Optical

Here’s How To Tell If Your Child Needs Glasses

Experts agree that uncorrected vision problems make it much more difficult for children to succeed both in and out of the classroom. That’s why it’s important for parents to know the warning signs of an uncorrected vision problem, and to bring their children to the optometrist for regular eye exams.

A 2017 study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California found that most visual impairment in children (aged 3-6) is due to uncorrected refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism). They also predicted a 26% increase in the amount of children with vision problems over the next 45 years.

Here are some signs to watch for that may signal the need for glasses:

Frequent head tilting or eye rubbing
Headaches
Closing or covering one eye when focusing on something
Squinting
Difficulty reading
Avoiding visually-demanding activities
Sitting very close to the TV screen or computer

These symptoms can affect children of all ages, and regardless of whether they already wear glasses. A child who exhibits any symptoms and already uses glasses or contact lenses may need an updated prescription.

At Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we know that healthy eyesight is critical for a child’s success and well-being. We offer pediatric eye exams and other services to ensure that your entire family receives the best in eye care.

Our friendly and professional staff uses the most effective and gentle methods to help your child feel safe and comfortable throughout the examination process.

If your child requires vision correction, we can recommend the best options for their visual needs and lifestyle.

To schedule your child’s eye exam, contact Overland Optical Family Eye Care in Overland or St. Charles today!
At Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we put your family’s needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 314-254-2211 or book an appointment online to see one of our Overland eye doctors.

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Q&A

How often does my child need to have their eyes examined?

According to the American Optometric Association, infants need an eye exam in their first year of life, and again between the ages of 3 and 5, and annually thereafter. Children at risk of developing vision problems or who already wear glasses may need more frequent eye exams. Your eye doctor will instruct you on how often to bring in your child based on their visual needs.

Are school vision screenings sufficient?

No. Vision screenings offered by pediatricians or school nurses do not replace the expertise and care of an optometrist. Unlike these simple screenings, our comprehensive eye exams are designed to detect even slight visual deficiencies, and assess a multitude of visual skills.

Everything You Need To Know About Prescription Sunglasses

Make sure your eyes are protected with prescription sunglasses all year round. They combine the advantages of traditional sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses by protecting your eyes while allowing you to see clearly.

If you haven’t already purchased a pair, here are some benefits of prescription sunglasses you may not know.

Eye Protection – Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV and blue light, which can cause eye irritation and fatigue. The majority of our frames provide 100% UV protection as well as partial blue light protection, in addition to protection from dust, insects, and dirt particles.

Convenience – Wearing a pair of prescription sunglasses is like having two pairs of glasses in one! You won’t have to bother with contacts or clip-ons, and you won’t have to wear non-prescription sunglasses over your regular glasses.

Optical Clarity – Prescription sunglasses are customized to your prescription and help you see well even in harsh sunlight. Say goodbye to squinting while driving or enjoying time outdoors.

Contact Issues – Have your contacts become a source of frustration or expense? When your eyes are getting dry or you just need a break from dealing with contacts, prescription sunglasses are a terrific solution.

Need prescription sunglasses? Done. Visit PRACTICE in LOCATION. Our staff can answer all your questions and help you find the prescription sunglasses that best suit you.

At Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we put your family’s needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 314-254-2211 or book an appointment online to see one of our Overland eye doctors.

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Q&A

Can I get prescription sunglasses with bifocals?

Yes, you might believe prescription sunglasses offer fewer options, but they don’t! In fact, they offer many of the same options as traditional eyeglasses, including bifocals.

If I get prescription sunglass lenses polarized, will that affect the prescription?

A polarized filter is a film placed over the lens; therefore, it has no effect on the lens prescription.

Which Glasses Should People With Astigmatism Wear?

Eyeglasses come in all shapes and sizes, and can be made from several different materials. For patients with astigmatism, the lens material and frame shape all play a role in providing clear and comfortable vision.

Below, we’ll explain what astigmatism is and which glasses are best suited for astigmatic eyes.

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common eye condition caused by an irregularly curved cornea or lens. It affects about 30% of North Americans.

When the cornea or lens is misshapen, it changes how incoming light is refracted onto the retina.

Symptoms of astigmatism include:

Blurred vision
Eye strain
Headaches
Difficulty seeing at night
Frequent squinting when trying to focus on an object

Very often, astigmatism accompanies either nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia).

Best Glasses For Astigmatism

Frame Shape and Size

Flatter frames are better for astigmatism. Wraparound or curved frames can bend the light in a way that distorts your vision. Also, be sure to choose a frame that sits securely on the bridge of your nose to keep your vision clear and in focus.

