List of Services
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General Information about Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are prescription medical devices that are worn on the cornea of the eye. In order to prescribe contact lenses an eye doctor must evaluate the health of the eye, determine the proper contact lens prescription based on each individual patient's different glasses prescription, vision needs, corneal health and curvature and examine the contact lens on the eye to ensure proper alignment with the cornea. A contact lens evaluation is a separate part of...Read More
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Soft Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses are made of materials that hold water. They are available in a wide variety of designs. Innovations in lens manufacturing allow for almost any prescription to be made into a soft contact lens. Characteristics of soft contact lenses: Easier to adapt to than gas permeable contact lenses Available in many designs and almost any prescription Good vision for most prescriptions, however, some prescriptions (like high astigmatism) may give variable vision as the contact...Read More
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Firm or Gas Permeable Contact Lenses
Introduced first in the 1940s, firm contact lenses have evolved dramatically. Today's lenses are made of materials that allow more oxygen to reach the eye surface, or cornea. For this reason they are called rigid gas permeable contact lenses. Characteristics of gas permeable contact lenses: Individually designed and created for each patient based on their specific eye measurements Often allow more oxygen to the eye than many soft contact lenses Provide crisper vision than many soft...Read More
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Disposable or Frequent Replacement Contact Lenses
Technically, disposable contact lenses are those that are worn only once and then thrown away. These type of contact lenses are called daily replacement contact lenses or dailies. However, this term has come to refer to any type of contact lens that is replaced on a regular basis. The most common replacement schedules are every two weeks and every one month but quarterly replacement contact lenses also available. Since a contact lens rests directly on...Read More
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Contact Lenses for Astigmatism
Contact lenses are not all made the same. Standard contact lenses correct for either nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). These lenses are "spherical", containing one uniform power across the lens. But for those persons who have corneas with astigmatism, a condition causing light to focus on more than one point behind the cornea, specialized contact lenses are needed. Toric contact lenses are lenses that contain both a curvature to correct for myopia or hyperopia as...Read More
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Contact Lenses for Patients Over 40
Patients who are over 40 years old develop "presbyopia", which is an inability to focus at things up close due to changes of the lens inside the eye. Since patients with presbyopia often are nearsighted or farsighted as well, contact lenses have been designed to correct both for distance and near vision. They are called bifocal or multifocal contact lenses, depending on the design. Many designs of bifocal and multifocal contact lenses are available today....Read More
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Keys to Successful Contact Lens Wear
Click here for a video on proper soft contact lens care and insertion and removal technique. Recommendations for Contact Lens Wearers from the American Optometric Association Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses. Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by your optometrist. Rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in sufficient contact lens solution to completely cover the lens. Store lenses in the proper lens storage case...Read More
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Contact Lens Dictionary
GENERAL EYE DEFINITIONS Cornea: the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris (the colored part of the eye) and the pupil. Contact lenses are placed on the cornea. Myopia: nearsightedness. The eye is too long or the cornea is too curved and the light rays focus in front of the retina, causing blur. It is corrected with minus powered lenses. Hyperopia: farsightedness. The eye is too short or the cornea is not...Read More
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What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a term used to describe a group of conditions that result from inadequate wetting and lubrication of the eye. While millions of people worldwide experience dry eye, it is not always easy to diagnose and can easily be mistaken for other conditions such as infections and allergies. Dry eye is a multi-factorial disease of the tears and ocular surface that results in symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential...Read More
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Dry Eye Helpful Tips
Here are some helpful tips if you suffer from dry eye syndrome: 1. Wear sunglasses outside. This will not only reduce the aggravating glare, but will provide a "windshield" to help block the drying wind effect.2. Stay hydrated - drink plenty of water and fluids.3. In your bedroom - add a humidifier and turn OFF the fans!4. Aim vents in cars away from your face.5. Take frequent "blink breaks" when using a computer. When you concentrate on something like a computer...Read More
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Frames at Five Points Optical
FIVE POINTS EYE CARE CENTER ADULT FRAME LINES Silhouette Marchon Kenneth Cole Vera Bradley Lacoste Ray-Ban Tory Burch Michael Kors Coach Armani Exchange Nike Tura Humphrey's Brendel Costa del Mar FIVE POINTS EYE CARE CENTER KID'S FRAME LINES Nike Disney X Games TurboFlex At Five Points Eye Care Center we make it our mission to carry only high-quality eyewear that is both fashionable and comfortable. We make every attempt to keep our styles current so that each frame has both...Read More
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Lens Choices at Five Points Optical
