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We’ve all felt it during a long day at our desk job or after a lengthy session of scrolling through social media on our smartphones–digital eye strain. But did you know your kids may be suffering too? In today’s world, children are using various digital devices just as much, if not more, th...

They say hindsight is 20/20. Even though we can reflect on past experiences through a seemingly perfect lens, is 20/20 as good as it gets when it comes to our vision? The Difference Between Visual Acuity And Our Vision Before we explore what those magic numbers mean, it’s important to clarify w...

Have you ever noticed specks, strings or cobwebs drift across your field of vision? Those are called eye floaters! If you’ve ever experienced them, you’ve probably wondered what they were and if they were a cause for concern. Here’s all you need to know about those sometimes bothersome floa...

The great Dr. Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Reading a good book is a wonderful way to feed our curiosity and fuel our intellect. But as we age, it may become more difficult to make out what’s wri...

An eye exam may be the last thing on your mind in the rush to get your children ready to go back to school. But in reality, no amount of new clothes, binders, backpacks or pencils will help your child succeed in school if they have an undetected problem with their vision. Why Back-To-School Eye E...

We are always talking about how amazing our eyes are! But have you ever stopped to think about how remarkable animals’ eyes can be? Sight is important to us as human beings, but for animals in the wild, vision is a matter of life and death. And due to differences in environment, each speci...

Dry eye is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. In fact, it's one of the most common reasons that patients pay a visit to their eye doctor. We’ve all had those days where our eyes feel dry, tired and irritated. But what does it mean? And what if it persists? What Is Dry Eye Di...

Who doesn’t love sunglasses? A pair of stylish shades not only makes us more fashionable but also provides vital protection for our eyes! Where did the idea of sunglasses begin, though? Let’s learn a little bit more about the history of sunglasses and how they came to be what they are today. ...

Morning sickness, weight gain, back pain… These are common symptoms of pregnancy. But did you know pregnancy can affect your vision as well? A woman’s body goes through extraordinary changes during pregnancy. Some of them, like changes in hormones, metabolism, fluid retention and blood circul...

The Fourth of July is coming up and most of us are looking forward to the Independence Day parades, family celebrations, backyard barbecues, and of course, fireworks. As fun and beautiful as fireworks are, they can also be extremely dangerous. In fact, over 10,000 fireworks-related injuries were ...

From the early days of purely glass lenses to the advanced materials we use now, the technology in prescription lenses is constantly improving. Today, special lens coatings improve and protect our vision in ways we could only dream of before. Anti-reflective Coating Eliminates Lens Reflections Ha...

You may think getting an eye exam simply requires you to read a few lines on the eye chart, but it’s important to take advantage of each and every visit to your optometrist. For the average person, you only see your optometrist once or twice a year. In that time, we want to answer your question...

But are they better for your eyes than regular sunglasses? Think of polarized lenses as a tool for fine-tuning for your vision while wearing sunglasses. They are especially useful if you are an avid outdoorsman, an active athlete, or find yourself in high-glare situations.   Before we dig in...

Learn about the role nutrition plays in the health of your eyes.  The latest news on nutrition and cataracts comes to us from China, and in the spotlight is green tea for its protective benefits. This study looked at the tea drinking habits of 9,343 participants. Compared to non-tea-drinkers...

Do you ever find yourself rubbing your eyes as you wake up in the morning? How about after a long day working at your computer? When our eyes are tired or irritated, our first instinct may be to rub them for relief. Even though it seems harmless, that small sense of alleviation may come at a seri...

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness among older adults in the United States. In fact, more than half of all Americans have cataracts by the time they are 80 years old. We understand you may have questions about cataracts, so we'd like to take this opportunity to help you understand how t...

In today’s world, if you feel your vision growing weaker you simply go to the eye doctor and get a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. It wasn’t always so easy! Glasses have come a long way since their inception some time in the 13th century. Join us on a journey through time as we ex...