Lens Material

Higher levels of astigmatism often require a thinner type of lens than standard lenses. High index or Trivex lenses are often used for high prescriptions.

Standard plastic lenses are less expensive and can be helpful for low levels of astigmatism.

Specialized Lens Coatings

Every time you order glasses, you have the option of adding on custom coatings to suit your optical needs. Some available options are anti-scratch, UV-blocking, and blue-light blocking.

People with astigmatism may want to opt for anti-glare or anti-reflective coatings to increase the amount of light that enters the eye. Keeping your lenses clean is also important for accessing the most amount of light for a clearer image.

Local Optical vs. Online

When it comes to astigmatism, it’s best to purchase your eyewear from your local optometrist rather than from online sources. Although it may be more affordable to shop online, you’ll miss out on the opportunity to have your glasses adjusted if necessary, and personalized to fit your face.

Purchasing eyewear online also increases the risk of manufacturing errors and ill-fitting features.

Need Glasses? We Can Help!

At Overland Optical Family Eye Care in Overland, we offer a wide range of eyewear to choose from, whether you have myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism or a combination.

Our experienced and skilled optical team will help you find the best glasses for your eyes and personal style.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about what we offer, contact Overland Optical Family Eye Care in Overland today!

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7 Reasons To Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses Not Only Protect Your Eyes, But They Look Great and Can Accommodate Every Style and Budget

How times have changed. This year, Summer is looking very different than it did a year ago. Yet despite COVID-19, it’s important to spend time outdoors, whether in your garden or on daily walks.

Although sunglasses are ubiquitous symbols of style, they also serve an important function in protecting your eye health.

7 Reasons To Sport A Great Pair Of Sunglasses

- Sunglasses Provide UV Protection

When most people think about sun-related damage, they think about their skin. But the sun’s ultraviolet rays also pose a threat to a person’s eyes. Protect your eyes by wearing a pair of sunglasses that block 100% of both UVB and UVA radiation.

They Help Prevent Cataracts and Macular Degeneration

Both cataracts and macular degeneration are the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness worldwide. You’re at a higher risk of developing these conditions if you expose your eyes to excessive amounts of UV radiation. The risk can be minimized by wearing glasses that protect against this radiation.

Cataracts cloud the lenses of the eyes, causing blurred vision. Years of exposure to UV rays cause the protein in the lens of the eye to clump and thicken, preventing light from passing through it. ..
Macular degeneration refers to central vision loss due to a damaged retina. UV light can be harmful to the eyes, specifically the retina, and exposure to UV rays is a risk factor for the onset of age-related macular degeneration later in life.
Sunglasses Can Help Prevent Certain Cancers

Ultraviolet exposure has been associated with certain eye cancers and several types of skin cancer found on the eyelids. You can reduce your risk significantly by wearing a pair of sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection. Keep in mind that when choosing shades, it doesn’t matter how dark they are or the color of the lenses. The most important thing is that they block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

Sunglasses Keep You Looking Younger

Though a stylish pair of shades makes anyone feel youthful on the inside, it can also make you actually look younger on the outside. By protecting the delicate skin around your eyes, sunglasses slow down the development of wrinkles and crow’s feet. This leads to a more youthful appearance over the years.

They Protect Highly Sensitive Eyes

If you have light-colored eyes, take medication that causes photosensitivity (light sensitivity), or have a medical condition that causes you to be more sensitive to light (such as dry eye, corneal abrasion, scleritis, or conjunctivitis) you’ll need to protect your eyes with UV-blocking sunglasses. Note that large sunglasses block more UV rays than smaller ones.

Shades Protect Eyes Recovering From a Medical Procedure

Eye surgeries such as LASIK or cataract surgery are common nowadays. You must continue to wear sunglasses following a procedure to prevent complications.

Sunglasses Enable You to See and Enjoy More

Aside from protecting your eye health, wearing sunglasses helps you see better in bright light. They reduce glare and improve the contrast of what you see, allowing you to better enjoy the sunny outdoors or drive more safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know which Sunwear lenses absorb UV rays the most?

A: Generally, most Sunwear lenses will absorb UV lenses to some degree. Lenses that are marked CR-39R plastic, absorb about 88 percent of UV light. If sunglasses contain polycarbonate lenses, UV absorption will be 100 percent.

Q: Is there a difference between a cheap pair of regular sunglasses versus designer sunglasses?

