Did you know

What’s In a Contact Lens?

Eastern Shore Eye Care eye care Fairhope,Alabama

Learn How Contact Lenses are Made

Contact lenses are immensely popular, with a wide variety of types to fit almost every individual and their vision condition. New materials and modern technology have led to increased comfort, higher convenience, and sharper vision with contacts. In response, many people are now making the switch away from wearing eyeglasses for vision correction. At Eastern Shore Eye Care, our expert optometrist, Dr. Schrock, performs eye exams and fittings for contact lenses regularly.

How & What Are Contact Lenses Made Of?

There are two main types of lenses: Soft Contacts, and Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP).

Soft contact lenses are usually manufactured by a process called injection molding. The lens material is heated until melting point and then injected into a mold. Once the material dries, it takes on the contact lens shape of the mold. Sometimes, extra material must be removed before polishing this lens.

Most of the time, hydrogel is used as the material for soft lenses.
This polymer is very water-absorbent, and a high water content allows more oxygen to reach the eye. Some soft contact lenses contain as much as 70% water! One drawback is that a high quantity of water also increases the size of the lens, which some people find irritating.
Less water leads to a thinner, more comfortable lens.

Soft lenses made from silicone hydrogel are newer on the scene. This advanced materials enables increased oxygen permeability without the added size of larger lenses. Many of our patients in Fairhope, Alabama, report high comfort satisfaction with their silicone hydrogel lenses.

Rigid gas permeable lenses are sculpted into shape with the aid of specialized lathe cutting tools. Lens material is carved into a precision-cut lens and then polished. The level of accuracy and precision used to make RGP lenses is superior to soft contact lenses. In general, this process is therefore used for more complex lens prescriptions and shapes, such as progressive lenses.

Hard contact lenses are composed of hard polymers (plastics) that have a naturally high porosity.

Therefore, a large quantity of oxygen reaches the eye efficiently – without any water content in the lens. Flourine is added to RGP lenses to enhance oxygen permeability, as it acts to form microscopic pores in the solid lenses. This facilitates long-term, healthy wearing of hard lenses. After an adjustment period for your eyes to adapt to hard lenses, you’ll benefit from crisp visual clarity.

How Are Colored Contacts Made?

Colored contacts enhance or change your look with a new eye color. Typically, advanced color technology is used to tint the area of the soft contact lenses that covers the primary pigment of your eye.

While your eyes will appear different to others, your clear and transparent vision won’t be affected. Available only by prescription, our Fairhope optometrist will help you choose the most appropriate colored contacts for your eyes!

Where Can I Find Quality Contact Lenses Near Me?

In addition to answering your questions about how contact lenses are made, our Fairhope team is pleased to answer this question too!

If you’re looking for an alternative to eyeglasses, our optometrist will perform a thorough eye examination for contact lenses.

We’ll fit you with the ideal lenses – either soft contacts, rigid gas permeable, and specialty types, such as progressive lenses and colored contacts – in our hi-tech office.

Call Eastern Shore Eye Care on (251) 928-4076 in Fairhope, Alabama to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Schrock.

Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Do I really need to check my eyes?

Eastern Shore Eye Care eye care Fairhope,Alabama

Everyone, regardless of age or physical condition, is recommended to go for regular eye exams.

Thorough evaluations of your eye health and vision by Dr. Schrock are the best way to check for signs of vision conditions and ocular disease.

At Eastern Shore Eye Care, our optometrists will inspect your eyes thoroughly, using first-rate skill and advanced diagnostic technology. Your vision matters to us, and we will consider the individual needs and health of each patient. We are located conveniently in Fairhope, Alabama, and we are pleased to serve patients from the greater area.

The importance of routine eye exams

Early detection of many typical adult eye diseases can have a powerful effect on the success of treatment. When we examine your eyes in our office in Fairhope, Alabama, we will take a very close look for signs of disease that may still be symptom less. To prevent future vision loss or complications, we’ll begin treatment as soon as possible.

With children, an undetected vision condition could harm their ability to learn properly.

Common eye problems that are diagnosed in children include astigmatism, nearsightedness, farsightedness and weak eye teaming. If your child is diagnosed with any of these problems during our comprehensive pediatric eye exam, we will determine the most effective treatments. Eye exams can thereby prevent or lead to resolution of many learning problems in school.

When should you schedule your comprehensive eye exam?

