Transitions Lenses Eyeglasses Eye Care Doctors, Prescription Eye Exam

▶ What can I expect when getting glasses
- Do you take insurance? What’s covered?
  Northridge Eye Care accepts a variety of common insurances. Call us today to determine what is covered under your insurance plan.
  
  How long is my prescription good for?
  A glasses prescription is good for 2 years and a contact lens prescription is good for 1 year.
  
  What do the numbers in my prescription mean?
  While looking at your glasses prescription, you will see letters and numbers:
  The headings OS and OD are Latin abbreviations: OS (oculus sinister) means the left eye and OD (oculus dextrus) means the right eye. Occasionally, you will see a notation for OU, which means something involving both eyes
  
  The numbers refer to the amount of vision correction you need. In general, numbers that are further away from zero indicate a stronger prescription. Additionally, a plus sign in front of the number means you are farsighted and a minus sign means you are nearsighted.
  
  For people who have astigmatism, there will be three numbers in your prescription correlating "S," "C” and “Axis":
  S refers to the "spherical" portion of the prescription, which is the degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness.
  C refers to the "cylinder" or astigmatism, and can be a negative or a positive number. The bigger this number, the more astigmatism you have.
  Axis is a number between 0 and 180 degrees and reveals where your astigmatism is on your eye.
  
  How often should I get new glasses?
  You should visit your eye doctor at least once every year, unless otherwise instructed by your eye care provider. During your visit, you can determine if you should change your eyeglasses, particularly if you feel that your existing eyeglasses are no longer supporting your needs, lifestyle or taste.
  
  What are bifocals?
  Bifocals are a type of eye glasses lens that allows the wearer to see clearly both at distance and near. If you are over 40 or have any difficulty performing close-up tasks (such as reading or working on the computer), ask us whether bifocals or progressive lenses could be right for you.
  
  Can I get sunglasses with my insurance?
  Sunglasses are important to maintaining your eye health. They block exposure to UV light, which can contribute to the development of eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Many patients do not realize that they can get sunglasses covered under their insurance. Call us today to see if this may be an option for you.

▶ What should I know about contact lenses
- What’s involved in an eye exam?
  First, your eye doctor will examine your eyes to determine if you can wear contact lenses. Then, your prescription and the curvature of your eye will be measured and the doctor will discuss any special needs you may have. Finally, the doctor will determine the type of contact lenses that best fit your eyes and provide you with the most accurate vision while ensuring that your eyes remain healthy with the lenses.
  
  What’s involved in a contact lens fitting?
  A contact lens fitting is a practice session for you to try on your new lenses and learn how to insert and remove them. The doctor will also look at the lenses on your eyes to determine if any changes need to be made. If the lenses fit well and you are seeing well with them, a checkup exam will be scheduled 1 week after the fitting session.
  
  Why important to have an annual eye exam?
  Seeing 20/20 isn’t the only reason for a contact lens exam. Since the eye is a sensitive organ, it is susceptible to irritations that may be caused by wearing contact lenses. It is vital to your eye health to make sure that your contact lenses fit properly and are allowing enough oxygen to reach your eyes. During the annual contact lens exam, your eye care professional will evaluate the condition of the lenses and determine if any changes are needed.
  
  How long is my prescription good for?
  A contact lens prescription is good for 1 year.

▶ Why should I make an appointment with an eye doctor if I see fine?
- Regular eye exams are crucial for detecting diseases such as diabetes, glaucoma, and other conditions in their early stages when they are more easily managed or treated. Many conditions can be identified through a thorough eye exam.
  
  Additionally, visiting an eye doctor for eyeglasses or contacts ensures you receive lenses precisely measured for your eyes. This can help reduce headaches and eye fatigue, ultimately improving both your vision and overall well-being.

▶ Should I see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?
- Both optometrists and ophthalmologists can examine, diagnose, treat, and manage eye diseases. The primary difference is that ophthalmologists are medical specialists who perform surgery. At Northridge Eye Care, we are proud to have ophthalmologists, Dr. Brian Haugen and Dr. Daniel King and our optometrist Dr. Stacy Cullum available to serve you.

▶ What should I know about cataract surgery?
- Cataract surgery is a common and effective procedure to restore clear vision by removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one. At Northridge Eye Care, we have our own state-of-the-art surgical suite, allowing us to provide comprehensive care in one convenient location. Our ophthalmologist, Dr. Brian Haugen, specializes in cataract surgery, ensuring that you receive the highest standard of care. If you are experiencing symptoms of cataracts, such as blurred vision or difficulty with bright lights. Schedule an appointment to discuss your options.

▶ Light Adjustable Lens Surgery
- We are also excited to offer Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) surgery, a cutting-edge procedure that allows patients to customize their vision after cataract surgery. This advanced technology enables fine-tuning of vision correction, providing unparalleled precision and satisfaction. Dr. Haugen is highly experienced in performing LAL surgery, ensuring you achieve optimal visual outcomes.

▶ Will I need to be dilated during my exam?
- Dilation is an important part of routine eye exams, retinal checks, and cataract evaluations. If you are under the age of 30 and meet the necessary criteria, our doctors may recommend dilation every other year. If you have any questions before or after a dilated eye exam, please speak with your eye doctor.