Eye health is important for everyone, including babies, people with disabilities, or even really shy children. What do all these people have in common? They may not be the most talkative, or even talk at all during an eye exam. But, THAT’S OK! We can still check their eyes and even determine the prescription they need in their glasses. But how? Well for starters, we need to check their vision. This includes having them: Read letters Read numbers Tell us what picture they see Watch their eye movements when shown two options of cards to look Some stroke patients are very aware and cognitive of ..read more

A solar eclipse will occur on April 8, 2024. This happens when the moon lines up with the sun and blocks its light. Only some areas in the United States will be in the path of totality (100% total eclipse). This path will reach the USA starting in Texas and following through to Maine. Check the map below to see those areas and the times it will occur. If you are not in that path (including us in Duluth, MN), we will see a partial eclipse. In these areas, you will need to have eye protection to avoid causing permanent damage from viewing the eclipse. It is recommended to watch it indirectly, b ..read more

How much of an impact can diabetes have on your vision? If you lose vision, will it come back? Why do I see black spots in my vision? All of these are great questions for people with diabetes. If you have diabetes, there is a possibility your vision could change. The longer you have diabetes, the greater the probability of vision changes. Diabetic retinopathy can affect half of people with diabetes. This includes type 1, type 2, and gestational. You can monitor your eyes and vision for changes with regular eye exams. If you have never had any issues with diabetic retinopathy, yearly exams are ..read more

December 21 at 9:27 pm marks the winter solstice for the Northern Hemisphere. That’s when the days will start to get longer. This means more difficulty with night driving. Have you noticed a lot of glare with oncoming headlights? Do those LED headlights drive you crazy? Well, you’re not alone. But what is causing this difficulty with driving at night? A major cause of glare driving at night is CATARACTS! In the dark, our pupils get larger and this allows more light to hit the lens behind the iris (colored portion). These are normal changes, but if you feel unsafe, please have your eyecare prof ..read more

There has been a newly updated list of recalled eye drops (updated 11/6/23). Some of these drops have been linked to infection causing partial vision loss or blindness. Some have been linked to death. If you have been using these drops, please discontinue immediately and call your eye care professional with questions or concerns. All drops in these lots were recalled starting October 25, 2023. CVS, Rite Aid, and Target are removing them from their shelves. Leader, Rugby, and Velocity may still be available online so check to make sure you do not have any. The newest drop update includes Walma ..read more

I see some shimmering in my vision”. This is a common phenomenon we call an ocular migraine. It typically looks like a kaleidoscope or a jagged “C” shape at the edge of your vision. It can also be a loss or dimming of part of your vision in one eye, lasting 20-30 minutes. Some people will get a headache afterward, some will not. While it’s not completely understood what causes an ocular migraine, similar triggers to migraine headaches have been associated: caffeine, stress, etc. Mild over-the-counter medications can help with headaches such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Other prescription me ..read more

This is a great question for families with children in sports or activities. What is the minimum age to start wearing contacts? The short answer is usually 12 years old. There are definitely exceptions! If your child has a very high prescription, needs myopia control, or even participates in activities that would require lenses, we do work with families to ensure they are able to participate like other children. The child would still need to have a contact lens fitting. This includes an exam, class, and possibly some follow-up appointments. We need to measure your prescription, the curve of th ..read more

May is Healthy Vision Month! This covers many areas including a general eye exam. Even if you do not have any eye issues going on, it’s important to have a comprehensive eye exam from time to time. If you are young and healthy, we may recommend an exam every couple years. Healthy eyes and vision start with a good history, entrance testing including color vision and depth perception, a refraction to test for glasses, and a dilated retinal exam. Eye exams can sometimes prevent future eye issues like amblyopia or “lazy eye”, eye strain, glaucoma, or even inflammation due to autoimmune disorders ..read more

We have mentioned previously some eye drops in the news lately causing infections, and in one case, death. These drops include EzriCare and Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops and eye ointment. On March 1, 2023, Apotex “Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15% was recalled. This was due to concerns that there were cracked caps which could lead to infection. Pharmedica “Purely Soothing, 15% MSM Drops were also recalled due to sterility concerns. They have found 64 patients across 13 states were infected with a bacteria, pseudomonas aeruginosa, that can lead to blindness. I ..read more

Summer is finally here, and that means it’s time for some fun i the sun! Whether you’re camping in beautiful Minnesota, gathering around a campfire with loved ones, doing yardwork, or enjoying various outdoor activities, it’s important to keep your eyes healthy and safe during these summer months. Here are some dos and don’ts to ensure your eyes are well taken care of: Sunglasses: You knew we were going to say it! Do wear sunglasses! UV can damage your eyes and the best way to protect them while out in the sun is Sunglasses and Prescription Sunglasses for those people that don’t wear contact ..read more