Did you see that sunset last night? How about the big game? Or were you watching your daughter take her first steps? Our eyes truly let us see some wonderful things. But how do eyes work? The eyes are fascinating and complex organs with many components. We’d like to help you understand exa...

Nothing makes us want a fresh spring salad more than chirping birds, blooming flowers, and a pleasant spring breeze. Not only can a good salad refresh your palette, it can benefit your vision as well! We’re taking advantage of all of our favorite in-season fruits and vegetables t...

Sunglasses are an essential year-round fashion accessory! We don’t deny you look great in those killer shades, but sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement. Those fancy new sunglasses are crucial to protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays! Not all sunglasses are created equal however...

Spring has sprung and with it comes beautiful flowers, chirping birds, and, you guessed it, seasonal allergies. While many think of fits of sneezing and congestion when thinking of allergies, they can have a dramatic effect on our eyes too. Eye allergies, also known as ocular allergies or allergi...

Light… it's the most essential element of vision. We are surrounded by it all day, whether it be natural or artificial. So it’s no surprise that we frequently get asked if certain types of light can negatively affect our eyes. Here we’ve compiled some tips so you can protect your eyes and p...

Women are at greater risk of serious eye disease, but there are steps you can take to protect your eyes. Numbers don’t lie, but they sure can make us think.  You may have heard the news that the vast majority of visually impaired people—two out of three—are women.  Part of the rea...

With all the crazy technology we see today, you probably haven’t thought much about the small wonder that helps you see all that cool tech: your contact lenses! The concept of the contact lens was conceived over 500 years ago! But it didn’t really become what it is today until the 20th c...

Eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow… Makeup can really make eyes pop! Despite the striking effect of beauty products, it’s important to remember that putting anything that close to your eye can potentially be harmful. We’ve compiled some cosmetic safety tips so you can look beautiful AND protect y...

We don't often pay attention to our blinking habits throughout the day. But whether we realize it or not, blinking is vitally important to our eye health. The average adult blinks between 10 and 20 times per minute. Even though a blink only takes one tenth of a second, all those blinks add up to ...

You just bought a new pair of glasses. The last thing you want to see are dirty or scratched up lenses! If you take good care of your glasses, they can last you several years. Here are some tips on how to keep your investment looking and feeling like new. Don’t Wipe Your Lenses When They’re D...

You know it’s been a long day when your eye starts twitching. These annoying little tics are often signs from our body telling us to have healthier habits! Eye twitching happens when the tiny muscles and nerves around the eye are stimulated. In most cases, minor twitching is painless and will g...

Getting glasses when you are young can be a difficult adjustment for any child. Helping children adjust properly and love their glasses may be difficult, but it can make all the difference! We care about your child's comfort and want them to become a proud wearer of spectacles! Here are some tips...

In today’s world, digital eye strain in the workplace is becoming increasingly common. However, being educated about eye strain is the first step in preventing it! Over 70 percent of Americans who work on a computer on a daily basis suffer from digital eye strain. The good news is it’s avoida...

When it comes to buying something as important as glasses or contact lenses, make sure you get them from the right source. While there are online options available, we’re here to tell you that there are important benefits to ordering from the experts! We Provide More Options In Style, Fit And B...

Download, print, and keep your eyes safe! Printable version of the checklist  With about 2,000 workplace eye injuries occurring each day, eye safety at work is a serious concern, one with long-term consequences. Approximately 10-20% of on the job injuries lead to temporary or even permanent ...

Are you suffering from headaches? You may want to ask yourself when your last eye exam was! If you have undetected or uncorrected vision problems, you may be suffering from headaches needlessly. Headaches Can Be Caused By Eyestrain A routine eye exam can uncover a variety of issues that may be ca...

Every time we open our eyes we are reminded of the remarkable gift of sight! Whether you’re watching the sunset or seeing your child take their first steps, your eyes allow you to see some pretty amazing things. Sadly, each year about one million eye injuries occur in the United States–9...