A: I believe once you put on a pair of polarized sunglasses you will understand and appreciate the difference. the clarity and the color difference are amazing. It is also one of the best ways to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. A “regular” pair of sunglasses is better than nothing ( along with wearing a hat) in protecting your eyes from the sun, but there is no comparison to polarized sunglasses

Visit the Overland Optical Near You

In addition to the countless eye health benefits that come with regularly wearing sunglasses, a pair of stylish shades can really spice up your look. Moreover, at Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we offer a range of styles to choose from, whether you’re on a tight budget or want to splurge on high-end designer shades. So come visit us in Overland and select your favorite pair.

Why Are Blue Eyes More Sensitive To Light?

Did you know that blue eyes don’t contain any blue pigment? They appear blue due to how the light reacts with the structures of the iris.

In fact, the top layer of a blue iris doesn’t contain any pigment at all. This lack of pigment is the reason that blue-eyed people may be more sensitive to bright light and have a greater need to wear sunglasses than their brown-eyed counterparts.

Why Do Your Eyes Need Sun Protection?

Eyes of all colors need shielding from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Exposure to UV light can contribute to the formation of short-term and long-term eye conditions such as corneal sunburn and macular degeneration.

That’s why it’s so important to choose high-quality sunwear with 100% UV blocking lenses, and to throw on a sun hat for an added layer of protection.

UV protection is important for individuals of all ages—especially children—who are more susceptible than adults to the sun’s harmful rays, and tend to spend more time outdoors. It is estimated that up to 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to UV rays happens before the age of 18.

Why are Blue Eyes More Sensitive to Light?

Lighter colored eyes like blue, hazel and green have less of a pigment called ‘melanin’ than brown eyes do.

Melanin helps protect the retina from UV damage and blue light, putting those with blue eyes at a higher risk of developing UV-related eye damage.

If you have blue eyes, you may have experienced this first-hand. Bright light may be uncomfortable or you may want to reach for your shades as soon as you leave the house on a sunny day.

That’s why optometrists urge blue-eyed patients to be particularly vigilant about UV protection, so as to mitigate their chances of developing eye disease and other complications.

How We Can Help

Whether you have blue eyes or not, sunglasses are an important part of keeping your eyes healthy for a lifetime.

At Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we’ll be happy to advise on the perfect high-quality and protective pair of sunglasses to suit your needs and personal style.

To learn more about the eye care services we offer or to schedule an eye exam, contact Overland Optical Family Eye Care in Overland today!

Q&A:

Frequently Asked Questions with Sara Schmitz, O.D.

Q: 1: Should I wear sunglasses even when it’s not sunny outside?

A: Yes! You should wear your sunglasses whenever outdoors during the day, even on an overcast, winter day. UV light can pass through clouds and reflect off surfaces like car windows and pavement.

Q: 2: What type of sunglasses are the most suitable for blue eyes?

A: The most protective sunglasses are wraparound sunglasses that protect the eyes from every angle. You can also opt for photochromic lenses, which offer total UV protection but only become tinted when exposed to outdoor sunlight, and turn clear when you come indoors again. Your optometrist can help you choose the best lens and frame options for your needs and lifestyle.

Quality Frames For Prescription Eyeglasses & Computer Glasses In St. Louis, Missouri. Visit Overland Optical Family Eye Care for an eye exam and eyeglasses that match your style.

Same-Day Eyeglass Replacement and Repair

You know that sinking feeling when you or your child lose or break a much-needed pair of eyeglasses? Now, there’s no reason to panic. At Overland Optical Family Eye Care we understand that you can’t wait days to be able to see clearly. We’re proud to offer you expert same-day service for new glasses and repairs.

On-Site Lab

How do we offer same-day service? Thanks to our on-site lab, we don’t waste time sending your prescription and eyewear to a lab across town. Having an in-house lab that utilizes ultra-precise technology enables us to work quickly and efficiently, and to maintain quality control.

Just as important, we can adjust the new or repaired lenses and frames on the spot.

We offer same-day service for most prescription glasses, including those with specialized lenses: Transitions lenses, progressives (no-line bifocals), and glare-free single-vision lenses, among others.

Eyeglass Repairs

We know that eyeglasses withstand a lot of use and abuse, but sometimes the effects of daily wear and handling necessitate repairs. Frames may crack, a lens may get scratched or a screw may come loose. We can fix your eyewear promptly, no matter the type of repair needed.

Our experts are trained and experienced to provide quick, reliable service. Our goal is to put a pair of eyeglasses back on your face as soon as possible!

Contact Overland Optical Family Eye Care in Overland, St. Charles if you need to repair or replace your glasses.