The American Optometric Association (AOA) issued the following guidelines:

Children

First eye exam at 6 months old, to check that the visual system is developing normally
Second eye exam at 3 years old
Complete eye and vision evaluation prior to entering school, around age 5-6. If no vision problems are diagnosed, then follow-up examinations should be done at least every 2 years. If your child needs vision correction, then exams must be scheduled at least once a year.

Children who have any of these risk factors should come in for eye exams more frequently:

Premature birth
Crossed or turned eyes
Family history of eye disease
Other physical disease
History of eye injury

Delayed development Adults Until age 40, if no vision correction (such as eyeglasses or contact lenses) is needed, then complete eye assessments should be performed every two or three years.
After 40 years old, annual eye exams are encouraged. The incidence of many common eye diseases and vision problems rises as you age, and we will check for conditions such as presbyopia, cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Everyone over age 60 is strongly recommended to schedule frequent eye exams.
Any adult who has a health issue, such as hypertension or diabetes, may require additional eye exams, as advised by an eye doctor.

What will happen at your comprehensive eye exam?

Our team of experienced optometrists will use many different testing procedures to check your eyes. Our Fairhope, PA, office is fully equipped with the latest equipment. To determine visual acuity, you will be asked to read a standard eye chart and we will check refractive error. To diagnose or rule out any eye diseases, we will inspect your inner eye tissues with a high-powered lens. This exam also provides significant information about your overall health.

For more information about comprehensive eye examinations Call Eastern Shore Eye Care on (251) 928-4076 in Fairhope, Alabama to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Schrock.

Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Who is affected by Glaucoma?

Eastern Shore Eye Care eye care Fairhope,Alabama

We Provide Advanced Eye Care for Glaucoma

Glaucoma describes a type of ocular disease that causes damage to your optic nerve and destroys your quality of vision. At Eastern Shore Eye Care, we use the latest optometric technology to check your eyes carefully for glaucoma.

Glaucoma screening by Dr. Schrock, done with the help of a tonometer, is a significant part of our regular, comprehensive eye exams in Fairhope, Alabama.

With no early symptoms, glaucoma can only be detected by a complete eye examination. When left untreated, glaucoma can result in detrimental vision loss. When treated early by one of our professional, knowledgeable eye doctors, we can help preserve your healthy eyesight.

What is glaucoma?

The characteristic sign of glaucoma is increased pressure in your inner eye, and this is what tonometry measures. In order to maintain the spherical form of your eyeball and its ability to provide sight, the proper amount of internal fluid must be present. With glaucoma, a proper balance between the inner eye fluid and the fluid that drains out isn’t preserved. This results in eye pressure levels that are dangerously high and not conducive to sharp vision.

What happens as glaucoma progresses?

The longer you have untreated glaucoma, the higher the risk of damage to your optic nerve. An injured optic nerve cannot convey accurate visual images to the brain. Signs of glaucoma are usually experienced only when the optic nerve has already been damaged. That’s why it’s important to come into our Fairhope office for regular eye exams, (before you sense any symptoms!) by a qualified professional.

Over time, vision loss or total, irreversible blindness is the result. In America, untreated glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness among adults over age 40.

Who is at a greater risk for glaucoma?

Above 60 years of age
Diabetes of any type – particularly when uncontrolled
Family history of glaucoma
A member of the Mexican American population

How is glaucoma treated?

A variety of glaucoma treatments are available, depending upon your particular case. Therapies aim to lower eye pressure and stabilize it at a healthy level that will not lead to any damage of the optic nerve.

Possible medical approaches include:

Medicated eye drops to control the disease: note that the success of these eye drops depends heavily upon patient compliance with inserting them regularly, as directed by your eye doctor. Carelessness and failure to use eye drops properly is the primary reason for unsuccessful glaucoma treatment!
Laser surgery or Conventional (bladed) surgery: these procedures work to lower the natural production of inner eye fluid and/or to increase natural fluid drainage. Inner eye pressure is thereby reduced.

There are some forms of glaucoma that may cause sudden blurriness of vision, halos around lights, nausea or vomiting, or intense pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s advised to contact our eye doctors immediately, or head to your nearby Fairhope County emergency room. We look forward to taking a look at your eyes and preserving your crisp, healthy vision!

Call Eastern Shore Eye Care on (251) 928-4076 in Fairhope, Alabama to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Schrock.

Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Should I have my children’s eyes checked?

Eastern Shore Eye Care eye care Fairhope,Alabama

Eastern Shore Eye Care Helps Kids Reach the Top of the Class

There’s a strong association between sharp eyesight and successful classroom learning.

