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Why Are Dilated Eye Exams So Important?

1 Hour EyeDocs Dilated Eye Exam near you in Montrose, Colorado

Having your eyes dilated during an eye exam may seem like a nuisance. But when you consider the benefits of a dilated eye exam, the temporary blurred vision and sensitivity to light that typically follow are definitely worth it.

What Are Dilated Eye Exams?

At some point during a comprehensive eye exam, your optometrist will shine a bright light into your eyes to examine the back of your eye, called the retina. The problem is that bright light causes the size of the pupil’s opening to shrink, which makes it hard for the optometrist to see a large portion of the retina.

That’s why eye doctors apply special eye drops in each eye to keep the pupils open. A dilated pupil allows for a much more accurate assessment of your eye’s structures, including the focusing lens, blood vessels and tissues at the back of the eye called the retina, as well as the optic nerve and macula.

Dilating the eyes makes it easier for your optometrist to detect the following conditions and diseases:

It’s important to note that many of these conditions can develop without noticeable symptoms, until they cause vision loss at which point treatment may be more challenging, making dilated eye exams all the more crucial.

The Dilation Process

First, your eye doctor will apply eye drops to each eye to trigger dilation of the pupil. Your eyes should be fully dilated about 10-20 minutes later.

Your eyes will remain dilated for 4-6 hours, and during this time you may be sensitive to light. That’s because the larger pupil allows more light than usual to enter the eye. Many patients find it more comfortable to wear sunglasses until their eyes return to normal.

Reading and using a computer may be difficult with dilated eyes, and your vision may be blurred. Some patients report feeling a tightening sensation in their eyelids, or headaches.

Dilated eye exams are a crucial part of keeping your eyes healthy. To schedule your comprehensive eye exam, call our optometry practice today!

1 Hour EyeDocs, your Montrose eye doctor for eye exams and eye care

Alternatively, book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

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At what age should one have a dilated eye exam?

You should have your dilated eye exam no matter your age. Most eye doctors will dilate a new patient at their first exam regardless of age to get a baseline of their retinal health.

Will I be able to return to work after a dilated eye exam?

Everyone reacts differently, so it’s hard to tell. If your job requires you to focus on small print or detail, it may be challenging. Typing and writing may also be difficult with dilated pupils. To be on the safe side, book your appointment at the end of your work day, clear your schedule after your eye exam and only plan to do activities which aren’t visually demanding.

Do I Need Eye Exams?

Do you wait until you notice a problem before visiting your eye doctor for an eye exam? Or do you schedule routine check-ups?

Many people are not aware of how important it is to have regular eye exams. In fact, it is the most dependable way to preserve your long-lasting eye health and quality vision.

Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you have a complaint about your vision before reserving your comprehensive eye exam. Book an appointment today with Dr. Buck Buchanan, your expert optometrist in Montrose,Colorado.

Local Contact lens supplier near you in Montrose, Colorado

Are Eye Exams important ?

Clear and healthy vision plays a primary role in every part of your life, which is why preventive eye care is so critical. What you may not know is that many common eye diseases and vision conditions do not cause symptoms at the beginning. It is only when these disorders, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, progress to a later stage that problems appear. Unfortunately, that is also when vision damage has already occurred and treatment has a less positive prognosis. In contrast, when eye disease is caught early by an eye exam, your eye doctor can treat it immediately – before there is any irreversible vision loss.

Along with inspecting for eye disease, Dr. Buck Buchanan will also check your vision during an eye exam in our La Jolla office. Vision does not generally stay the same throughout all stages of life. We will verify that your current vision prescription is accurate to ensure that you receive the most appropriate vision correction, including eyeglasses, bifocal/multifocal, and contact lenses.

1HourEyeDocs Eye Clinic and Eye Exams in Montrose, Colorado

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Our Montrose eye doctor has prepared the following answers to your questions about eye disease.

What to Expect During Your Eye Exam

We treat every patient who enters our Montrose, Colorado, eye care center as a unique individual. That means you will benefit from the specific tests and procedures you need, depending upon your age, health condition, visual symptoms, and the judgment of our eye doctor.

In general, a complete eye exam begins with taking your case history and asking questions about your lifestyle requirements. We will then assess visual acuity, binocularity, color vision, peripheral vision, and ocular health. Your eye doctor may also use tonometry (puff test or blue light) to measure intraocular pressure, which is a screening procedure for glaucoma. Depending upon the results of all of these tests, we may perform additional procedures using the latest technology, such as digital retinal imaging and OCT scans.

