Frequently Asked Questions

Browse through some of our most frequently asked questions to learn more about our services and eye care. If you have any other questions, feel free to fill out our online form and we will be sure to get back to you right away. You can also call to schedule an appointment for an eye exam or other service throughout the Buffalo, NY area in Elma/Depew, West Seneca/Orchard Park, and Williamsville/Amherst, NY. We look forward to hearing from you today!

One of our most frequently asked questions is how often you actually need an eye exam. Some people think that it’s when they need new glasses, others think only when their visions gets blurry. While the answer can depend, we recommend recommend getting an eye exam every few years to be safe. When you are younger, you can wait a little more, but it is still a good idea to get a record going. As you age, eye exams become increasingly important in order to catch eye diseases early.

While the main component of any eye exam is to determine the prescription needed for your eyeglasses, we will also check on your eye’s health, including checking for eye diseases. If your prescription has changed you will need new glasses or contacts. The entire eye exam process usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Children should have their vision tested before the age of 1 to make sure there are not any immediate needs for attention. After that, it is recommended that they get their eyes checked again around the age 5 or 6. In most cases a physician or school nurse will perform this checkup. However, if you notice your child struggling in school or learning, a professional eye exam should be conducted sooner.

As more and more screens enter our life, digital eye strain will become ever more prevalent. We often experience digital eye strain after 2 or more hours of digital device use. Symptoms of eye strain can include dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision and neck or shoulder pain. Be sure to talk to our eye doctor about ways you can prevent digital eye strain at your next eye exam appointment.

Non-prescription readers are typically purchased over the counter without an appointment. They are pretty generic, and finding one that works for your vision is usually a process of trial and error. Prescription eyewear can be customized to accommodate your specific eye needs and can be made with a variety of lens coatings that protect from UV rays or computer screens.

An anti-reflective coating (AR coating) can be added to your lenses, eliminating the white glare spots that are sometimes present with flash photography. AR coatings can also improve your vision by allowing more light to pass through the lens. This helps others see your eyes better as well.

High-index lenses are made with thinner edges, making them significantly slimmer in appearance. This can come in handy for those with prescriptions higher than +/- 2.00. Certain eyeglass frames can conceal the thickness of lenses as well. For example, thicker frames that are rounder in shape can draw attention away from the thickness of the lens.