Many people who wear glasses wonder if contacts are a good option for them. The optometry team at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL, has many patients who visit their practice asking this question. Regardless of the vision correction you need, contacts are likely available to help you see more clearly and conveniently. Read on to learn more about contacts and how they can benefit you!

What are the advantages of wearing contacts?

Although glasses are often considered fashionable these days, many people still don't like the way they change their appearance. Others have jobs or activities that require a lot of physical activity, and glasses get in the way. Contacts are convenient to travel with, easy to apply, and simple to care for, as rinsing them each day with a cleaning solution or using daily disposables is all that's necessary to keep them free of debris and bacteria.

Who should not wear contacts?

The good news is that most people—9 out of 10, according to the Prevent Blindness Foundation—can wear contacts as a matter of preference. There are, however, certain conditions may prevent contact use. Those who have been diagnosed with chronic dry eye (often a symptom of diabetes, thyroid conditions, or rheumatoid arthritis) will often find wearing contacts to be uncomfortable and ineffective. Additionally, if you have severe, uncontrolled allergies that include itchy, watery eyes, your contact lenses may not stay in place and may further irritate your eyes. If your job includes exposure to a lot of dirt, dust, or smoke, contacts may not be appropriate for you, as well. Your Elmhurst optometrist will discuss your options with you at your consultation.

Interested? Give us a call!

If you're ready to make the switch to contacts, contact Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL, for an appointment with one of our eye care specialists today! Our number is (630) 834-6244.

Do you need an eye examination from your Elmhurst, IL, doctor?

Skowron Eyecare in Elmhurst, IL, has long invested in state-of-the-art eye examination technology for easier and more accurate results. With these tools, the skilled staff at Skowron tests color vision, muscle imbalance, peripheral vision, depth perception, and blood pressure. Read below to learn more!

Different Types of Tests

• Refraction: Your Elmhurst doctor uses this to determine what prescription accurate glasses and/or contact lenses you need.
• Focus and Eye Movement: This helps the doctor assess focus and eye-tracking ability.
• Bio-Microscope Examination: This is a high powered magnifying lens that evaluates eye structures. It checks for corneal degeneration or injury, blepharitis (dandruff on eyelashes), blocked tear ducts, styes, dry eye evaluation, cataracts, glaucoma, pupil anomalies, macular degeneration, optic nerve health, and general retinal health.
• OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography): Your doctor splits individual layers of the optic nerve and macula.
• Zeiss Humphrey Full Threshold Perimeter: This instrument identifies and monitors glaucoma.
• Digital Retinal Photography: This high-resolution camera enables the diagnosis of eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, swollen optic nerves, macular pathologies (macular degeneration, macular hole, and macular edema) and subtle bleeding due to diabetes, high blood pressure, and/or blocked arteries.

Your doctor treats several issues, including:

• Allergies
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Glaucoma
• Prism prescriptions
• Foreign body removal
• Corneal ulcers
• Cataracts
• Macular degeneration
• Amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Pink eye
• Spots or light flashes in the eye
• Loss of vision
• Eye injuries

Other Eye Examinations:

• LASIK: Your doctor examines your eyes for LASIK treatment as not everyone is a good LASIK surgery candidate. Approximately 20 percent of individuals are not a good fit for this procedure.
   
• Contact Lenses: You need a proper eye exam to get contact lenses. There are several issues contact lenses deal with and there are several types, like soft disposables, tinted lenses, toric lenses (for astigmatism), bifocals, monovision, rigid gas permeable lenses, keratoconus fittings, and corneal transplant fittings.

If you have any questions or concerns, call Skowron Eyecare in Elmhurst, IL.

Having trouble seeing as clearly with that old pair of glasses?

Have you had your glasses for a few years? If so, you might think that you see great with them; however, your vision often changes over time. This change can be gradual enough that you might not even notice; however, if you are experiencing these top three issues then it might be time to turn to our Elmhurst, IL, optometrists for new glasses.

Headaches

Are you noticing frequent or recurring headaches? If so, this is one of the classic symptoms of visual changes. While you might not notice those small changes in your vision, your brain certainly does. As a result, it goes into overdrive, working its hardest to fix the issue.

Unfortunately, what you’re left with is a pretty annoying and nagging headache. If you are nearsighted you may experience headaches right around the brow line, while those who are farsighted often experience headaches if they’ve been staring at one thing too long (e.g. a computer screen). Dealing with regular headaches? It’s time for our Elmhurst, IL, eye doctor to check your vision.