Local Eye Exams in Montrose, Colorado

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What to Expect During a Pediatric Eye Exam

Children are not simply little adults. That means they have different visual needs and risks than adults. As they grow, they may develop vision problems that could compromise learning and development. Only a comprehensive pediatric eye exam can detect these conditions. That’s why the American Optometric Association advises kids should have their eyes examined at six months old, at three years old (unless diagnosed with a vision condition that requires an earlier examination), and again before starting elementary school (age 5-6). If no vision correction or therapy is needed, follow-up eye exams should be scheduled every one to two years. Our eye doctor is highly qualified and experienced at performing specialized eye exams for kids in the Montrose area.

During your child’s eye exam in our 1HourEyeDocs practice, we will evaluate the following functional vision skills:

  • Visual acuity
  • Eye teaming/Binocularity
  • Focusing ability/Accommodation
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Visual perception skills

Ocular health is the foundation for clear vision, and our optometrist will also examine the inner eye tissues, as well the tissues around the eye for any abnormalities. If necessary, we may use dilating eye drops to obtain a sharper view.

Find an eye exam near you!

Now that you are aware of all the reasons to have regular eye exams and what to expect during your appointment, we hope you’ll contact us to schedule a visit to our welcoming Montrose optometry practice!

Call 1HourEyeDocs on 888-536-8383 to schedule an eye exam with our Montrose optometrist. Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

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Why is it better to buy your glasses from an optometrist and not online?

Online shopping can be simple. All you need to do is browse the thumbnail pics, select a few pairs of eyeglasses that look appealing, focus in on the one that looks best, enter your vision prescription and click to buy. So what’s the problem?

See the benefits of glasses from our Montrose, Colorado, eye center!

See the benefits of glasses from our Montrose, Colorado, eye center!

Actually, there are quite a few hidden risks with shopping for glasses online – risks that you don’t need to take if you shop from a local vision store near me. Read on for a clear view of what you have to gain by buying glasses in person from a nearby eye center.

Local Contact lens supplier near you in Montrose, Colorado

See the benefits of glasses from our Montrose, Colorado, eye center!

Online shopping can be simple. All you need to do is browse the thumbnail pics, select a few pairs of eyeglasses that look appealing, focus in on the one that looks best, enter your vision prescription and click to buy. So what’s the problem?

Actually, there are quite a few hidden risks with shopping for glasses online – risks that you don’t need to take if you shop from a local vision store near me. Read on for a clear view of what you have to gain by buying glasses in person from a nearby eye center.

1HourEyeDocs Eye Clinic and glasses online in Montrose, Colorado

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Our Montrose eye doctor has prepared the following answers to your questions about eye disease.

Glasses are not one-size-fits-all

When you select a pair of frames online, you are usually able to upload an image of yourself in order to “try on” different pairs. While this may give you a basic idea of how the glasses look on your face, it will not give you a feel for the fit. Eyeglasses must rest snugly on your nose, fit without pinching behind your ears, and feel comfy without being too loose.

The only way to be sure of how your glasses feel is to put them on in real life and have a qualified optometrist assess the fit and perform an eye check with them on. Keep in mind also that without the right fit for your frames, your vision will also suffer.

Local glasses online in Montrose, Colorado

Read what our patients have to say on Google Reviews

Your eye center doesn’t compromise on quality

Your optometrist is an eye care professional who doesn’t stock the optical collection with just any nice-looking frames. When you visit your vision center near me, every pair of glasses is handpicked to meet high standards of quality and the latest trending styles. You won’t find this attention to quality when it comes to online shopping for glasses. In fact, recent studies conducted by the American Optometric Association (AOA) demonstrated that about half of all glasses ordered online did not satisfy safety standards for eye protection or they were crafted with an inaccurate vision prescription. In general, glasses bought from a website were made from inferior materials, had a weaker construction, and the lenses didn’t give as sharp vision. Many people complained of fuzzy vision and headaches.

