Always wash your hands with soap and water before taking out or putting in your contact lenses. Never rinse or store your contact lenses in normal water, only contact lens solution. Always place your lenses into fresh solution in a clean case. Rinse the case out with contact solution instead of plain water and allow the case to air dry. Wear your lenses according to the schedule set out by your eye doctor.

Do I need to replace my contact lens case? 
You should replace your contact lens case at least once every three months. Always clean your case every day with contact solution and ensure that it air dries between uses. Use fresh solution daily in which to store your contacts. Avoid storing your lenses for an extended amount of time and always throw the case and contacts away after 30 days without disinfecting them. Never use a cracked, dirty, or broken case.

Eye Examinations in Elmhurst, IL 
Caring for your eyes themselves is just as important as caring for your contacts and their case. Always remove your contact lenses immediately if you experience discomfort. If you have redness, blurry vision, swelling, or other painful symptoms, contact your optometrist right away. See your eye doctor for regular eye examinations at least once a year.

For more information on caring for your contact lenses, please contact Dr. Skowron, Dr. John, Dr. Steriff, and Dr. Patadia at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL. Call (630) 834-6244 to schedule your appointment with your optometrist today!

Three of the most common refractive eye disorders are nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatisms. There are many ways to correct these eye problems, however, and Lasik from the eye doctors at Skowron Eye Care is one of them. Your Elmhurst, Illinois eye doctor can examine each patient to determine whether or not they are a candidate for Lasik surgery.

About Lasik

Lasik is an outpatient procedure that takes less than 20 minutes to perform with no pain. During the surgery, an Elmhurst, Illinois eye doctor creates a corneal flap that is lifted with a blade or a laser to reveal the inner part of the cornea. The use of the laser is much safer. This flap is repositioned to correct these eye issues. Because the surface layer is preserved, there is less discomfort after Lasik surgery.

Some benefits of Lasik are that it is a quick and painless procedure. There also is less chance of infection. Because of the simple outpatient aspects, recovery is quick at just one to two days. Patients will receive clear vision without the need for any corrective lenses in a matter of days. There is a reduced chance of error due to the use of laser technology. With the use of a laser, a thinner and more precise flap is made and fewer complications are experienced.

Patients over 21 with healthy eyes with no retina problems, any eye disease or corneal scars are generally great candidates for Lasik. If your corneas are thick enough, you have adequate tears and your vision is stable, Lasik is for you. Poor candidates for Lasik include those with thin corneas, those with very dry eyes or individuals with constantly changing eye prescriptions.

To learn more about what our Elmhurst, Illinois eye doctor can do for you, call 630-834-6244 today. We are ready and willing to evaluate any patient to determine their candidacy for this procedure.

Good vision is important for everything from driving to cooking to working. If there's a problem that’s impeding or limiting your ability to see, you should see an optometrist for assistance as soon as possible. However, unfortunately, some people wait until the issue worsens before seeking help. Here are a few reasons why you should see an eye doctor at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL for an exam.

Your Vision Has Been Noticeably Declining
Noticing that it’s more difficult for you to see things up close or at a distance is a potential sign of a problem that should be examined by an eye doctor. One simple way to tell that your vision is declining is that you begin to squint when you’re reading, watching television, or looking at a computer screen.

Your Prescription Glasses or Contacts Aren’t Working Anymore
Over time, you may need a different prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. If you’ve noticed that your prescription lenses aren’t working as well as they used to, it may be time for a checkup and replacement.

You’re Due for a Work-Related Exam or Driver’s Test
If your job requires you to take regular vision exams and you’re due for one soon, get ahead of things by scheduling an appointment with an eye doctor at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst today. An early vision exam will help you prepare in case there are issues and get any treatments required to ensure that you pass.

You’re Over 40
Patients who are over the age of 40 should go in for a general vision check. This is the age when some people start to experience eye problems like presbyopia, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

It's Been Awhile Since You've Had an Eye Check-Up
One good reason to see an eye doctor is that you haven't been in for a check-u in a long time. If you’ve had vision issues in the past, you should see your optometrist once a year. Schedule an appointment at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL by calling (630) 834-6244 today.

Trying to figure out what contacts will help your eyesight? We have the answers you’ve been looking for.

According to Vision Impact Institute, about every 3 out of 4 people need some kind of vision correction, whether it’s wearing glasses or contacts. If you’ve wanted to take the plunge and start getting contacts, it can often feel like there are so many options that you aren’t sure which one is right for you. Let our Elmhurst, IL, optometrists provide the information you need to make an easier, more informed decision about the contact lenses that are right for you.

Soft Disposable Contacts

These contacts are made to completely fit over the cornea and may even be large enough to cover some of the whites of the eyes, as well. These contacts have a shelf life, ranging from a single day to a month.

Dailies

With these contacts, you pop them in when you get up in the morning and then toss them out before bedtime. These contacts can be easily tolerated for up to 18 hours. This can be a great option for someone who doesn’t like the idea of needing to clean and disinfect extended wear contacts and just wants to be able to remove their contacts, throw them away and replace them with fresh, new ones.

Extended Wear

These contacts can often be worn both during the day and at night while you sleep. There is a lot of convenience when it comes to getting these contacts but it’s important that you talk to our Elmhurst eye doctor about safe practices when it comes to extended wear lenses. You may not want to sleep in them most nights so that you can give your eyes the oxygen they need to breathe. You’ll also want to be meticulous about cleaning them to prevent infection.

Toric

If you have been diagnosed with astigmatism, this condition may need to be corrected by toric lenses. These lenses are able to change the deviated angle of the cornea to prevent warped vision.

Bifocal

If you need help seeing both close up and far away, then we may recommend bifocal contacts to help fix both fields of vision at the same time.

Rigid Gas Permeable Lenses

These contacts are made from hard materials and are a bit smaller than soft contacts (only covering a portion of the cornea). Some RGP lenses use both hard and soft materials to make the contacts easier and more comfortable to wear.

Hard Lenses

These contacts are less common or popular as they once were; however, they haven’t gone out of style completely. In fact, for some vision issues, hard lenses can actually provide clearer vision than soft contacts. Plus, these contacts allow more oxygen to get to the eyes, making them a healthier option than soft lenses.

Color Contacts

If you’ve always wanted to have a beautiful pair of baby blues then color contacts may be the way to enhance and change the color of your eyes. There are so many color contact options out there that can naturally and realistically alter your eye color when you wear them.

Are you ready to get contact lenses? If so, then it’s time to schedule a consultation with our eye care specialist at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL. Call our office today to let us know that you want to get fitted for contacts.