The eye is an extremely amazing and unique organ. In fact, it is the only place in the body where a doctor can see part of the central nervous system—the optic nerve! What Is A Dilated Eye Exam? The pupil is the opening in the center of the eye. When your pupil is not dilated, it makes seeing a...

The Amsler Grid provides important clues about central vision. What you hear about aging eyes and the risks of macular degeneration may make you feel like there is nothing you can do to protect your vision. That is simply not true. Regular exams with your optometrist are the best way to detect an...

Contact lenses are safe, comfortable, and can change your lifestyle! However, taking proper care of them is crucial to your vision health. Improper contact care or cleaning can lead to infection and, in severe cases, vision loss. Remember these tips when it comes to contact lens care: Your O...

The second leading cause of blindness has no warning signs and some surprising risk factors. We may not notice changes in pressure until our car tire is flat or our garden hose is bursting with water. Pressure plays an important role in daily life and a very important one in eye health.   Un...

Put your practice on the path to success in the new year with these productivity tips from Dr. Walt West. When I started my first optometric practice, I knew little to nothing about business management. But, to be fair, that’s true of most optometrists. One of the things I clearly didn’t do w...

When the snow and cold of winter begin to roll in, we often take steps to protect ourselves from the impending cold and flu season. But it may surprise you to know that the cold of winter may have a few potential risks in store for our vision as well. 3 Factors That Impact Vision in Winter #1: Dr...

When it comes to reading, there are some key differences between computer screens, e-readers, and printed books and newspapers. The question is, how does each affect our eyes? Reading On A Screen May Make Our Eyes Work Harder Computer screens, smartphones, and tablets display text and images diff...

Indoor tanning beds are infamous for their dangerous effects on skin. What most people don't realize is that the very thing in tanning beds that causes skin cancer (ultraviolet radiation) can also damage your vision. Indoor Tanning Is Risky Business Indoor tanning initially gained its popularity ...

During the course of our lifetime, our eyes witness countless breathtaking moments. Whether we're surrounded by a beautiful landscape or simply seeing the joy in a loved one's face, we want to see these moments as clearly as possible—no matter what stage of life we're in. Vision Changes Ar...

Our sense of vision is a wonderfully beautiful and complex part of our everyday life. On an average day it may be easy to take it for granted, but it's important to take time to recognize what makes all of that beauty possible—our eyes! We'd like to celebrate our fascinating eyes by sharin...

We all have a nightly routine. But what we may not realize is that some of our bedtime habits could be harming our eyes and overall health. Here's a few helpful tips to help you get some better shut-eye: Take Your Contacts Out Before Going To Sleep We know that after a long day it can be hard to ...

Did you know that roughly a quarter of a million children are seen in hospital emergency rooms each year due to toy-related injuries? About half of these injuries are to the head and face, and many affect the eyes. While they may be fun to buy for birthdays and other occasions, certain toys pose ...

The way we perceive the world depends largely on our mood. Have you ever felt angry and as a result, little things annoyed you that usually wouldn't? Have you ever felt so happy that seemingly nothing could bring you down? We have all had these experiences, but did you know that something si...

More than 29 million people in the United States are living with diabetes. 86 million Americans—more than one out of three—have prediabetes, and vision problems are one of the foremost complications accompanying this disease. It is important to know what those problems are and, most important...

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over the age of 40 and are the principal cause of blindness throughout the world. Considering the prevalence of this medical condition, we want to make sure you know the facts about cataracts, their signs and symptoms, and treatmen...

Undetected vision problems can affect children in every aspect of their lives. Even as an infant, poor vision can affect a child’s behavior, learning and development, and much more. According to the American Optometric Association, infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at the a...

We've heard more than once that carrots are good for our eyes. But they're certainly not the only food that can benefit our sight! Here are some of our favorite foods that help promote and maintain healthy eyes. Vegetables And Leafy Greens Have you ever wondered why they say carrots are so good f...