Eye checks are essential for choosing eyeglasses

The shape of your glasses really does make a difference when it comes to vision. And the only way to confirm that your glasses will give you crisp sight is by having your optometrist perform a thorough eye check. The shape of your frames can enhance or compromise your ability to see clearly, depending upon your prescription. If you need bifocals or multifocal, the lenses typically require a minimum size to accommodate the whole prescription. Another important consideration is to make sure that your glasses lenses are set in your frames with the right PD (pupil distance). If the PD is wrong, the optics won’t match up with your eyes – causing blurry vision. Most of the time, vision prescriptions do not include PD, but when you purchase eyeglasses from your eye center near me, this is a part of an eye check by our optometrist.

Glasses must match your life too

Color, shape, personal sense of fashion… these are all key considerations that go into choosing your eyeglasses. However, they don’t compose the full picture of what you need! Your activities, hobbies, and daily routine are also significant. Depending on what you do each day, our optometrist will recommend various lens coatings and treatments. There is blue light protection for computer users, photochromic lenses for people who move back and forth between indoors and outdoors all the time, and frames built from durable plastics or ultra-lightweight metals. Do you really know which one is best for you, or will you just make a guess when you buy online? When you buy glasses from our eye center, we’ll explain the pros and cons of each type – getting rid of any guesswork.

Online stores care about sales. Your optometrist cares about you.

When you buy glasses from a website, there’s no personalized assistance that comes close to the caring, hands-on service you’ll receive from our Montrose, Colorado, vision center. Your optometrist cares about your vision and eye health, and not just about making another sale.

Call 1HourEyeDocs on 888-536-8383 to schedule an eye exam with our Montrose optometrist. Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

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10 Eye Care Tips for Healthy Vision

Eye Clinic near you in Montrose, Colorado

Do you eat healthily and work out to keep your body in shape? Did you know that there are specific ways to keep your eyes strong too? You need your eyes for just about everything you do, and vision changes – such as painful vision or seeing blurry – can be extremely frightening. At our eye care center in Montrose, we make it our mission to help you see clearly and comfortably for as many years as possible.

Local Contact lens supplier near you in Montrose, Colorado

To ensure that you are armed with all the info you need for powerful peepers, we outlined the following tips:

  1. Eat Well for Your Eyes Specific nutrients are particularly beneficial for healthy eyesight, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zinc. The good news is that it’s not too hard to find foods rich in these nutrients. Snack on some berries and nuts, slice the avocado into your sandwich, choose brown rice and quinoa instead of white grains, make a fresh salad with kale and chard, drizzle flaxseed oil as a dressing, steam some broccoli, and eat an orange daily. Fish is a great source of eye-healthy omega-3s, including salmon, mackerel, tuna, and super-food sardines.
  2. Book Regular Eye Exams Don’t wait until you have a problem before scheduling an eye exam in Montrose. Many eye problems don’t have symptoms at the beginning. By the time you notice them, they will have advanced to a more serious stage. Eye diseases such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration can stay silent for a long time. However, when they are detected early – treatment is much more effective. Also, if you wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, an eye exam will confirm that you still have sharp vision.
  3. No Smoking Smoking is linked to a very long list of health problems, as you probably know. Yet, you may not know that eye disease is also on that list. Smoking can cause an increased risk for cataracts, optic nerve damage and macular degeneration – all of which can lead to blindness.
  4. Blink and Blink Again All screens, be it your computer, TV, smartphone or tablet, encourage us to stare at one spot for hours. In fact, a recent study found that people in the US look at screens for more than 7 sevens per day, on average! How does this hurt your eyes? The more time you spend gazing at one spot, the higher your chances of digital eye strain and fatigue. Our Boca Raton and Montrose eye doctor remind you to blink frequently, and to follow the 20-20-20 rule: look up and into the distance 20 feet away, for about 20 seconds, every 20 minutes.
  5. Block Your Eyes from the Sun Just like you slather on sunscreen to protect your skin, remember to put on a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. The sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays have a cumulative effect and can raise your chances of eye disease in the future. Wearing shades today can positively impact your eye health years later. Make sure that you purchase sunglasses that block a minimum of 99% of the rays.
  6. Take Care of Your Contacts If you wear contact lenses, your risk of eye health complications increases considerably. Not adhering to the disinfecting routine and/or wearing schedule that your eye doctor in Montrose advises can introduce dangerous debris and bacteria into your eyes. This can lead easily to an eye infection. If you wear disposables (dailies or weekly), toss them out when you’re supposed to.
  7. Stay a Healthy Weight & Stay in Motion Exercise can help to prevent and control many health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Also, if you are overweight or obese, you are at a higher risk of developing these diseases, which put you at an increased chance of getting glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.
  8. Know Your Family Eye History A number of eye diseases are inherited, so it’s a good idea to find out if any family members had them. This information will help our eye doctor in Boca Raton and Montrose to personalize your eye care.
  9. Put on Protective Eyewear Do you play sports that have sticks or racquets, such as lacrosse, ice hockey, and racquetball? All activities with swinging sticks can lead easily to eye damage. Whizzing balls are another hazard. Check out the selection of protective eyewear, such as safety glasses and sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses, in our fully stocked center for eye care in Montrose. This advice also rings true for people who work with airborne materials or hazardous substances.
  10. Sip a Fresh Brew Caffeine appears to work as more than a pick-me-up in the middle of a long day. According to medical experts, drinking two servings of caffeinated drinks each day may offer protection against dry eye syndrome. Coffee, tea, or soda, the choice is yours!

