Keep up-to-date on the latest vision-related news and eye care events in our Practice. The items are displayed by year and month. To view older entries use the links in the box below to select the year and month you would like.
Don’t let your vision insurance benefits go to waste! Most plans reset at the start of the year, meaning unused coverage is lost. Here’s why it’s important to act now to protect your vision and save money.
Many vision insurance benefits expire at the end of the year, making now the best time to schedule your eye exam and use any remaining coverage for glasses or contacts. We’ll help you maximize your insurance benefits so you can head into the new year with healthy eyes and a clear view.
While contact lenses provide a great alternative to glasses, it’s best to use them both for flexibility and eye health. Optical Images explains how to balance both options.
Ortho-K has been shown to help control myopia and enable children to see better and participate in activities that may have been prohibited due to their vision or need for glasses.
Our dedicated team is at the forefront of myopia management, employing the latest research and technologies to not only correct vision but also slow myopia's progression
Some symptoms of eye allergies include dry, red, itchy, irritated, watery eyes. Eye allergy symptoms are often accompanied by sneezing or runny nose.
Preparing adequately to protect our vision is essential as we anticipate the awe-inspiring celestial event on April 8.
There are certain treatments that can slow the progression—as well as low vision aids that can improve the quality of life for a person living with impaired vision.
Ortho-K is a revolutionary way to improve your vision and give you the freedom to live your life without the hassle of glasses or daytime contacts.
If you have keratoconus, a bulging of the cornea, scleral lenses offer a successful solution.
Both Type I and Type 2 diabetes can have damaging effects on your eyes, especially if your blood sugar levels aren’t properly managed.
Scleral lenses are often used to correct vision problems that can't be corrected with regular contact lenses or glasses, such as keratoconus,
Ortho-K has been shown to help control myopia and enable teenagers and children to see clearer and participate in activities, such as sports and social events.
Scleral lenses are larger and cover the entire cornea, providing a more stable and comfortable fit.
Discover the significance of early treatment of myopia and explore the popular and effective vision correction method known as orthokeratology (Ortho-K). At Optical Images, we provide a range of treatment options to address myopia and help your child achieve optimal vision and eye health.
In severe cases of UV radiation overexposure can also do permanent damage to your central vision, and the more your eyes are exposed to UV rays over time.
If you experience red, itchy, and irritated eyes while walking in nature, then you're likely suffering from eye allergies
If you have cataracts, here are 5 things to discuss with your eye doctor before having the procedure.
High myopia – severe nearsightedness – is associated with an increased risk of serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can cause severe vision loss, but early detection can help preserve your vision.
Here's how eye exams helped save Katie's vision and quality of life. Call Optical Images to schedule your appointment.
Children and adolescents with diabetes are significantly more likely to suffer from dry eye syndrome (DES) than their non-diabetic peers. Read on to learn why diabetics are at higher risk, and how Dry Eye Center At Optical Images can help.
Cutting-edge apps, coupled with low vision aids and devices, can help people with low vision live full, independent lives.
Switching from glasses to scleral contact lenses can take several weeks. your Kirkland eye doctor will provide instructions on how to properly insert, remove, and care for the lenses, as well as how to monitor for any potential complications. Read on to learn more.
Many retinal conditions can lead to vision loss if not diagnosed early and treated promptly. If your optometrist notices signs of retinal disease, they’ll manage the condition until it's necessary to refer you to a retina specialist.
Here are 5 of the most popular low vision aids that patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) use to maintain their independence and live a meaningful life. Contact your low vision eye doctor for more information.
Discover why experts say there’s a myopia epidemic, and learn what you can do to keep your kids’ eyes healthy. Myopia Control Center At Optical Images proudly offers myopia management treatments to nearsighted children for healthy and clear life-long vision.
Medication doesn't always work to heal dry eye syndrome's underlying cause. The following natural and holistic remedies may relieve your eye discomfort and relieve your symptoms.
