OPTX Optometry - Los Angeles & Valencia

What are the advantages of glass lenses over plastic lenses?

Plastic lenses are lighter and have 3 x the impact resistance of glass while glass lenses are thinner.

Why do we become more "far-sighted" as we grow older?

This is due to a progressive change that occurs within the natural lens of the eye and is called Presbyopia. Although similar to far-sightedness in its effect, these two conditions are not identical. Please see far-sightedness and presbyopia for more information.

What should I do if my contact lenses feel dry?

It is always wise to carry contact lens comfort drops in your handbag or back pocket. The preservative-free single use drops are best recommended and may be used as and when required for extra comfort. Environments to watch out for are smoky and dusty places, gyms, where working out causes your body temperature to rise and eyes to dry out as a result, air-conditioned and heated offices, especially when coupled with staring at a computer all day and long-distance driving. Take care to only use drops specified for use with contact lenses and ask your Optometrist if you are unsure.

What are polarized lenses?

These are special tinted lenses that polarize light as it passes through. This means that light from only certain planes is allowed to pass through while the rest is eliminated. Visually, the effect would be to get rid of unwanted stray light. This can be quite useful for the avid fisherman, for example, who wants to see just beneath the surface of the water without having to worry about distracting reflections from the surface. They can be made with or without prescription, but may take slightly longer to put together as they need to be ordered. Ask your dispenser for more information on these lenses.

Can my contact lenses get 'lost' behind my eyeball?

No, this can NEVER happen as the eyeball has a 'safety net' situated underneath both eyelids. This 'safety net' is a membrane called the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is a continuous membrane enveloping the outer portion of the eyeball as well.