According to education experts, the bulk of education in school is taught with the help of visual tools. A child who cannot see well is therefore at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to absorbing and processing information. Regular pediatric eye exams are the best way to ensure that your child’s vision makes the grade!

At Eastern Shore Eye Care, in Fairhope, AL, we’ll perform a thorough kids eye exam to assess all parts of your child’s visual system.

We invite you warmly to come in with your child to meet Dr. Schrock, our friendly and experienced optometrist.

Using advanced diagnostic tools and a pleasant, gentle manner, Dr. Schrock will evaluate your kid’s eyes, including checking visual acuity (near and far vision), eye teaming, peripheral eyesight, eye mobility and eye-hand coordination. If you have any specific questions about your child’s eyesight, we encourage you to share them with us.

We’ll gladly take the time to address your concerns.

To prepare you for your pediatric eye exam appointment at Eastern Shore Eye Care, here’s some helpful information about what to expect:

When is the right time for a kids eye exam?

1. Babies should have their first vision check-up at 6 months of age
2. 3 years old is recommended for the second complete pediatric eye examination
3. A total eye exam should be done before starting school, at 5-6 years old
4. Yearly eye exams are advised for kids who wear eyeglasses. If no vision correction is required, regular check-ups can be performed every 2 years.

What tests are done?

Every child is unique, and we personalize our kids eye exams to suit your child. We will determine which tests and procedures to perform in our Fairhope, AL, office, depending upon your child’s age, developmental stage and personal vision condition.

The following explanations are provided as a basic guideline:

Infants By three months of age, infants should be able to fixate on an object and track it visually. We’ll assess the development of this skill. We’ll also shine a light into your baby’s eyes to observe how their pupils open and shut in reaction. An additional evaluation that we may conduct is a test called “preferential looking”, in which we show images to your infant and inspect how his or her gaze responds.
Pre-school children Have no fear if your child isn’t yet confident reading the ABC’s! We can still check visual acuity. Retinoscopy is one useful procedure that we perform; it evaluates how light reflects off the retina. LEA symbols, used in place of a standard letter and number chart, also enable us to assess vision quality by having your child look at graphic images of various shapes, such as an apple or a house. Eye teaming is checked with random dot stereopsis, a method based on showing dot patterns to your kid.
School-aged kids We will evaluate visual acuity comprehensively to determine if your child needs vision correction, such as prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Eye alignment will also be assessed, to verify that the whole visual system is functioning together well. Using a high powered lens, we’ll also inspect your kid’s ocular health for any signs of abnormalities.

What are some common diagnoses made during pediatric eye exams?

:
Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are the most typical diagnoses that Dr. Schrock makes when examining kids in our Fairhope, AL, optometric clinic. Other usual problems include:

Amblyopia (lazy eye) – generally treated by patching the dominant eye
Strabismus – due to weak, misaligned eye muscles, surgery is often recommended, or eye exercises are done to strengthen ocular muscles
Convergence insufficiency – an inability to keep eyes aligned well for reading, vision therapy is often successful treatment
Binocularity problems – causes difficulty with coordination and depth perception
Accommodation Problems – Trouble focusing between near and far, vision therapy is usually prescribed

If we detect any of these eyesight problems in your child, we’ll consult with you to discuss what we find – and we’ll work with you to identify the best treatment or therapy for your child’s visual needs, age, health condition and lifestyle.

Call Eastern Shore Eye Care on (251) 928-4076 in Fairhope, Alabama to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Schrock.

Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

How do I get Contact Lenses?

Eastern Shore Eye Care eye care Fairhope,Alabama

Many people love the convenience and quality vision of contact lenses.

If you are interested in wearing lenses instead of eyeglasses, we’ll help you with all that you need

At Eastern Shore Eye Care, our eye doctors will examine your eyes to determine if you’re a good candidate for contacts, and we’ll fit you with the best type for your visual requirements.

We offer comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings in our offices located conveniently in Fairhope, Alabama.

Our eye doctor, Dr. Schrock, will examine your eyes thoroughly to make sure that no health or eye issues will interfere with wearing contact lenses. We will also determine your accurate vision prescription, so that your eyesight is crystal-clear.

If everything checks out well, then it’s time for your contact lens consultation and fitting.

Contact Lens Consultation in Fairhope, Alabama,Our eye doctors will begin with a discussion about your lifestyle, visual requirements and preferences for contact lenses.

We appreciate each patient as an individual, and we’ll listen to your expectations and answer your questions.