Lens choices used to be simple - "Do you want single vision, bifocals or trifocals?" Today, with increased demand and available technology, there are literally hundreds of lens designs and thousands of combinations available. Choosing the correct lenses for your needs may seem like an easy decision but when faced with the huge array of possibilities, assistance is often required. Our office prides itself on being able to offer professional advice in this area at...Read More
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Computer Glasses
So many of us have learned the benefit of having more than one pair of shoes in our closet. We certainly would not go jogging in a pair of leather wingtips, and likely would not appear at a black-tie affair in sneakers. There are eyeglass lenses available that are specifically manufactured to perform specific duties. You may benefit from having multiple pairs - at least one pair for general use and perhaps one or more...Read More
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Eyeglass Materials at Five Points Optical
Many different eyeglass materials are available today. Gone are the days of simplicity in which glass, or even plastic was king. Today's lenses offer superior optical qualities, thinner profiles, lighter weight and safer impact standards. Lenses come with options ranging from variable, photochromic lens tints to anti-reflective coatings. Your prescription, frame selection and intended use help guide us in selecting the lens material that is most appropriately suited to your needs. Not all lens designs...Read More
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Polarized Lenses and Anti-Reflection Coating
Ordinary sunglasses reduce the amount of visible light entering your eyes. Your eyes already have that ability by controlling the size of your pupils. Our pupils get bigger in dim light to let more light into the eye and get smaller in bright light to limit the amount of light into the eye. By limiting the kind of light that enters your eyes, polarization provides a level of light management that ordinary sunglasses do not...Read More
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Sunglasses and UV Protection
Fashion aside, sunglasses serve a true function — protecting eyes from the harmful rays produced by the sun. You are probably well aware of the need to protect your skin from the sun, but it is equally important to protect your eyes. Ultraviolet Light's DangersThe principle danger posed by the sun is in the form of ultraviolet radiation, or for short, UV radiation. UV radiation is a component of solar energy, but it can also...Read More
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What does it mean to have Low Vision?
Low vision is defined as insufficient vision to be able to do the things you want to do. Click here for a quiz from the National Eye Institute to see if you have Low Vision Low Vision and Legal Blindness Low vision is not the same as blindness. Blindness is a total lack of vision. Unfortunately, many people become confused as some people with low vision are classified as "legally blind". "Legally blind" is actually a legal term...Read More
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Head Trauma, Stroke and Vision Rehabilitation
Brain trauma occurs nearly once every sixteen seconds in the United States. About thirty thousand people each year are hospitalized for other forms of cerebral accidents and diseases like multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. After a neurological trauma or event, both the muscular system involving eye movement and the system that regulates focusing can be affected as the flow of input from the brain is altered or halted. This can lead to a variety of...Read More
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Vision Rehabilitation Website Links
Lighthouse Foundation Lighthouse International has been a leader in meeting the evolving needs of people who are dealing with, or are at risk for, vision loss and blindness. Through services, education, research, and advocacy, the Lighthouse enables people with low vision and blindness to enjoy safe, independent and productive lives. Bioptic Driving Glasses A bioptic is a lens system with a telescope attached to a pair of glasses. The telescope is above the line of...Read More
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What does Low Vision Rehabilitation do?
To determine if you suffer from low vision, a low vision rehabilitation evaluation must first be performed. Dr. Jon Forché uses special examination techniques and prescribes special lenses and low vision aids based specifically for the needs of the patient. A low vision rehabilitation evaluation is focused on determining a patient's potential for visual rehabilitation through the use of specifically prescribed eyewear, specialized training and/or low vision devices. This might include using special magnification devices,...Read More
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What is Vision Therapy?
Vision Therapy (also known as vision training, visual therapy, or visual training) is therapy involving procedures (eye exercises) which are aimed at improving visual skills such as helping the eyes work together as a team, binocular coordination and depth perception, focusing, acuity (clarity of sight), and "hand-eye" or "vision-body" coordination. Vision therapy can involve a variety of procedures to correct neurophysiological or neurosensory visual dysfunctions and is important for young patients with amblyopia or "lazy...Read More
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Who Might Need a Vision Therapy Evaluation?
Children and adults that suffer from the following symptoms may benefit from a vision therapy evaluation with Dr. Meg Brya and our trained vision therapists: Losing place when reading or looking from the board to paper Blurry vision while reading Avoidance of tasks requiring sustained visual attention Difficulty remembering spelling words or math facts Reversals of letters, numbers or words after age seven Decreased reading comprehension Sloppy handwriting and excessive erasures Complaints of headaches or eye-strain after reading Rubbing the eyes while reading Holding books...Read More
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What Conditions Can Vision Therapy Treat?
