Check out our new HEPA Air Filters/UV Light Sanitation Units we purchased for each examination room, for your safety. Oh, the things you get excited about in 2020 :P
What is Sight Eyecare doing differently post-COVID?
Just a reminder that we are still taking COVID very seriously at our office. We check staff temperatures daily. Our doors are still locked to those without appointments, to ensure that traffic in our office is very minimal to non-existent. Masks are required. We require that all our patients pass a COVID screening/temp check before they are seen. All touched surfaces are thoroughly disinfected between patients. We also disinfect frames after they are tried on, one by one. We have time for this because we are only seeing half the number of patients per day as we were pre-COVID. Your safety is very important to us!
Remote working eyestrain with our "new normal"
Now that remote learning/working are becoming our new norm, I have had a lot of questions about "blue blocker eyeglasses" and if the $20 ones from Amazon will help with eyestrain and headaches. My answer: I guess they won't hurt? HOWEVER, honestly, most the time there is actually a small prescription present (or small imbalance between the eyes) that is contributing to this eyestrain that alone can make quite a difference. We also work with a great lab that can make blue blocker lenses with your Rx in them that actually blocks almost all of that "bad blue light" (whereas most other products on the market only block ~10%). The feedback we've had from our patients with these types of lenses with an actual Rx in them has been incredible! We'd love to help you eliminate your eyestrain and headaches as much as possible if we're able! And, here is a cute kiddo sending out some emails to his clients, while he works from home :P
Call to set up an eyeglass "shopping" spree!
Need new eyeglasses or sunnies? Give us a call so we can set up a one on one browsing appointment for you! All frames are properly disinfected after try ons, for your safety. And you would be the only one in the office browsing! Yes, it’s true! You basically have our shop all to yourself for 30 minutes! A nice little sanitary, “Covid19-world” shopping experience for you! Just don’t forget your mask! ;)
Importance of Eye Exams for Children: An Interview with Dr. Neka Amato
Check out Dr. Neka’s recent interview with Parents Step Up, regarding the importance of eye exams at an early age!
I am very excited to get to work with Dr. Neka Amato to bring useful information on eye health; especially our children's eye health. Dr. Neka grew up in Boulder County and is a proud Niwot High School graduate. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from CU Boulder and her Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University. Dr. Neka has been practicing optometry since 2009 and absolutely loves it! She opened her own private practice, Sight Eyecare, here in Longmont in 2015. She lives in Longmont with her husband and son.
Q- At what age should we get our children’s eyes checked for the first time?
A- Between 6-12 months. There is a program called “InfantSEE,” through which eye doctors who specialize in infant examinations perform this first eye exam for free. If you visit the website infantsee.org, you can view the list of “InfantSEE” providers in your area. I usually start seeing them at my office at age 4 (for what is usually their 2nd exam).
Q- How often should we get our children’s vision checked?
A- After that initial exam just before age 1, the next exam is recommended at age 4, then age 6, and then every year after that. This is assuming all findings are normal.
Q- At what age does our vision fully develop?
A- There is a “critical period” stage of visual development, which is generally accepted to be from birth to around age 7. During this period of time, a child develops the neural connections necessary for vision. For this reason, it is crucial that a child have an eye exam before age 7 (preferably much before age 7). Let’s say a 3 year old has his first eye exam and has a large prescription in just the right eye. With eyeglasses and patching of the left eye, there is a very good chance that the R eye will eventually learn to see very well (20/20). However, let’s pretend that same child didn’t have his first eye exam until age 9. That large prescription in that R eye would still be there, but the neural connections will not have formed properly during the “critical period,” making it likely impossible for that child to ever see 20/20 out of that eye, even with eyeglasses. This is termed “amblyopia” or “lazy eye.” This would compromise his depth perception as well. The same thing would occur if a significant congenital cataract (for example) went undetected for that many years.
Q- Are vision problems reversible?