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How To Prevent Your Lenses From Scratching

If you wear glasses, then you know what a nuisance a scratched lens can be. Scratched or chipped lenses can interfere with your vision, making glasses uncomfortable to wear. Here’s what we recommend to keep your lenses scratch-free.

How to Avoid Scratching Your Lenses

Use a Protective Case

Using a sturdy eyeglass case will prolong the life of your lenses. No matter what kind of glasses you wear — standard, sunglasses, bifocal — you’ll want to protect them.

Be sure to choose a hard case with a soft inner lining and always have one on hand, either in your purse, backpack, or car.

When placing the glasses in their case, make sure the lenses are facing downwards, as this can reduce the risk of them being scratched. Additionally, avoid putting anything else in the case along with the glasses, especially sharp or metal objects.

Choose Anti-Scratch Lenses

Although no lenses are completely scratch-proof, there are certain coatings that can be added to the front and back of your lenses to make them more scratch resistant. Many lenses already come with this option, but sometimes it’s an optional addition. Anti-scratch coatings are particularly helpful for children’s glasses.

Remove Your Glasses Carefully

Handle your glasses by the temples (arms) and not the rims. This way, your fingers avoid the frame and lens area altogether, reducing the chance of inadvertently scratching them. Additionally, holding them by the temples with both hands ensures a better grip, so you’ll be less likely to drop them.

Set Them Down Properly

Never put glasses down with the lenses facing downward, unless it’s into a lens case. If you need to put them down and don’t have a case, rest them with the temples open and upside down — glasses tend to be more stable in this position.

Avoid placing them in a place where they’ll be easily knocked over or splashed on, like near a sink. Setting them down in the same place consistently will also reduce your risk of losing them.

Use the Right Lens Cleaner

It’s all too common for people to wipe their glasses with their clothing or other abrasive material. Doing so can scratch the lenses, especially if they’re dry.

Always clean your lenses with a soft microfiber cloth and specialized lens cleaning solution, items your optometrist’s office can provide.

When to Visit Your Optometrist

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to completely prevent your lenses from ever becoming scratched over their lifetime. Once they are scratched, there is little that can be done to repair the lenses. Most of the time the lenses need to be replaced.

At Overland Optical Family Eye Care, we offer a wide array of frames and lenses, so you’re sure to find a pair to suit your eyes and needs.

Call Overland Optical Family Eye Care in to schedule your eye exam or with any further questions.

Frequently Asked Questions with Dr. Sara Schmitz, O.D.

Q: Can you request lenses made from glass? Is glass still used for lenses?

A: Yes. Opticians still sometimes use glass for lenses. However, glass is not used very often because they aren’t as safe. If these glass lenses breaks, they can shatters into many pieces and can injure the eye. Glass lenses are much heavier than plastic lenses, so they can make your eyeglasses less comfortable to wear.

Q: Can a coating be added to eyeglasses to protect them from further scratches?

A: A protective coating can’t be added to a lens after it’s scratched. The coating is applied when the lens is manufactured and can’t be put on later.

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REFERENCES

https://www.southparkoptical.com/how-to-avoid-scratches-on-your-glasses

https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/how-to-clean-glasses.htm#:~:text=To%20avoid%20scratches%2C%20blow%20any,you%20clean%20the%20cloths%20frequently

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-remove-scratches-from-glasses

5 Winning Tips for Athletes On Eye Protection

Sports Vision is More than Keeping Your Eye on the Ball

Sports are an exceptional way to enhance your physical and mental performance. But sadly, they can also put your eyes at risk. In America alone, approximately 30,000 sports-related injuries occur each year! Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help keep your eyes out of that statistic.

As you get your body in shape, our eye doctor in Overland and St. Charles recommends the following ways to enjoy safe, top-ranking sports vision too.

The Riskiest Sports for Eyes

Airsoft and paintball are considered to be the most dangerous sports for your vision, followed closely by soccer and racket sports. If any of these are your game, be sure to book an eye exam and consultation for the most protective frames and lenses for sports vision.

In case you were wondering, the next most hazardous set of sports for eye injuries includes swimming, lacrosse, archery, football, hockey, skiing and snowboarding. Visit our Overland and St. Charles eye care center for advice on the best eye gear for whatever physical activity you favor.

Protect Your Vision & Eye Health

1. Protective eyewear: Frames and lenses made from impact-resistant polycarbonate are ideal.

2. Check the fit: Properly fitting frames for sports vision are critical. Consult with our eye care team to ensure your eyewear is a good fit.

3. Sunglasses: Overexposure to sunlight raises your risks for developing eye disease, such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration. Choose sunglasses with 100% protection against UV rays.