Value your vision! Healthy eyes are an important part of a healthy body, and they play a major role in your quality of life. For more guidance on how to keep your eyes healthy, reserve an appointment and eye exam in our Montrose practice.

1HourEyeDocs Eye Clinic and Eye Clinic in Montrose, Colorado

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Our Montrose eye doctor has prepared the following answers to your questions about eye disease.

Book Regular Eye Exams with our 1HourEyeDocs Eye Doctor!

Local Eye Clinic in Montrose, Colorado

Read what our patients have to say on Google Reviews

Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eyes can lead to many uncomfortable or painful symptoms that can disturb your daily tasks. For example, driving, reading, and using a computer may become a challenge due to irritated, dry eyes. Because the cause of dry eye syndrome is highly individual, it is essential to undergo a thorough 1HourEyeDocs eye exam to identify the cause. Once we have the results of your exam, our optometrist will design the most helpful dry eye treatment. Your dry eye therapy may include lid wipes, artificial tears eye drops, heat compresses and Bruder masks, or Restasis eye drops.

Myopia Correction & Myopia Control

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, can be corrected efficiently with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Our 1HourEyeDocs eye care specialist will perform detailed vision testing to determine your precise prescription, so you enjoy the clearest eyesight possible! For children with high myopia that worsens continuously, our eye doctor may recommend various methods of myopia control, such as soft multifocal contacts, Zeiss Myokids lenses, MiSight contact lenses from Coopervision, and vision therapy.

Specialty Contacts: Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

Our 1HourEyeDocs eye doctor is competent in fitting contacts for even the most complex, hard-to-fit vision conditions, such as keratoconus. If you have this corneal disorder, Dr. Buck Buchanan will map your cornea using the latest technology – so you benefit from the comfort of scleral lenses with a precise fit. Nowadays, almost everyone can wear contacts, and we are experienced in performing contact lenses fittings and eye exams in our 1HourEyeDocs office.

LASIK Co-Management

Do you want crystal-clear vision without the nuisance of eyeglasses or contacts? Ask us about our convenient co-management services for LASIK surgery and other refractive procedures. We offer complete preoperative and postoperative care in the comfort of our convenient center for eye care in 1HourEyeDocs. You will receive top-notch, personalized attention from the eye doctor who knows you best.

Our eye doctor looks forward to seeing you! Call to book an eye exam or stop in anytime to find the perfect pair of high-quality, designer frames. We are the leading eye care center near you in Montrose, Colorado.

Call 1HourEyeDocs on 888-536-8383 to schedule an eye exam with our Montrose optometrist. Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

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How do I find a good eye doctor?

When it comes to picking the right eye doctor in Montrose, Colorado, you need someone who does much more than sell you eyeglasses and contact lenses.

You need a highly qualified and compassionate eye care specialist who will examine, monitor, manage, and treat both your ocular health and vision. This is the only reliable way to optimize the benefits of quality sight.

