Frequently Asked Questions in Newberg OR

Generally speaking our recommendation is to have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. In some cases your eyes may need to be checked more frequently.

Blurry vision, eyestrain, and fatigue towards the end of the day are the most common and recognizable signs that you may need a change in your prescription.

In short, yes. You may have specific conditions that could make it unsafe for you to wear contact lenses but this would be determined during your exam.

You may have dry eye disorder or another condition resulting in an insufficient or imbalanced tear film. There are many conditions that can contribute to these symptoms and an exam is the best way to determine the underlying cause.

To protect your eyes, you can either wear UV-blocking contact lenses or sunglasses. Most prescription glasses (even clear lenses) also offer some UV protection. It's crucial to remember that not all sunglasses are the same. It's important to choose a reputable brand to ensure the lenses offer proper full spectrum UV protection.

As with most things in healthcare, it depends on the individual patient, their age, and their health risks. While some conditions, like diabetes, require yearly dilation, patients with no known risk factors may not need it. It’s often helpful to have a baseline dilation at some point. Nowadays, we also have advanced retinal imaging technology that can often replace dilation to view important areas and structures of the eye.

This is a layered question, and the answer is: it depends. The literature shows that a patient’s prescription often changes throughout life, with certain milestones where vision typically changes or declines. For example, presbyopia occurs in the 40s when the lens hardens and loses elasticity, causing many people to need reading glasses. However, there is evidence that people with progressive myopia—especially during adolescence—can be fitted with special contact lenses designed to slow myopia progression in certain cases.

Having blurry vision in the morning is not uncommon. The most likely cause is waking up with some degree of dry eye. As we produce fewer tears while we sleep, our corneas can become dehydrated, and a dehydrated cornea is harder to see through, leading to blurry vision. As you continue to blink—or supplement with artificial tears—the cornea rehydrates and clear vision typically returns. Additionally, poor sleep or waking up in a drowsy state can contribute to temporary visual disruptions.

At first, try blinking to remove the foreign body. If it remains bothersome, it may be lodged in the cornea or under the eyelid in the conjunctival sac. In these cases, an evaluation as soon as possible is necessary.

In the office, we can often use irrigation to remove a foreign body from under the lids or medicated drops to soften the cornea if the foreign body is lodged. Sometimes, forceps are needed to remove an embedded foreign body. If the foreign body is large enough, a bandage contact lens may be placed after removal over the cornea to promote healing, the patient may be prescribed antibiotics prophylactically.

It is also important to seek immediate care if the foreign body is metallic, as metal will leave a rust ring in the cornea that will need to be removed often with an AglerBrush. Additionally, if you have been exposed to chemicals or solutions, flush the eye immediately and seek an eye health evaluation as soon as possible.

Generally speaking, an optometrist focuses on diagnosing and managing eye diseases in their early to moderate stages and is heavily involved in prescribing glasses and contact lenses. An ophthalmologist, on the other hand, typically manages more advanced eye conditions and focuses more on surgical treatments.

Literature shows that the human eye struggles with prolonged exposure to digital devices, often leading to dry eye, eye strain, and fatigue. Studies indicate that people experience relief when wearing eyeglasses that not only have an accurate prescription but also feature lenses with a blue-blocking anti-reflective (AR) coating to filter out high-energy blue light.

In addition, it’s recommended to follow the 20-20-20 rule:

Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds, and remember to blink regularly to help recoat the eye’s surface with fresh tears.

Cataracts typically cause a gradual decline in clarity. Many people notice more difficulty seeing well in low light settings as well as increased difficulty with oncoming headlights when driving at night. Color vision is often reduced as well, though most patients don’t notice this until after their cataracts have been removed and normal color vision is restored.

LASIK and PRK, similar procedures, are great options for many people who want the freedom from glasses and contact lenses. These procedures are effective for treating myopia, astigmatism, and mild hyperopia. Around 80% of patients are good candidates for the procedure. However, some factors that limit candidacy include being under 18, thinner or abnormally shaped corneas, dry eye syndrome, high magnitude prescription, current cataracts, and being pregnant or nursing. We see patients for refractive surgery consultations and can make the appropriate referral based on your individual testing and preferences.

As research continues to grow, the literature shows that foods high in antioxidants, such as kale and blueberries, are excellent for protecting the macula, a key structure in the eye. In addition to antioxidants, foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and chia seeds, are beneficial for the tear film in the eye. Vitamins that support macular health and protection, such as those found in the AREDS formula 2, lutein, and zeaxanthin supplements, are also highly recommended. Overall, eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is essential for maintaining good eye health.