Ocular albinism affects a person’s eyes and vision in several ways. Thankfully, the low vision aids we offer at Low Vision Center At Optical Images can help patients with ocular albinism live independent and meaningful lives, despite low vision.
Your eye experts at Optical Images have compiled our top 7 tips for keeping your eyes healthy and safe this holiday season. Let us know how else we can help!
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye disease that impairs central vision. Here we’ll discuss the most common low vision glasses for AMD and how your Low Vision Center At Optical Images optometrist can help.
Did you know that having atrophied meibomian glands can signal uncontrolled blood sugar levels? To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Dry Eye Center At Optical Images today!
Aging comes with many blessings but also certain challenges. Having a higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of them. Fortunately, a formulation of vitamins and minerals called AREDS2 may slow the progression of vision loss from AMD. We at Optical Images Lasik & Cataract Surgery Center in Kirkland offer treatment for macular degeneration and other eye diseases.
Did you know that a risk factor for developing myopia (nearsightedness) is living in an urban area? But don’t worry – the myopia management program at Myopia Control Center At Optical Images can help.
World Keratoconus Day is celebrated every year on November 10 to raise awareness of this rare eye condition. Read on to learn about keratoconus and how it’s treated.
If you love to cook but have low vision, working in the kitchen safely and independently can be challenging. At Low Vision Center At Optical Images in Kirkland we offer our low vision patients practical advice and low vision aids and devices so they can keep doing the things they love.
Genetic testing can help determine whether you have a genetic variant that may put you or your children at risk for certain diseases. Read on to learn about genetic testing for keratoconus.
Do you wake up each morning with dry, irritated eyes? You could have dry eye syndrome, an eye condition that can range from mild to debilitating. Here's what you need to know about dry eye syndrome.
It's Contact Lens Safety Month, which makes it the perfect time to brush up on ways to keep your eyes and vision healthy when wearing contact lenses. Here are our top contact lens safety tips to keep your peepers happy.
Glaucoma in children is rare, but when it occurs, it must be treated with surgery to prevent vision loss. Read on to learn more about congenital glaucoma symptoms and treatments.
Traditional myopia correction uses glasses to improve visual acuity, but they are not a solution for controlling myopia’s progression and may even contribute to worsening myopia. Myopia management is an effective treatment program to slow or halt myopia progression.
If you or your loved one is struggling with low vision, please don't lose hope. Low vision technology helps people with severe vision loss maximize their vision so they can do the things they love. Read on to learn more about ways low vision aids, devices and glasses can help patients live more independent, full lives.
Macular degeneration is a disease that can threaten your sight as it progresses, but early diagnosis and treatment can delay and even lower your risk of vision loss.
Seeing floaters is common and usually nothing to worry about. Yet there are times when floaters are a sign of a serious eye condition. Here’s what you need to know about eye floaters, and how Optical Images can help!
The most important reason for choosing myopia management is to protect your child’s precious gift of sight from sight-threatening eye diseases. But here’s an added benefit: it may save you money in the long run!
If you have corneal dystrophy, it will become increasingly difficult to wear standard contact lenses. Scleral lenses are an excellent choice for patients with many types of corneal irregularities, including most types of corneal dystrophy. Read on to learn how Specialty Contact Lens Center At Optical Images can help.
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common eye conditions in the world, yet many people put up with the discomfort, even though it's very treatable. Here are tips to help you deal with your dry eye symptoms, along with treatment from your eye doctor.
Many substances and situations can cause dry eyes, such as certain medications, hormonal changes, and your environment. No matter the cause, having dry eyes feels pretty terrible. Here we list the different symptoms of dry eye and address treatment options.
Unfortunately, glaucoma doesn't show any symptoms until its advanced stages. Read on to learn what you can to preserve your vision and live your best life.
Here are 5 eye symptoms that you should never ignore. Call Optical Images without delay if you or a loved one experiences any of these eye or vision problems.
If you've been diagnosed with macular degeneration, glaucoma, or other sight-robbing eye diseases, don't lose hope. Low vision aids such as magnifiers, special glasses and devices can help those with vision loss lead an active life.