A- It depends on the vision problem in question. For example, if a child needs eyeglasses for nearsightedness (in which distance vision is blurry without the glasses on), this is something that generally does not get better with time and is not reversible. There are a few conditions that can cause problems with the near focusing ability and therefore can create difficulty with reading/computer work, and these issues can sometimes be considered “reversible” or “fixed” via vision therapy with a qualified vision therapist. Some eye diseases can cause an irreversible loss of vision (for example, macular degeneration and glaucoma), though treatments can usually be performed that may prevent further permanent vision loss. Some eye diseases can cause vision loss that is then reversible with certain procedures/surgeries (for example, cataracts). So, it really is hard to give a great answer to this question, as it very much depends on the diagnosis.
Q- Can an eye exam help discover other health problems? If so, like what?
A- Yes, a comprehensive eye exam would evaluate the full health of the eyes. Childhood eye disease is rare, but very important to diagnose early. Such diseases include congenital cataracts, congenital glaucoma, retinal dystrophies, retinal malignancies, and more.
Q- What types of things can hurt our vision?
A- Excess exposure to the sun without proper protection over long periods of time can potentially lead to earlier-onset cataracts and/or macular degeneration. Hence, the importance of a good pair of sunglasses. Smoking has a link to cataracts and macular degeneration as well. There is some evidence that an excess amount of near/computer work at an early age could potentially contribute to nearsightedness earlier in life, and a need for full-time eyeglasses earlier in life. For this reason, it is best to limit screen time at an early age and encourage instead more time playing outdoors.
Q- What can be done to improve our vision?
A- Unfortunately, there are no vitamins or natural remedies that can make one’s vision better when there is a need for full-time eyeglass wear. However, limiting screen time in childhood and encouraging more play time outdoors may provide some benefit. If a child has a high amount of myopia (nearsightedness), there are some newer treatments available (termed “myopia control treatment”) that may possibly delay its progression (via use of multifocal contact lenses and certain prescription eye drops).
Q- If my child is non-verbal or has a disability can I still get their eyes checked accurately? Would I go to any eye Dr or would I need to reach out to a specialist?
A- There are different tools that an optometrist can use to determine if someone needs glasses, without any response from the patient. Also, the health check of the eyes would still be possible as well. Most general optometrists would likely be able to perform an exam on a non-verbal patient or one with disabilities, but it would be best to discuss this with the office before scheduling to ensure it is something the doctor is comfortable with.
Q- Are there any programs to help pay for eye exams; and glasses if needed, if you do not have insurance; and or, can not afford it?
A- The best option may be to apply to become a CO Medicaid recipient. Through CO Medicaid, an exam should be covered once/year for all ages. For those under 20, eyeglasses are also covered. If this is not an option, there are other programs that may be available in one’s area. For example, Denver Bronco Von Miller started a local charity several years ago called “Von’s Vision.” Through this wonderful program of his, complimentary eyecare and eyeglasses may be provided to children of lower income families in the Denver area.
Q- What are three things you want people; especially parents, to know about eye health?
A-
There is a “critical period” when visual cortical development takes place, and it occurs roughly during the first 7 years of life. For this reason, it is very important to have the first eye examination done very early in life.
The “vision screening” done at a pediatrician’s office is not as thorough as a comprehensive eye exam performed by an eye doctor. I’ve seen children who have passed the screening with the pediatrician, but who actually really need glasses or even had something going on with the health of the eyes. I’ve also seen the reverse, in which a child failed the pediatrician’s vision screening, but saw me for an eye exam and passed.
It is certainly possible to do an eye exam even with the child not being able to respond to “which is clearer, 1 or 2?” I have learned that a lot of parents assume that because their child is nonverbal or very shy, they cannot have a proper eye exam. This is not the case.
Helpful websites:
InfantSEE®, a public health program, managed by Optometry Cares® -The AOA Foundation, is designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an essential part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, participating doctors of optometry provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment between 6 and 12 months of age free of charge regardless of family income or access to insurance coverage
The mission of Von's Vision is to provide low-income Denver children with the eye care and corrective eyewear they need to be their best in the classroom and in life.
