Eye Examinations Archives

Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, & Optician: What’s the Difference?

Written By Michael Healy

Have you started to notice subtle changes in your vision? Maybe you need to squint a bit when reading or perhaps you notice more frequent headaches or even some hazy, double vision while driving. If anything sounds familiar, it might be time to schedule an eye exam. But who should you see? Should you schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, or an optician?

Whatever happened to the good ole eye doctor? If you are struggling to choose the right type of specialist to visit when you are experiencing an issue with your vision, you’re not alone. Many people are confused when it comes to understanding the difference between ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians.

Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians are all eye care professionals with a specific role in helping diagnose, treat, and care for your eyes. However, where the specialties differ is the level of training specifically required for the services provided by each type of provider.

Glasses vs. Contact Lenses vs. LASIK: What’s Right For You?

Written By Michael Healy

Very few of us are blessed with 20/20 vision our entire life. In fact, according to the University of Iowa, only about 35% of adults have 20/20 vision without the support of glasses, contact lenses, or corrective eye surgery. If you’re amongst the majority, at some point you’ll need to decide how best to address your vision challenges.

Your options are straightforward: you can wear eyeglasses, contact lenses, eyeglasses and contact lenses, or opt for LASIK surgery. When it comes to vision correction, several important factors may influence the choice you make. Let’s take a look at what to consider when deciding on eyeglasses, contact lenses, or LASIK.

What Happens at a Routine Eye Exam?

Written By Louise Wood

You’ve booked your first eye examination… Do you need to prepare? Will it hurt? How long will it take? These are all reasonable questions I get asked regularly, so allow me to help you understand what to expect at a routine eye exam.

What to Expect During Your Online Vision Test

Written By Barry Silver

Did you know you can get a free online vision test right here on EZContacts.com? The test is designed to enable those who qualify to renew a prescription for contact lenses or eyeglasses.

This article answers what we anticipated to be your initial questions about the process of renewing your eyewear prescription online. Here, we’ll step you through exactly how the free online vision test works. It’s easy.

Here’s a TL;DR synopsis

Taking the test requires about 10 to 15 minutes and you’ll need:

A credit card (to calibrate the size of the display)
A smartphone and computer to take the exam.
A space where you can stand 10 feet from your computer.

The Eye Cardiac Connection: How Does Your Heart Affect Eyes?

Written By Michael Healy

We know the eyes are the window to the soul, but did you know they are also the window to your health, specifically your cardiovascular health? There’s an eye cardiac connection that researchers are starting to study more and more. New research published in the American Journal of Medicine recently found a distinct correlation between the health of your eyes and the health of your heart.

Specifically, researchers found that approximately half of the nearly 2.2 billion cases of vision impairment worldwide could be improved, or even prevented, by taking simple steps to improve your overall cardiovascular health.

In addition, doctors have learned that a regular annual eye exam is the most reliable, non-invasive way to identify a number of serious—often fatal—cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.