Glaucoma can develop at any age, but its prevalence increases as you get older. While there is no surefire way to completely prevent glaucoma, research has shown that early diagnosis is the key to preserving vision. Since glaucoma is often asymptomatic in its early stages, regular eye exams are vital for detecting it early and managing it effectively. Early detection is the best way to protect your vision.

The sudden onset of flashes and floaters can be alarming and unsettling. While they can sometimes be benign, we always recommend coming in for an evaluation, as they may indicate a more serious condition, such as a posterior vitreous detachment or retinal detachment. It's important to note that retinal detachments are time-sensitive and require prompt attention. Early evaluation and referral to a specialist are crucial for preserving vision and maintaining ocular health.

The best way to care for your lenses is to avoid using abrasive solutions like alcohol or wiping them with a t-shirt or rag, as this can cause scratches and damage the protective coatings. Instead, use a mild dish soap to remove grease and dirt, or an approved lens cleaner—we have small bottles available at the office, so feel free to stop by and grab a few. It’s also important to clean your lenses with a microfiber cloth to prevent minor scratches.

Yes. Vision insurance offers coverage towards routine eye care and often covers a portion of the exam and glasses or contact lenses. If you are diagnosed with a medical eye condition such as cataracts, dry eye, eye infection, etc., the exam would be billed to your medical insurance instead of your vision insurance. Some patients even have dual coverage and we can coordinate benefits through the various plans.

There are many things that can cause red eyes, including allergies, viral infections, bacterial infections, foreign bodies, dry eye, certain systemic diseases, excessive alcohol consumption, corneal abrasions and issues related to contact lenses (like poor fit, overuse, old contacts or contact solution problems). In some cases, the cause may be idiopathic, meaning the exact cause is unknown.

Extended screen time may not have a permanent effect on your eyes, but we do see many patients in our office who are symptomatic from prolonged use. While we don’t observe any lasting damage, we do see patients struggling with digital eye strain, dry eye syndrome, focusing problems, and a need for more frequent prescription updates.

Children can be evaluated as early as six months of age, and it is recommended that they have an eye evaluation at both six months and two years of age. At Owen Eye Care, we are not set up to see patients that young. Generally, we begin seeing children around ages of 4 to 5, when they are better able to participate in the exam and provide some verbal feedback, allowing for a more accurate assessment.

We recommend that children have an eye exam prior to starting first grade. From ages 5 to 17, children grow rapidly, and with that growth, we often see changes in vision that may require correction. For this reason, we follow the American Optometric Association’s guidelines and recommend yearly eye exams during these developmental years.

Eyelid twitching, medically known as myokymia, can have a variety of causes, including fatigue, vitamin deficiencies, excess alcohol consumption, dehydration, excessive caffeine intake, and stress. If symptoms persist we recommend further evaluation.

Some children may hide their need for glasses by overcompensating with their focusing system, making it difficult to determine if corrective eyewear is necessary. Common signs to watch for include constant squinting, difficulty recognizing details at a distance, headaches—especially later in the day—and favoring one eye over the other, or constant forehead or eye rubbing.

While some people may adapt to wearing an outdated prescription or going without correction, we recommend keeping your prescription up to date. Clear vision helps reduce the risk of eye strain, prescription progression, headaches, and visual fatigue.

Most people tend to pick sunglasses based on frame style, lens tint, and clarity. While fit and style are certainly factors to consider, it’s equally essential to ensure the lenses offer strong ultraviolet (UV) protection.

Lower-quality sunglasses may lack full-spectrum UV protection or rely on spray-on coatings that can wear off over time. At Owen Eye Care, we stand behind the brands we carry as they offer reliable protection against harmful UV rays – rays that among other things contribute to cataract development and age-related macular degeneration.

Nearsightedness, also known as myopia, is when a person sees better up close compared to their distance vision. It is a refractive error that we treat with minus (concave) lenses.

Farsightedness, also known as hyperopia, is when a person sees better at a distance compared to their near vision. It is a refractive error that we treat with plus (convex) lenses.

While “pink eye” isn’t a medical term commonly used in optometry, the general public often uses it to describe a highly contagious eye condition characterized by a red, inflamed, and watery eye more common in children. In many cases, these symptoms are caused by a condition known as Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC)—a viral eye infection affecting both the conjunctiva and the cornea.

Although EKC often resolves on its own, it can be extremely uncomfortable. As a result, patients frequently seek medical care to reduce inflammation. By calming the inflammation, we not only help relieve symptoms but may also reduce the contagiousness of the condition.