4. Live healthy: Eat nutritious foods, maintain a healthy weight, manage any chronic conditions and don’t smoke!

5. Eye exams: A comprehensive eye exam is the only way to check if your eyes and vision are healthy. For the best eye care, share your family eye history with our eye doctor in Overland and St. Charles.

The above tips will go far towards keeping your eyes safe and in top shape for sports vision!

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Over 40? Time for a Close Look at Reading Glasses

No matter what age group you look at, eyeglasses are the most common type of vision correction. While there are different types of lenses that can be fit into eyeglasses frames, lenses for distance and lenses for reading are the two most common kinds. Who wears them? People with nearsightedness wear glasses for distance, and people with farsightedness or presbyopia wear reading glasses.

Presbyopia is an age-related vision condition that occurs when the eye’s lens loses flexibility. As a result, presbyopes trouble focusing on objects up close, such as reading the text on a smartphone, book or computer screen.

If you’re inching past 40 and find it increasingly harder to make out the fine print or see images that are near your face, book an eye exam in Overland or St. Charles. Our eye doctor will evaluate your visual acuity and prescribe the right lenses to sharpen your eyesight.

Which reading glasses should you buy?

You’ll know when you need reading glasses because you’ll find that moving small font further from your face helps to bring it into focus. But it can be tricky to know exactly which lenses and frames are best to buy.

All reading glasses are made from convex lenses, and you can buy non-prescription frames at the drugstore with generic strengths. Then, it’s down to trial and error to find your optional lenses. However, the healthier, efficient and more precise way to select frames and lenses is by getting your vision checked with an eye exam.

Can you buy reading glasses that won’t make you look like grandma did?

No worries! At our optical shops in Overland and St. Charles, we feature a trending range of frames, and each pair can be fit with the lenses that our eye doctor prescribes for you personally, including no-line progressives so nobody will know you’re wearing bifocals. We’re proud to offer an amazing array of up-to-date styles, and our staff can help you choose the most flattering pair for you.

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What’s the Best Way to Clean Your Eyeglasses?

Did you know that about 50% of all Americans wear corrective glasses? With eyeglasses being so popular, you might assume people would know how to take care of their optical lenses properly, right? Wrong! When surveyed, most eyeglasses wearers respond that they clean their lenses by exhaling onto them and wiping the fog off with their shirt.

Unfortunately, this all-too-common practice can actually damage your eyeglasses. Our experts at Overland Optical Family Eye Care, with optical stores in , St. Charles, Maryland Heights, and the entire city of St. Louis, , Missouri, share the following tips on the best way to clean your glasses.

Eyesight is precious. So are your eyeglasses.

Everyone appreciates the value of clear vision and the importance of doing everything possible to keep your vision safe and healthy. If you think of your eyeglasses as an investment towards your sharp vision, you’ll treat them with the care they deserve.

In addition to purchasing frames for your prescription eyeglasses, you may have chosen to coat the lenses with anti-glare, UV protection, and anti-scratch features. While these coatings are generally durable, they aren’t 100% damage-proof. Cleaning your lenses improperly can cause minor scratches.

What’s the worst way to clean eyeglasses?

The following cleaning solutions or methods rank as the absolute worst ways to treat your eyeglasses, because they can strip the lenses of their coatings and leave fine marks that can create a visual haze.

Window/glass cleaner
Ammonia
Bleach
Vinegar or lemon juice
Toothpaste
Tissues or napkins
Paper towels
Exhaling onto the lenses
Your shirt

What are the best ways to clean eyeglasses?

Keeping your lenses clean and clear is an essential part of optimizing your vision! The best cleansers to use include water, rubbing alcohol, dishwashing liquid, microfiber cloth, and special optical wipes.

Once you’re armed with the right substances, follow these guidelines:

Run your glasses under lukewarm water (NOT hot water).
Using a small drop of dish soap on your fingertips, rub both sides of the lenses and nose pads gently.
Rinse the eyeglasses with warm water and dry gently with a clean microfiber cloth. Because microfiber doesn’t leave lint behind, your lenses should be sparkling clean.
Keep individually-wrapped optical wipes handy so you can clean your eyeglasses throughout the day, as needed. Alternatively, spritz glasses cleaner or even rubbing alcohol from a spray bottle onto the lenses and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

We offer a full line of optical products

Need to stock up on wipes or a spray bottle of solution made especially for cleaning your glasses? Stop by our vision care centers in Overland, St. Charles, Maryland Heights, and the entire city of St. Louis, , Missouri, to make sure you have all the quality eyewear products and accessories you need!