Local Contact lens supplier near you in Montrose, Colorado

To help you make an informed decision and choose the right eye doctor in Montrose, Colorado, here are some points to consider:

  1. Your Vision and Eye Care Needs Do you require basic care, such as vision testing, eyeglasses, and contact lenses? Or do you need specialized medical eye care for ocular disease? It is important to be aware of your general needs before picking your Montrose eye doctor. At Eyes on Montrose, our office is equipped with a range of modern technologies to satisfy all your visual requirements, and our eye doctors specialize in personalized care.
  2. Eye Care Credentials Every optometry practice should display diplomas, licenses, and training credentials prominently in their clinic. Take a moment to read these documents to verify that your eye doctor is indeed qualified to treat your particular condition.
  3. Accessibility and Availability Convenience is just as critical as quality. Picking the right eye doctor in Montrose also involves making sure you can get the eye care you need – when you need it. Whether you need an eye exam, the latest treatment for ocular disease, or urgent care for an eye emergency, you need an eye doctor with plenty of hours and an easy-to-access location.
  4. Professional Knowledge and Reputation Your ideal Montrose eye doctor will be experienced, knowledgeable, and known to have a friendly and caring bedside manner! You will also benefit from a helpful office staff who knows how to fit you in for appointments, as well as explain your insurance policy. In addition, skilled opticians will be able to assist you in selecting the perfect eyeglasses and contact lenses for your visual needs, lifestyle, and appearance.

1HourEyeDocs Eye Clinic and Eye doctor in Montrose, Colorado

Many eye diseases can be quickly and easily diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam. If you were diagnosed with an eye disease, such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, or Dry eye, you may be overwhelmed by the diagnosis and confused about what happens next. Will you need medications or surgery – now or in the future? Our Montrose eye doctor has prepared the following answers to your questions about eye disease.

Book Regular Eye Exams with our 1HourEyeDocs Eye Doctor!

We welcome you to visit our 1HourEyeDocs eye care office for everything and anything you need for your eyes and vision! Our friendly eye doctor will treat you with a unique combination of compassionate care, first-rate medical expertise, and cutting-edge technologies. We offer comprehensive eye exams in 1HourEyeDocs for adults and children, contact lenses eye exams, management of ocular disease, emergency eye care, a stylish optical collection, co-management for LASIK, and more. Call in advance to book an appointment or stop by anytime with your current vision prescription to purchase new eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Local Eye doctor in Montrose, Colorado

Read what our patients have to say on Google Reviews

Dry Eye Treatment

Dry eyes can lead to many uncomfortable or painful symptoms that can disturb your daily tasks. For example, driving, reading, and using a computer may become a challenge due to irritated, dry eyes. Because the cause of dry eye syndrome is highly individual, it is essential to undergo a thorough 1HourEyeDocs eye exam to identify the cause. Once we have the results of your exam, our optometrist will design the most helpful dry eye treatment. Your dry eye therapy may include lid wipes, artificial tears eye drops, heat compresses and Bruder masks, or Restasis eye drops.

Myopia Correction & Myopia Control

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, can be corrected efficiently with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Our 1HourEyeDocs eye care specialist will perform detailed vision testing to determine your precise prescription, so you enjoy the clearest eyesight possible! For children with high myopia that worsens continuously, our eye doctor may recommend various methods of myopia control, such as soft multifocal contacts, Zeiss Myokids lenses, MiSight contact lenses from Coopervision, and vision therapy.

Specialty Contacts: Scleral Lenses for Keratoconus

Our 1HourEyeDocs eye doctor is competent in fitting contacts for even the most complex, hard-to-fit vision conditions, such as keratoconus. If you have this corneal disorder, Dr. Buck Buchanan will map your cornea using the latest technology – so you benefit from the comfort of scleral lenses with a precise fit. Nowadays, almost everyone can wear contacts, and we are experienced in performing contact lenses fittings and eye exams in our 1HourEyeDocs office.

LASIK Co-Management

Do you want crystal-clear vision without the nuisance of eyeglasses or contacts? Ask us about our convenient co-management services for LASIK surgery and other refractive procedures. We offer complete preoperative and postoperative care in the comfort of our convenient center for eye care in 1HourEyeDocs. You will receive top-notch, personalized attention from the eye doctor who knows you best.

Our eye doctor looks forward to seeing you! Call to book an eye exam or stop in anytime to find the perfect pair of high-quality, designer frames. We are the leading eye care center near you in Montrose, Colorado.</p Call 1HourEyeDocs on 888-536-8383 to schedule an eye exam with our Montrose optometrist. Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

FOLLOW US

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Should I have my children’s eyes checked?

1HourEyeDocs Helps Kids Reach the Top of the Class

There’s a strong association between sharp eyesight and successful classroom learning.

According to education experts, the bulk of education in school is taught with the help of visual tools. A child who cannot see well is therefore at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to absorbing and processing information. Regular Dr. Buck Buchanan, our friendly and experienced optometrist.