Some considerations you may have when choosing contacts:

Do you want lenses for every day, or just for certain occasions or activities?
Do you want to change your eye color?
How frequently do you want to replace your contacts? There are daily wear options or extended wear lenses.
Do you prefer soft or hard lenses? Soft lenses are most popular, but hard lenses have their advantages. They offer high oxygen permeability, provide crisp vision and are durable.

Your Contact Lens Fitting

After a comprehensive exam of your eye health and vision by Dr. Schrock, we ’ll measure your eyes for contact lenses. There are many corneal variations, and one size of contacts doesn’t fit all eyes.

We will measure:

Corneal curvature: Using a keratometer, we’ll find the curvature of your cornea, which is needed to choose the best diameter and curve for your contacts. Corneal mapping is also sometimes used to provide a highly detailed image of your cornea. If you have an irregular corneal surface due to astigmatism, you may need toric lenses, available in hard and soft versions.
Iris and pupil size: Using either a basic ruler or template, or a specialized lighted tool called a slit lamp, we will measure your iris and pupils. These sizes will help us to determine the best contact lens design for you.
Evaluation of your tear film: Sufficient moisture is needed on your cornea in order to keep your eyes and contact lenses well lubricated. With dry eyes, contact lens wearing may not be suitable.
We will perform this test either by placing a strip of paper on your lower eyelid to measure moisture, or by using liquid dye and a slit lamp to see your tears.
Trial lenses:The best way to confirm the ideal contact lenses for you is by using trial lenses.
Contact lenses: will be inserted and our eye doctor will use a slit lamp to check the position and movement of your contacts. You’ll be asked to blink and move your gaze in all directions and to provide feedback about how the contacts feel.
Trial wearing time is generally about 15 minutes, and then if the contact lenses feel good and appear to fit well, you’ll be instructed on how to care for them. We will provide you with guidelines on how long to wear them, as well as information on proper care and handling.

Your contact lens prescription

Once we find lenses for you that provide clear vision, fit properly and feel good, we’ll issue a prescription, which includes:

Power of each contact lens
Lens curvature (base curve)
Lens diameter
Manufacturer and name of the lenses

Follow-up visits, After your initial fitting, we’ll provide follow-up visits in Fairhope, Alabama.

Our optometrists will verify that your eyes are healthy, with quality vision and no damage from the lenses. If needed, we’ll change the materials or fit of your contacts, or you may be advised to change your wearing time. If everything is good, you should schedule a routine yearly exam to make sure that nothing has changed with your eyes and eyesight.

Call Eastern Shore Eye Care on (251) 928-4076 in Fairhope, Alabama to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Schrock.

Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Do I have the Best Vision Possible?

Eastern Shore Eye Care eye care Fairhope,Alabama

Our expert eye doctor, Dr. Schrock, is committed to providing you with the best vision possible.

He will perform a detailed eye exam to check your eyesight, in our Fairhope, Alabama, office. This includes a thorough eye test to determine your vision prescription for eyeglasses and contact lenses. In general, an accurate vision prescription aims to give you 20/20 vision. What does that number mean, and is it really the best vision?

What does 20/20 and all those numbers mean?

The standard by which all eyesight is judged is referred to as 20/20 vision. This is regarded as “normal vision” and describes what someone should see when standing 20 feet away from an eye chart.

If you are diagnosed with 20/40 vision, it means that at 20 feet – you can only see the details that a person with normal vision sees at 40 feet. In reverse, if you have 20/10 vision, it means that at 20 feet – you can clearly see what most people can only see at 10 feet. That makes your vision better than the average standards!

Can people have better than 20/20 vision?

20/10 vision is thought to be the maximum visual acuity of human eyes without binoculars or other magnifying devices. Recent advances in optics have led to the creation of corrective lenses that can provide this ultra-sharp vision.

It seems that the best eyesight ever reported in a human was in an Aborigine man with 20/5 vision! To give you an idea of how clear and far he could see, his vision measurement compares to the natural sight of eagles. From 20 feet, he could perceive the fine details that most people can only see from 5 feet away! (In case you were wondering, the only creature with vision sharper than an eagle is believed to be the hawk, with 20/2 visual acuity.)

Do we prescribe eyewear for vision higher than 20/20?

Although it’s possible to fit eyeglasses and contact lenses that give sharper than average vision, the gold standard in optometry is still 20/20.

A prescription for 20/10 will certainly improve distance vision, yet it may compromise near vision. In our Fairhope optical center, our experienced optometrist will check your visual acuity carefully. Using high-tech diagnostics, we’ll ensure that you receive the best vision prescription for your ocular condition and lifestyle needs.