Address: 1610 Pace Street, Unit 600 Longmont, CO 80504
Phone Number: 720 204-6891
Email: info@sighteyecare.com
We are "kind of" open again
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a strange, unprecedented time for all of us. We have certainly missed having our amazing patients in the office and having the opportunity to help them with their eye care needs. Now that the Boulder County is beginning to open up its doors again to some businesses and medical practices like ours, we wanted to discuss some of the health precautions we will be taking here at Sight Eyecare now that we plan on a partial reopening on May 5th. In accordance with safety measures recommended by the CDC and the American Optometric Association, here’s what we will be doing:
1. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Our doors will still be locked and only unlocked for those with a reserved exam appointment time (no guests) Tuesday through Friday. This means you should be the ONLY person in the office when you come in for your exam (other than 1-2 staff members). We will be spacing out our schedule to ensure that there is plenty of time for sanitizing between patients (see 4). Since our doors will be locked, walk in frame browsing will not be permitted at this time and will need to be done at the time of your appointment.
2. Wearing Masks
All patients will be required to wear a mask in our office. Let us know if you do not have a mask, and we can help you locate one. Everyone on our team will be wearing masks.
3. Illness
An “illness screening” questionnaire will be required before anyone is admitted into our office for an examination. We will take each patient’s temperature prior to the exam and will be turning away anybody with a fever. Our staff will be required to stay home if ill.
4. In-depth office disinfection
All areas of our office will be heavily cleaned and disinfected throughout the day. All equipment, touched surfaces, pens, and eyewear will be sterilized between each patient.
5. Curbside Pickup/free CL shipping
We will be doing curbside pickup of eyeglasses whenever possible and will continue doing FREE shipping on contact lens boxes to your home!
We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time and look forward to seeing you again soon! If you have any questions or concerns at all, please do no hesitate to reach out to us.
Sight Eyecare's COVID pandemic plan
The health and safety of our patients, community, and staff is our top priority. We have been monitoring the evolution of COVID-19 and are taking precautionary measures to help protect our people. Starting Tuesday, March 17, we will be closing for routine eye care. We are happy to add you to our routine eye exam “waitlist” and will contact you once we know when our doors will be open for routine care again. Here is what we will be doing for you during this time:
EYE EMERGENCIES: If you are having an eye emergency (sudden floaters/flashes, pain, sudden vision loss, etc) and you are an established patient at our office, please leave us a voicemail and Dr. Neka will get back to you soon to determine if it’d be best for you to be seen at her office or elsewhere.
PICK-UPS: For those of you with eyeglass/contact lens orders that still need to be picked up and are paid for, we will be shipping them to your home at no charge.
CONTACT LENS ORDERS: If you need contact lenses during these next few weeks, please reach out to us. We will provide FREE shipping to your home, with hope of keeping your business local and keeping our doors open.
EYEGLASS ORDERS: We are putting a hold on trying on frames in our office at this time unless absolutely necessary, for the safety of our community. If you have ordered eyeglasses from our office in the past, we can order a new pair for you and will provide FREE SHIPPING on these orders.
We understand it may be an inconvenience to delay your routine eye examination, but we have decided to prioritize the well-being of our community in order to try to prevent the spread of this virus so we don’t overwhelm our hospitals all at once. We hope the best for your family’s health and safety at this time.
Again, please contact us during this time via phone at 720-204-6891 or email at info@sighteyecare.com
Presenting our BRAND NEW retinal camera!
We have a BRAND NEW retinal camera at our office that allows us to get a baseline photograph of the inside of your eyes and also allows us to monitor changes over time. Because the retina is the only place in the body where we can see the blood vessels, these photos can occasionally shed light on certain possible systemic conditions. These photos are done at no charge for those without insurance and those with CO Medicaid, and are recommended for all new patients. They are STRONGLY recommended for those with a family history of eye disease (especially glaucoma and macular degeneration), diabetes, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol.