Using advanced diagnostic tools and a pleasant, gentle manner, Dr. Buck Buchanan will evaluate your kid’s eyes, including checking visual acuity (near and far vision), eye teaming, peripheral eyesight, eye mobility and eye-hand coordination. If you have any specific questions about your child’s eyesight, we encourage you to share them with us.

We’ll gladly take the time to address your concerns.

To prepare you for your pediatric eye exam appointment at 1HourEyeDocs, here’s some helpful information about what to expect:

When is the right time for a kids eye exam?

  • 1. Babies should have their first vision check-up at 6 months of age
  • 2. 3 years old is recommended for the second complete pediatric eye examination
  • 3. A total eye exam should be done before starting school, at 5-6 years old
  • 4. Yearly eye exams are advised for kids who wear eyeglasses. If no vision correction is required, regular check-ups can be performed every 2 years.

What tests are done?

Every child is unique, and we personalize our kids eye exams to suit your child. We will determine which tests and procedures to perform in our Montrose, Colorado, office, depending upon your child’s age, developmental stage and personal vision condition.

The following explanations are provided as a basic guideline:

  • Infants By three months of age, infants should be able to fixate on an object and track it visually. We’ll assess the development of this skill. We’ll also shine a light into your baby’s eyes to observe how their pupils open and shut in reaction. An additional evaluation that we may conduct is a test called “preferential looking”, in which we show images to your infant and inspect how his or her gaze responds.
  • Pre-school children Have no fear if your child isn’t yet confident reading the ABC’s! We can still check visual acuity. Retinoscopy is one useful procedure that we perform; it evaluates how light reflects off the retina. LEA symbols, used in place of a standard letter and number chart, also enable us to assess vision quality by having your child look at graphic images of various shapes, such as an apple or a house. Eye teaming is checked with random dot stereopsis, a method based on showing dot patterns to your kid.
  • School-aged kids We will evaluate visual acuity comprehensively to determine if your child needs vision correction, such as prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Eye alignment will also be assessed, to verify that the whole visual system is functioning together well. Using a high powered lens, we’ll also inspect your kid’s ocular health for any signs of abnormalities.

What are some common diagnoses made during pediatric eye exams?

:
Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are the most typical diagnoses that Dr. Buck Buchanan makes when examining kids in our Montrose, Colorado, optometric clinic. Other usual problems include:

  • Amblyopia (lazy eye) – generally treated by patching the dominant eye
  • Strabismus – due to weak, misaligned eye muscles, surgery is often recommended, or eye exercises are done to strengthen ocular muscles
  • Convergence insufficiency – an inability to keep eyes aligned well for reading, vision therapy is often successful treatment
  • Binocularity problems – causes difficulty with coordination and depth perception
  • Accommodation Problems – Trouble focusing between near and far, vision therapy is usually prescribed

If we detect any of these eyesight problems in your child, we’ll consult with you to discuss what we find – and we’ll work with you to identify the best treatment or therapy for your child’s visual needs, age, health condition and lifestyle.

Call 1HourEyeDocs on 888-536-8383 in Montrose, Colorado to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Buck Buchanan.
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Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

How do I get Contact Lenses?

Many people love the convenience and quality vision of contact lenses.

If you are interested in wearing lenses instead of eyeglasses, we’ll help you with all that you need

At 1HourEyeDocs, our eye doctors will examine your eyes to determine if you’re a good candidate for contacts, and we’ll fit you with the best type for your visual requirements.

We offer comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings in our offices located conveniently in Montrose, Colorado .

Our eye doctor, Dr. Buck Buchanan, will examine your eyes thoroughly to make sure that no health or eye issues will interfere with wearing contact lenses. We will also determine your accurate vision prescription, so that your eyesight is crystal-clear.

If everything checks out well, then it’s time for your contact lens consultation and fitting.

Contact Lens Consultation in Montrose, Colorado ,Our eye doctors will begin with a discussion about your lifestyle, visual requirements and preferences for contact lenses.

We appreciate each patient as an individual, and we’ll listen to your expectations and answer your questions.

Some considerations you may have when choosing contacts:

  • Do you want lenses for every day, or just for certain occasions or activities?
  • Do you want to change your eye color?
  • How frequently do you want to replace your contacts? There are daily wear options or extended wear lenses.
  • Do you prefer soft or hard lenses? Soft lenses are most popular, but hard lenses have their advantages. They offer high oxygen permeability, provide crisp vision and are durable.