While we don’t promise eyesight like an eagle or hawk, at Eastern Shore Eye Care we are dedicated to fitting our patients with the sharpest vision possible for humans!

Call Eastern Shore Eye Care on (251) 928-4076 in Fairhope, Alabama to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Schrock.

Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Are Over-the-Counter Readers good enough?

Eastern Shore Eye Care eye care Fairhope,Alabama

If you are over 40, chances are you need reading glasses (or you will soon!).

You can purchase these eyeglasses on your own from a local drugstore, or you can buy prescription glasses from an optical store. What’s the difference?

Features of Over-the-Counter Readers

For starters, generic reading glasses (also known as readers) bought over-the-counter are designed especially for presbyopia. This refers to the age-related condition in which your natural eye lens loses flexibility, making it hard to focus on near objects. These spectacles will not address other visual conditions, such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, as they are constructed from magnifying lenses set into eyeglass frames.

Over-the-counter eyeglasses are typically lower priced and lower quality, especially when compared to the durable, designer frames in our Fairhope, MI, optical collection. The frames tend to be weaker, and the lenses scratch easily.

Readers also have the exact same prescription in each lens. Therefore, if your vision condition isn’t identical in both eyes, then it may be difficult to focus with these generic glasses.

Yet one distinct advantage of drugstore spectacles is their convenience. If you only need reading glasses occasionally, then this may be an ideal solution for your presbyopia. Wearing them for an extended period, such as reading for hours, may cause eye fatigue and headaches. Yet if you only need to put them on to read the fine print at the bottom of a package, then they can be fine for your requirements.

You can easily buy a few pairs and store them where you need them most! Keep one pair in your desk drawer and another in your bag.

Features of Prescription Reading Glasses

When we craft prescription eyeglasses for you at Eastern Shore Eye Care, we follow a precise vision prescription provided by your eye doctor.

To determine this prescription, your eye health and visual acuity will be tested thoroughly by Dr. Schrock. Your reading spectacles will then be custom-made to match the needs of each eye, respectively. In contrast to the display of generic readers in the drugstore, there’s no limit to the range of lens powers available from our optical store.

Lenses made in a prescription laboratory boast higher quality and sharper clarity. The frames are adjusted to suit your face, and the optical center of the lenses is placed in the ideal position you need for comfortable reading.

You will be able to choose the perfect pair of designer frames from our quality collection, and we’ll fit them with the correct lens powers. We’ll also offer you options such as scratch-resistant and anti-glare coatings.

Can generic readers hurt your eyes? No.

Wearing these over-the-counter glasses may bother your eyes or cause a headache if the prescription isn’t correct, but they will not damage your lasting vision. To ensure that you purchase the right power of lenses, it’s a good idea to have an eye exam from a knowledgeable eye doctor.

Even if you opt not to buy prescription reading glasses from an optical laboratory, a full vision test is the best, most reliable way to find out the magnification that you need!

Call Eastern Shore Eye Care on (251) 928-4076 in Fairhope, Alabama to schedule an eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Schrock.

Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Learn How Contact Lenses are Made

How & What Are Contact Lenses Made Of?

How Are Colored Contacts Made?

Where Can I Find Quality Contact Lenses Near Me?

Everyone, regardless of age or physical condition, is recommended to go for regular eye exams.

The importance of routine eye exams

With children, an undetected vision condition could harm their ability to learn properly.

When should you schedule your comprehensive eye exam?

Children

What will happen at your comprehensive eye exam?

We Provide Advanced Eye Care for Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

What happens as glaucoma progresses?

Who is at a greater risk for glaucoma?

How is glaucoma treated?

Possible medical approaches include:

Eastern Shore Eye Care Helps Kids Reach the Top of the Class

To prepare you for your pediatric eye exam appointment at Eastern Shore Eye Care, here’s some helpful information about what to expect:

What tests are done?

What are some common diagnoses made during pediatric eye exams?

Many people love the convenience and quality vision of contact lenses.

Your Contact Lens Fitting

Your contact lens prescription

Our expert eye doctor, Dr. Schrock, is committed to providing you with the best vision possible.

What does 20/20 and all those numbers mean?

Can people have better than 20/20 vision?

Do we prescribe eyewear for vision higher than 20/20?

If you are over 40, chances are you need reading glasses (or you will soon!).

Features of Over-the-Counter Readers

Features of Prescription Reading Glasses

Can generic readers hurt your eyes? No.

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