Squinting

While enjoying a beautiful day without sunglasses may certainly leave you squinting, if you notice that you have to squint to read traffic signs or to read a menu at a restaurant then this is a telltale sign that your vision needs to be checked. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren’t aware that they are even squinting. This bad habit is a problem because squinting can actually cause long-term damage and make your vision worse since it’s putting unnecessary strain on your eyes.

Therefore, if you find yourself squinting or straining to read your computer screen or that construction sign up ahead, then it’s time to give us a call.

Tired, Fatigued Eyes

Do you feel like your eyes are constantly feeling sore or tired? Sure, a lot of people can blame sitting in front of a computer screen all day for this problem and there are certainly only reasons including allergies that can lead to this symptom; however, if your eye fatigue lasts more than a day or two then your strained eyes could be due to an old prescription that needs to be updated.

Everyone should visit their optometrist every year to check their prescription as well as the health of their eyes. If it’s time you had your eyes checked then call Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL, to schedule your next appointment.

Have you made time for a visit to the optometrist in the past year? Regular appointments not only help you maintain good vision but also identify conditions and diseases that can affect your eyesight. The optometrists at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL, offer eye examinations for the entire family.

How an eye examination can help you.

Scheduling a visit with your Elmhurst eye doctor offers these important benefits:

• You'll See Better: Have you developed a permanent squint because your vision isn't as clear as it used to be? There's no reason to live with blurry vision when your optometrist can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses that correct your vision. Vision changes aren't always obvious, but even small changes can affect your ability to see clearly. When you see your optometrist every year, they can catch subtle changes that make seeing more difficult.
• Life May Get Easier: It's easy to miss a key word when you read instructions or an email from your boss if your vision isn't as sharp as it could be. Once you start wearing your glasses or contacts, you'll realize just how much your poor vision affected your life. It's much easier to concentrate on work or homework when your vision is clear.
• You'll Feel Better: Living with poor vision doesn't just affect your ability to see. Whether you need glasses or contacts for the first time or need a change to your prescription, you may notice that your eyes hurt or burn when you read or concentrate intensely. When you can't see well, it's not unusual to experience eyestrain, headaches and fatigue. After you receive your new glasses or contact lenses, you may be surprised at how much better you feel.
• You'll Receive Prompt Diagnosis of Eye Diseases: Some eye diseases only cause symptoms when your vision has already been damaged. During your examination, your eye doctor will look for signs of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and also search for changes in the eyes caused by certain health conditions, including high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders. If any changes are detected, they will recommend treatments that will help you maintain your vision.

Protect your vision with regular eye examinations. Call the optometrists at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL Dr. Mark Skowron, Dr. Kerry John, Dr. Lavender Streiff, and Dr. Mirjana McCarthy, at (630) 834-6244 to schedule an appointment.

Your eyesight is an often-overlooked but serious part of your overall health. Though you may believe that your current glasses or contact lenses are good enough, it is important to see your eye doctor regularly to ensure that your vision has remained the same and that you are properly caring for your eyes. One of the most important things you can do to keep your eyes healthy is replacing your contact lenses after the recommended amount of time. Do you know how you can keep your eyes in top condition? Find out with Dr. Mark Skowron, Dr. Kerry John, Dr. Lavender Streiff, and Dr. Mirjana McCarthy at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL.

When should I see my eye doctor?
Most doctors recommend seeing your eye doctor every one or two years for a comprehensive eye examination. The American Optometric Association says that eye examinations should occur around six months of age, three years of age, and school age, then every two years. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you should see your eye doctor every year or every other year.

What can I expect from an eye examination?
An eye examination will begin with your doctor gathering your family, lifestyle, and medical history and asking about any issues you have had with your eyes in the past. Then, your doctor performs several evaluations, including one to check your actual vision itself and others to look for signs of issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia, glaucoma, and cataracts or muscle degeneration. They will also ensure your eyes work together and do not function individually.

How often should I replace my contact lenses? 
Since contact lenses now come in many forms, you should replace your lenses depending on their instructions. Disposable lenses are available in daily, weekly, or monthly form. This means that you should replace those lenses every day, week, or month. Reusable lenses should be replaced at least every six months.

Contact Lenses in Elmhurst, IL
Your eye doctor can help you determine if contact lenses are best for you and when you should replace them. For more information on contact lenses or when you should replace them, please contact Dr. Skowron, Dr. John, Dr. Streiff, and Dr. McCarthy at Skowron Eye Care in Elmhurst, IL. Call (630) 834-6244 to schedule your appointment with your optometrist today!