Your contact lens fitting

After a comprehensive exam of your eye health and vision by Dr. Buck Buchanan, we ’ll measure your eyes for contact lenses. There are many corneal variations, and one size of contacts doesn’t fit all eyes.

We will measure:

  • Corneal curvature: Using a keratometer, we’ll find the curvature of your cornea, which is needed to choose the best diameter and curve for your contacts. Corneal mapping is also sometimes used to provide a highly detailed image of your cornea. If you have an irregular corneal surface due to astigmatism, you may need toric lenses, available in hard and soft versions.
  • Iris and pupil size: Using either a basic ruler or template, or a specialized lighted tool called a slit lamp, we will measure your iris and pupils. These sizes will help us to determine the best contact lens design for you.
  • Evaluation of your tear film: Sufficient moisture is needed on your cornea in order to keep your eyes and contact lenses well lubricated. With dry eyes, contact lens wearing may not be suitable. We will perform this test either by placing a strip of paper on your lower eyelid to measure moisture, or by using liquid dye and a slit lamp to see your tears.
  • Trial lenses:The best way to confirm the ideal contact lenses for you is by using trial lenses.
  • Contact lenses: will be inserted and our eye doctor will use a slit lamp to check the position and movement of your contacts. You’ll be asked to blink and move your gaze in all directions and to provide feedback about how the contacts feel.
  • Trial wearing time is generally about 15 minutes, and then if the contact lenses feel good and appear to fit well, you’ll be instructed on how to care for them. We will provide you with guidelines on how long to wear them, as well as information on proper care and handling.

Your contact lens prescription

Once we find lenses for you that provide clear vision, fit properly and feel good, we’ll issue a prescription, which includes:

  • Power of each contact lens
  • Lens curvature (base curve)
  • Lens diameter
  • Manufacturer and name of the lenses

Follow-up visits, After your initial fitting, we’ll provide follow-up visits in Montrose, Colorado.

Our optometrists will verify that your eyes are healthy, with quality vision and no damage from the lenses. If needed, we’ll change the materials or fit of your contacts, or you may be advised to change your wearing time. If everything is good, you should schedule a routine yearly exam to make sure that nothing has changed with your eyes and eyesight.

Call 1HourEyeDocs on 888-536-8383 in Montrose, Colorado to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Buck Buchanan.

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Do I have the best vision possible?

Our expert eye doctor, Dr. Buck Buchanan, is committed to providing you with the best vision possible.

He will perform a detailed eye exam to check your eyesight, in our Montrose, Colorado , office. This includes a thorough eye test to determine your vision prescription for eyeglasses and contact lenses. In general, an accurate vision prescription aims to give you 20/20 vision. What does that number mean, and is it really the best vision?

What does 20/20 and all those numbers mean?

The standard by which all eyesight is judged is referred to as 20/20 vision. This is regarded as “normal vision” and describes what someone should see when standing 20 feet away from an eye chart.

If you are diagnosed with 20/40 vision, it means that at 20 feet – you can only see the details that a person with normal vision sees at 40 feet. In reverse, if you have 20/10 vision, it means that at 20 feet – you can clearly see what most people can only see at 10 feet. That makes your vision better than the average standards!

Can people have better than 20/20 vision?

20/10 vision is thought to be the maximum visual acuity of human eyes without binoculars or other magnifying devices. Recent advances in optics have led to the creation of corrective lenses that can provide this ultra-sharp vision.

It seems that the best eyesight ever reported in a human was in an Aborigine man with 20/5 vision! To give you an idea of how clear and far he could see, his vision measurement compares to the natural sight of eagles. From 20 feet, he could perceive the fine details that most people can only see from 5 feet away! (In case you were wondering, the only creature with vision sharper than an eagle is believed to be the hawk, with 20/2 visual acuity.)

Do we prescribe eyewear for vision higher than 20/20?

Although it’s possible to fit eyeglasses and contact lenses that give sharper than average vision, the gold standard in optometry is still 20/20.

A prescription for 20/10 will certainly improve distance vision, yet it may compromise near vision. In our Montrose optical center, our experienced optometrist will check your visual acuity carefully. Using high-tech diagnostics, we’ll ensure that you receive the best vision prescription for your ocular condition and lifestyle needs.

While we don’t promise eyesight like an eagle or hawk, at 1HourEyeDocs we are dedicated to fitting our patients with the sharpest vision possible for humans!