Astigmatism may be one of the most commonly misunderstood eye conditions. Many believe it's caused by improper lighting, that it can lead to more serious eye problems, or—something we’ve all likely thought at some point—that it's called "a stigmatism." The Basics Of Astigmatism So let’s c...

It's been a long day. As you lay down in bed, you dispel all the stresses and frustrations and instead focus on one mental image: one beautiful picture that reminds you just how lucky you are, a moment that always makes you smile. Can you see it? What's The Most Beautiful Thing You've Ever S...

Halloween is just around the corner! Vision Source is here to help you get ready with 13 eye safety tricks and delicious treats that are sure to catch everyone’s eye. TRICK: Carry soft, flexible props. Sharp swords are just asking for trouble. Keep everyone’s eyes safe by leaving props at hom...

We humans have a lot to brag about among our relatives in the animal kingdom. Our biggest advantages stem from our highly advanced brains, allowing us to communicate and create tools. But when it comes to vision, a lot of animals have us beat—in more ways than one! Here are three visual abiliti...

Everyone sees the world’s beauty from a different perspective. Unfortunately, women stand a far greater risk of developing eye conditions, which may prevent them from seeing this beauty at all. How much greater is a woman's risk of permanent vision loss? The numbers may surprise ...

For us, outstanding vision care is centered around one-on-one relationships. As our Vision Source® members listen and share with you, they become better acquainted with your unique eye health profile and how it affects your day-to-day life. This helps them tailor not only their treatme...

The last few decades have seen an astonishing increase in the prevalence of children’s myopia. Why is it happening and what can you do about it? Myopia, also called nearsightedness, affects an estimated 30 percent of the population. In the vast majority of cases, it develops during early childh...

Did you know there are roughly 40,000 sports-related eye injuries every year in the U.S. alone? Eye protection is important for everyone with an active lifestyle, but especially for young people who play a school sport. In fact, most victims of sports-related eye injuries are children. Sport...

Smoking is directly tied to the leading causes of blindness. Accelerated by tobacco use, cataracts and macular degeneration affect millions of people, robbing them of full, clear vision. Chemicals in cigarette smoke not only put our own eyes at risk, but secondhand exposure can affect those aroun...

Some people swim while wearing contact lenses, risking serious damage to their vision. Eye Irritation Isn’t Just Caused By Chlorine While many of us associate swimming pools with the smell with chlorine, the real culprits are chemicals that form when chlorine mixes with sweat, dirt, a...

The summer is coming to a close -- are your child's eyes ready for school? Back-to-School is a happy, yet stressful time for parents. We’re all searching for the coolest outfits and the best school supplies to get their year started right. And for many, new eyeglasses top the list. But have you...

They may not have been cool when you were a kid, but more and more kids are choosing "geek" glasses these days. And they're doing it voluntarily! Why? Because "geek chic" is in. It has been for awhile in fact. First reports of the trend started popping up in the mid 2000s, and whil...

Our eyes are often the truest indicators of health A quick glance at someone’s eyes can reveal their mood, stress level, and whether or not they got enough sleep last night! But this goes much, much deeper. When your Vision Source® doctor takes a closer look at your eyes, he or she&n...

When did you last replace your contact lens case? Has it been so long you don’t remember? We know the value of getting full use from household items. But whether it’s a towel, toothbrush or toaster—eventually, things need to be replaced. For your vision health, replacing your cont...

Back-to-school season is a great time to schedule an eye appointment. In less than a month, the school year begins. New classes and extracurricular activities will soon be the focus. Take advantage of the last days of summer to make sure your children are seeing their very bes...

It is estimated that 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but only half know they do. Glaucoma is serious eye disease and the second leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the world. The two most common forms of glaucoma are Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma. ...