What Conditions can Vision Therapy Treat?Vision Therapy is a behavioral approach to correcting various eye problems that affect one's ability to receive and process visual information. A person may have "perfect" vision while reading an eye chart, pass a vision screening by reading 20/20, and still have developmental vision problems. The areas most often affected are focusing, eye teaming, eye movements and visual processing. Vision Therapy is an individualized treatment program designed to improve and...Read More
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Vision and Learning in the Classroom
What can Teachers do? Detect vision problems: often the teacher is the first to notice visual difficulty. Look for signs and symptoms such as: Complaints of blur Reduced comprehension Squinting Eye turning out or in Rubbing eyes Loss of place Eyes watering Covering one eye Getting close to the board Letters/words moving around Discomfort while reading Double Vision Holding work too close Headaches when reading Using finger to keep place Head movement when reading Skipping words ...Read More
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Vision Therapy Success Stories
Read below for some real stories about children who have been helped with our Vision Therapy program: "Carson (7-years-old) was behind in school and having problems understanding the work. Now, after vision therapy he is reading better and understands what he reads and is finally getting confidence in himself. I would definetly recommend the Vision Therapy program. Five Points Eye Care Vision Therapy program is great and I wish more parents knew about it. Many...Read More
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Vision Therapy and Kid's Vision Website Links
Do You See What I See? A Scientist's Journey Into 3-D In this interview on National Public Radio's "Fresh Air" program, Dr. Susan Barry, a neurobiologist, gives the listener a perspective of what it is like to be born with an eye turn and unable to see in 3-D. She explains how a developmental optometrist helped her retrain her eyes to allow her to see for the first time in 3-D, something she never thought possible. Dr. Susan...Read More
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Frequently Asked Questions about Corneal Refractive Therapy
How new is Corneal Refractive Therapy?Contact lens corneal reshaping is not a new concept. Previous corneal reshaping designs were only as successful as technology allowed. These days there are many advancements in technology available to help design the contact lenses required for orthokeratology. These include computerized corneal mapping, computerized manufacturing, and oxygen permeable contact lens materials that help to produce a therapeutic contact lens design like no other. Is Corneal Refractive Therapy permanent?No. It is temporary. If...Read More
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What is Corneal Refractive Therapy?
Corneal Refractive Therapy or CRT is a non-surgical procedure involving wearing specialized contact lenses while sleeping. The contact lenses reshape the cornea so that the patient sees well without contact lenses or glasses during the day. It is intended mainly for mild to moderately nearsighted patients who may also have small amounts of astigmatism. Corneal refractive therapy is a procedure principally used to help control nearsightedness (myopia) and certain amounts of astigmatism. In myopia and astigmatism,...Read More
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What To Expect With Corneal Refractive Therapy
Dr. Meg Brya, our Corneal Refractive Therapy specialist, will determine a patient's eligibility for the procedure during a consultation. Some levels of nearsightedness and astigmatism are too great to achieve successful results with corneal refractive therapy and there may be other indications or conditions that would prevent a patient from achieving clear vision with these specialized contact lenses. The following steps/considerations are involved in a Corneal Refractive Therapy consultation: The patient's prescription has to fall within...Read More
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Visual Field Examination
By examining a person's peripheral vision, a visual field test can help us diagnose many different conditions ranging from ocular migraines to macular degeneration to glaucoma and even brain tumors. A visual field test consists of a series of lights flashing at varying intensities in random positions around the patient's peripheral vision, with some lights occasionally flashing in front. While looking straight ahead, the patient depresses a button every time they perceive a flash of...Read More
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Optical Coherence Tomographer (OCT)
The Optical Coherence Tomographer or OCT uses special light to scan the optic nerve and retina, creating detailed images that can help doctors manage glaucoma, other optic nerve diseases and retinal diseases like macular degeneration and macular edema (swelling). OCT is one of the latest high-tech diagnostic tools in the defense against glaucoma.Glaucoma, usually indicated by abnormally high pressure inside the eye, can develop into blindness. OCT can help us determine a patient's potential to...Read More
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Digital Retinal Photography
Digital retinal photographs are pictures of the inside of your eye taken by a special digital retinal camera. The photographs are used by the doctor to monitor and identify any changes in the health of your retina and the optic nerve. The retina and optic nerve need to be healthy in order for you to see clearly. Many systemic diseases can affect the retina, including: diabetes, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol, and AIDS. The photographs show...Read More
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Corneal Topography
The cornea is the highly curved clear window on the front of the eye, right above the iris, the colored part of the eye. The cornea helps focus light on the retina and therefore plays a significant role in how well you see. As the curvature of this clear structure changes, both the way your contact lens fits and your prescription, can change. Understanding the curvature of the cornea is necessary to properly fit and...Read More
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Pachymetry
Pachymetry is the measurement of the thickness of the cornea. This special medical device is used to help with the diagnosis of glaucoma. One of the causes of glaucoma is having too much pressure inside the eye, which damages the optic nerve and causes loss of sight. When we measure the pressure inside the eye with tonometry, the readings can be affected by how thick or thin the cornea is; thick corneas can make the...Read More
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Gonioscopy
Gonioscopy is used to visualize the anterior chamber angle of the eye, whichis the front part of the eye between the cornea and the iris. This structure cannot be seen unless a special lens, called a gonioscopy lens, is placed on the eye. The doctor then uses the mirrors in the gonioscopy lens to assess the health of this portion of the eye. Gonioscopy is most often done if glaucoma is suspected. Before a diagnosis...Read More