Call 1HourEyeDocs on 888-536-8383 in Montrose, Colorado to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Buck Buchanan.

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Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Are Over-the-Counter Readers good enough?

If you are over 40, chances are you need reading glasses (or you will soon!).

You can purchase these eyeglasses on your own from a local drugstore, or you can buy prescription glasses from an optical store. What’s the difference?

Features of Over-the-Counter readers

For starters, generic reading glasses (also known as readers) bought over-the-counter are designed especially for presbyopia. This refers to the age-related condition in which your natural eye lens loses flexibility, making it hard to focus on near objects. These spectacles will not address other visual conditions, such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, as they are constructed from magnifying lenses set into eyeglass frames.

Over-the-counter eyeglasses are typically lower priced and lower quality, especially when compared to the durable, designer frames in our Montrose, MI, optical collection. The frames tend to be weaker, and the lenses scratch easily.

Readers also have the exact same prescription in each lens. Therefore, if your vision condition isn’t identical in both eyes, then it may be difficult to focus with these generic glasses.

Yet one distinct advantage of drugstore spectacles is their convenience. If you only need reading glasses occasionally, then this may be an ideal solution for your presbyopia. Wearing them for an extended period, such as reading for hours, may cause eye fatigue and headaches. Yet if you only need to put them on to read the fine print at the bottom of a package, then they can be fine for your requirements.

You can easily buy a few pairs and store them where you need them most! Keep one pair in your desk drawer and another in your bag.

Features of prescription reading glasses

When we craft prescription eyeglasses for you at correct lens powers. We’ll also offer you options such as scratch-resistant and anti-glare coatings.

Can generic readers hurt your eyes? No.

Wearing these over-the-counter glasses may bother your eyes or cause a headache if the prescription isn’t correct, but they will not damage your lasting vision. To ensure that you purchase the right power of lenses, it’s a good idea to have an eye exam from a knowledgeable eye doctor.

Even if you opt not to buy prescription reading glasses from an optical laboratory, a full vision test is the best, most reliable way to find out the magnification that you need!

Call 1HourEyeDocs on 888-536-8383 in Montrose, Colorado to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Buck Buchanan.

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How do I choose my family optometrist?

When it comes to choosing the best eye clinic for your family, you need to make sure that all your vision and eye health requirements are satisfied. To make it easy for you, here are the top 5 things to consider when choosing a first-rate eye care practice:

What are your eye and vision care needs?

  1. Do you need primary care, such as vision testing, eyeglasses, and contact lenses?
    Or do you need more advanced eye care for ocular disease treatment? You should know the basic eye care services that you require, before selecting a specific optometry practice. (Be aware that every state has different regulations about the services that an optometrist is authorized to provide.)
    In addition, a range of high-tech optometric equipment exists, and it’s important to verify that the optometry office is equipped with the best technology for your needs.
  2. What credentials and/or specialized training does the eye doctor have?
    Diplomas, training credentials, and/or licenses should be hung prominently in the office or waiting room of every eye care clinic. If you have a challenging vision prescription or unique eye health needs, it’s important to verify that your eye specialist is qualified and experienced in your condition.
  3. How much professional experience does the optometrist and office staff have?
    You want an optometrist who is knowledgeable and experienced, as well as an office and optical staff who knows how to provide ultimate eye care!
    A top-notch office staff will be able to schedule you with the right appointments and help you understand your medical health insurance or vision insurance policy. Experienced opticians will make the best recommendations for eyeglasses that match your face and vision prescription.
  4. How accessible is the eye doctor?
    Don’t compromise on quality or convenience! Your optometrist must be available for all of your patient needs, from performing vision testing and eye exams to providing management of an ocular disease. Check the hours of the eye care clinic, and ask about how to get in touch in case of an eye emergency.
  5. Is the eye wear collection large and high-quality?
    Your eyeglasses and contact lenses need to be durable, fashionable, and provide a good fit for your individual needs. Nowadays, there is a wide range of eyeglasses and contacts available. Many optional lens coatings and treatments are also possible, and contacts come in a variety of specialty types for hard-to-fit patients.

Why limit your selection to only a few types, styles or brands? Check to make sure that the optical collection offers a full inventory of quality frames and premium contact lenses for your whole family!

Call 1HourEyeDocs on 888-536-8383 in Montrose, Colorado to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Buck Buchanan.

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