Our eye color comes from our iris, the tissue surrounding the pupil of our eye. Each iris has a unique pattern of ridges and folds, specific only to you! Iris Patterns Have Been Observed Since Ancient Times The iris works much like a camera’s aperture, regulating light levels and help...

We wear our glasses all day, but we don’t think much about the toll the day takes on our lenses. You can’t always avoid having your glasses scratched or bent, but there are a lot of things you can do to preserve the clarity of your lenses and integrity of your frames. Tip #1: C...

Each Vision Source® practice is dedicated to bringing you personalized, professional care. We want you to feel at home in our practice, and we love visiting with you. The more we understand about your habits, concerns, and existing health conditions, the more personalized care we can provid...

When it comes to sunglasses, what you can’t see can hurt you! You may think your shades are doing their job by just taking away the sun’s glare. But sunglasses have another important purpose—blocking invisible ultraviolet light. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can cause short-term discom...

Do you experience frequent headaches? Are you squinting a lot? It may be time to get glasses. Approximately half of the U.S. wears some sort of corrective lens. But many people who would benefit from vision correction don’t even know they have a problem or are avoiding the trip to their eye doc...

Exercise improves our mood, keeps our bodies fit, and decreases risk for certain diseases. Did you know that exercise may also reduce your risk for eye disease? Exercise Keeps Our Eyes Feeling Young! Studies show that regular physical activity may decrease our chances of developing age-relat...

Over 9,000 fireworks injuries occur each year. Many of these injuries include eye damage—sometimes permanently compromising vision! It’s Fireworks Safety Month Too many of us forget that fireworks are dangerous, explosive devices, NOT family-friendly toys! Always follow safe practices ar...

Right now, consider the value of your vision. It enables you to function and be self-sufficient. How would you adjust without it? Millions of people around the world confront this question as cataracts begin impeding their vision. How Cataracts Affect Eyesight Cataracts cloud ...

How old is that mascara? Do you know? Most of us don’t worry much about makeup expiration dates. But eye makeup is a notorious breeding-ground for potentially harmful bacteria. Potential Bacterial Infections Like Styes or Pinkeye Eyelashes naturally have bacteria on them. Your mascara...

If you have dry eyes and can’t figure out why, the answer may be in your cupboard. Dry eye is often a side effect of certain medications. People are surprised to learn that even non-prescription medications could be contributing to their uncomfortable eyes. Common Medication Exam...

Are photochromic glasses right for you? For people who wear glasses, the transition from a sunny outdoors to a darker indoors can be hard on the eyes and cumbersome. Many people wind up with two pairs of eyeglasses -- a pair of prescription lenses for indoors, as well as a pair of prescripti...

You, our valued patients and friends, are the most important part of what we do. When you visit a Vision Source® practice, you’ll notice that it feels different than those big “chain” glasses stores. That’s because we ARE different. We take the old fashioned, one-to-one, long-term, ...

Here’s a breakdown of your options.  It can be very exciting picking out new frames for your glasses. But did you know that the lenses you choose are even more important? And for more reasons than you might realize! Eyeglass lenses influence many factors, including: appearance, comfort, vi...

What are eyeglass lens coatings, and do you need them? After picking out frames and the type of lenses you want for your new eyeglasses, you should decide if a lens coating is right for you. Eyeglass lens coatings can enhance lens (and eye) performance and can add to the appearance of your new le...

We promise -- it’s not a made up thing! Wearing glasses may give you 20/20 vision, but you probably still see small distortions due to the characteristics of your eyes and the limitations of regular lenses. Thanks to advances in lens manufacturing technology, you may be in luck!  High-defi...

You take good care of your body and mind, but don’t forget your eyes!  The older we get the more our doctors tell us to take care of our bodies with a healthy diet and lifestyle. In the much the same way, we must also keep an eye on our eyes.  You may be thinking this message isn’t ...

Some situations demand extra protection for your eyes. That’s where safety glasses come in! When working (or playing) in situations that pose a risk to your eyes, safety glasses are your best bet. Unlike regular glasses, they’re designed to conform to a higher standard of impact resistance. M...