Have you or a loved one have experienced complications following LASIK or any other type of refractive surgery? Scleral lenses may be just the solution you need! Read on to learn how scleral contact lenses can help restore clear and healthy vision.
Childhood myopia — nearsightedness — is reaching epidemic proportions. Fortunately, there are steps parents can take to reduce their child’s risk of developing myopia.
Every child should have a comprehensive eye exam before the start of the new school year. Just as you wouldn’t consider sending them to school without a backpack or a lunch box, make sure their eyes and vision are ready for the challenges ahead.
Custom contact lenses are specially designed to fit irregularly-shaped corneas. If you find wearing regular contact lenses uncomfortable, ask your optometrist if custom contact lenses are right for you.
High myopia isn’t just difficulty seeing faraway objects. It can actually increase the risk of developing serious eye diseases later in life. Read on to find out how you can slow or halt your child’s myopia progression.
If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you're at risk of developing certain eye diseases. Read on to find out how to protect your vision.
Did you know that Nerf® guns, a supposedly safe children’s toy, have been shown to cause eye injury in certain cases? What makes them so dangerous?
A recent scientific study suggests that it may be possible to slow down or even reverse the aging process. Read on to learn how this could impact the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and how Low Vision Center At Optical Images can help.
Hyperopia affects near vision in children and young adults. Want to know more about hyperopia? Here we explain ways to recognize the condition and help your child if they have it.
Whether you call it eye goop, crusties or gunk, there are times when a bit of mucus around your eyes is normal — and times when it’s not. Learn how a dry eye optometrist can help.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge, resulting in blurry and distorted vision. Here are the most commonly asked questions about keratoconus.
Cataract surgery not only improves vision. Research suggests that cataract surgery may also prevent cognitive decline.
Sunglasses are important for everyone, and especially for people with low vision. Here are several things to consider when purchasing a new pair of sunglasses.
Myopia management, an optometrist-developed program, can slow and even halt the progression of a child’s myopia. Read on to learn more.
Here’s how you can celebrate National Sunglasses Day on June 27.
Studies have found a correlation between asthma and dry eye syndrome. Fortunately, a dry eye optometrist can help by treating your uncomfortable dry eye symptoms.
Low vision is often thought of as blindness. However, low vision is only partial vision loss. Learn more about the different types of vision loss and how you can continue to be independent and keep doing the things you love.
Astigmatism is a non-spherical cornea that causes blurred vision. Here are 7 frequently asked questions and answers regarding this very common refractive error.
Here’s another reason for parents to send their kids out to play. Research shows that spending 2 hours or more outdoors lowers the risk of developing myopia and slows its progression.
Myopia is an eye condition with increasing prevalence. While there is a lot of information out there on myopia, there are also many misconceptions. Read on to discover the REAL facts.
Scleral contact lenses are specially designed to vault over irregular corneas to create a smooth optical surface that provides sharp, comfortable vision. Here are 3 benefits of wearing scleral lenses.
If once-bright colors seem less vivid than they used to, you may be developing cataracts or a serious eye disease. We will conduct a comprehensive eye exam and treat any problems we find.
We all instinctively rub our eyes, whether we're tired, our eyes are itchy or when something gets stuck in them. However, did you know that doing so poses a threat to your eye health and can potentially lead you to contract COVID-19? Read on to learn why eye doctors instruct people to avoid rubbing their eyes.
An eye care emergency is defined as medical care for conditions requiring prompt medical attention due to a sudden change in ocular or visual health.
Wearing traditional contact lenses is particularly uncomfortable when you have dry eye syndrome as it can further exacerbate itchy and irritated eyes. Fortunately, there is a lens that isn’t only comfortable but can also improve dry eye syndrome.
Wearing lenses overnight has been shown to be safe and effective in slowing down myopia progression in children. That said, many parents believe orthokeratology involves a higher risk factor than other contact lens modalities. Let's take an open and honest look at some of the issues.