Glamorous, practical, and good for your eye health—sunglasses are the perfect accessory! Humans have been using eyewear to block out the sun for thousands of years. Check out these facts to appreciate how far sunglasses have come:  1. People Have Worn Sun-Blocking Eyewear For About 2,000 Y...

Although wearing protective eyewear is the best way to prevent eye injuries from happening, there are several other ways that you can protect your eyes. Whether you’re at home or work it’s necessary to protect your eyes from injuries. There are several different ways in which you can protect ...

Just like adults, children need to get their eyes checked. Research shows that about 25 percent of preschoolers have vision related problems. The American Optometric Association suggests that infants receive their first eye examination at around six months old. After that, children should receive...

You may have inherited a knack for cooking from your parents, but it’s also possible you inherited certain eye disease risks. Many Eye Conditions Have Genetic Links Does someone in your family—a parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt—have AMD (Age-related macular degeneration)? If so, your risk...

There are lots of perks to getting older... Retirement, travel, stability, grandkids, etc. However, few of us want to look older. One of the first places we show our age is in the skin around our eyes. Good habits can keep us looking younger longer! 1. Get Your Beauty Sleep While we sleep our bod...

The gift of sight allows us to enjoy nature’s beauty – from the majesty of snow-covered mountains to the color of a flower in bloom. We provide vision care so that people can continue to have these life-enriching experiences. That’s why this April 22nd, Earth Day, we invite you to join us i...

Tears may be triggered by an exhausting day, a joke, a sweet emotion, or as a means for protecting and cleaning our eyes. Photographer Rose-Lynn Fisher examined the micro-makeup of human tears in her project The Typography of Tears. The photographs below show in microscopic detail the d...

It’s easy to take our eyesight for granted! We don’t think about it during a typical day. Here are some remarkable vision tidbits. Be the life of the party with these facts that few people know about vision! 6 Crazy Facts Babies are born color blind. Their color perception develops gradually,...

ECO (Earth Conscious Optics) frames are the first to combine great style and functionality with a green-conscious philosophy. Made From Recycled Materials ECO glasses and sunglasses are made from environmentally responsible materials. ECO Biobased is made with 63% biobased materials, and ECO...

Spring is wonderful, isn’t it? The weather warms up, the days stretch out, and flowers bloom. However, spring also marks the beginning of allergy season! The American College of Allergy, Asthma And Immunology estimates that 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. How Do Spring...

Children that are identified as having autism have diverse needs, challenges, and symptoms. Vision care is an essential part of understanding those needs. April is Autism Awareness Month, and we want to shed light on the link between autism and vision disorders.  Vis...

Tears and a runny nose? Looks like that recipe called for freshly chopped onion! What is it about onions that sends our tear ducts into overdrive? Onions are Full of Sulfur As onions grow, they absorb sulfur from the soil. Onions also contain special enzymes that lie in reserve&nbs...

Have you, or someone you love, been diagnosed with glaucoma? We know that it can be a difficult experience. At these times, it’s especially important to have close relationships your vision care provider. Effective management of glaucoma is a team effort and while any vision loss occurring as a...

The right nutrients help protect our eyes from the effects of aging and eye disease. Many patients, after becoming aware of the connection between their nutrition and eye health, incorporate more fish and greens into their diets. That’s fantastic! Here’s another way to give you...

It’s Workplace Eye Safety Month! The American Optometric Association reports that over half of office workers who regularly use computers suffer from eye strain.If much of your workday is spent using a computer, you cannot afford to ignore the risks it poses to your eyes. Follow these four tip...

We typically worry about staying warm during the winter months, and think less about protecting our eyes. However, the winter months can be as hard on our eyes as the summer months.Here are three things you can do to protect your eyes during the winter months.Tip #1: Don’t Let Your Eyes Dry Ou...