Do you have a question? Ask the Doctor …

Babies and Toddlers
School-Age Children
Teenagers and Young Adults
Adults
Seniors

Babies and Toddlers

What’s the best way to clean my babies eyes?
Usually a soft washcloth with warm water works best.

My baby seems to have a film over his eyes. should I be concerned?
Likely this is due to a clogged tear duct. This is usually treated by massaging the lower lid in the inner corner of the eye. Surgery is necessary if this persists for over 1 year.

When will I know the final color of my baby’s eyes?
Around 6 months, your baby’s eye color will be apparent.

Why doesn’t my baby shed tears when he cries?
Around 2 weeks, your baby makes tears to lubricate the eyes. Real tears from crying will not occur for several months.

Should I have my baby’s eyes examined?
Yes. Even if you do not have an immediate concern, your baby’s eyes should be examined around 6 months of age. Your baby may have a very high prescription, poor alignment, or even an eye disease. Any of these problems can keep your baby’s eyes from developing normally.

Young School-Age Children

How often should I have my child’s eyes examined?
Yearly is usually recommended for school-age children. Certain visual problems may require more frequent visits.

How will I know if my child can’t see well?
Sometimes you don’t. Children who see well out of one eye usually don’t complain. Sometimes children just think their blurry vision is normal. Annual visits to the eye doctor are recommended.

Will watching TV hurt my child’s eyes?
TV typically will not affect the eyes. Research indicates that doing extensive near work can cause the eyes to become nearsighted, so do have your child back up from the TV at least a few feet.

Will laser surgery fix my child’s lazy eye?
Poor vision in one eye which cannot be improved with glasses also will not be improved with a laser. If an eye turns in or out, it can be surgically corrected, but with an operation, not with a laser.

Will eating carrots give my child better eyesight?
Carrots contain antioxidants, one of which is Vitamin A, which can prevent damage from occurring to the eyes. Eating carrots will not make your vision better if you need glasses.

Teenagers and Young Adults

How often should I have my eyes examined?
You should have your eyes examined yearly until your early 20’s, then every 2 years may be sufficient. You must have your eyes examined yearly if you are a contact lens wearer.

Am I too young to have laser surgery?
If you are nearsighted, your eyes typically continue to change until around age 25. Having laser surgery before your eyes stop changing will require you to have it again to have clear vision after your eyes change.

Do I need special eyewear if I play sports?
Protective eyewear is recommended for those who play sports with a high velocity ball, such as racquetball. In all sports, check with your eye doctor to see if contact lenses are an option.
Ask your parents and check with your eye doctor to see if contact lenses are an option for you. By not wearing your glasses, you may not be seeing as well at school as you should, and you may even get headaches.

Will watching TV hurt my eyes?
TV typically will not affect the eyes. Research indicates that doing extensive near work can cause the eyes to become nearsighted, so do have your child back up from the TV at least a few feet.

Will eating carrots give me better eyesight?
Carrots contain antioxidants, one of which is Vitamin A, which can prevent damage from occurring to the eyes. Eating carrots will not make your vision better if you need glasses.

Will laser surgery fix my lazy eye?
Poor vision in one eye which cannot be improved with glasses also will not be improved with a laser. If an eye turns in or out (lazy), it can be surgically corrected, but with an operation, not with a laser.

I hate wearing glasses. What happens if I don’t?
Ask your parents and check with your eye doctor to see if contact lenses are an option for you. By not wearing your glasses, you may not be seeing as well at school as you should, and you may even get headaches.

Adults (25-60)

Is looking at a computer screen all day going to change my eye sight?
If you are in your 20’s or younger, it is possible that using a computer for several hours a day can make you more nearsighted. Everyone who uses a computer for an extended amount of time benefits from short breaks. Special computer lenses are available for those who need a progressive lens, and we recommend anti-reflective lenses to reduce glare.

If I wear my glasses less, will my eyesight improve?
Check with your eye doctor to see if contact lenses are an option for you. By not wearing your glasses, you may not be seeing as well at school as you should, and you may even get headaches.

I had laser surgery when I was younger. Will my eyesight change as I get older or am I fixed for life?
Your eyesight will probably stay the same at distance, but will change at near distance as your eyes lose their ability to focus.

Seniors

When should I stop driving because I can’t see well enough?
The legal requirements for the state of Indiana are 20/40 in the best eye for daylight driving, and 20/70 in the best eye for night driving. If only one eye sees 20/40 or better, you are required to have mirrors on your car. (All cars now have mirrors.) Your eye doctor will let you know if you do not meet these requirements. Of course, other factors may influence your ability to drive, so please make an informed decision with your family members.

Am I too old for laser surgery?
Clear lens extraction, similar to cataract surgery, is a better option than LASIK for seniors. The surgery requires removing the natural lens from your eye and replacing it with a synthetic lens. You can choose to correct your distance vision only and wear reading glasses afterward, or you may choose a lens to help you see fairly clearly at all distances.

My sister had her cataracts taken off with a laser. Is that safe?
Cataracts are not removed with a laser. The surgery requires removing the natural lens from your eye and replacing it with a synthetic lens. It is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States and is very safe. You will need to discuss with your eye doctor whether the surgery is safe for you and whether it will improve your vision.

Will my eyesight change after menopause?
Menopause does not necessary change your vision, but it can cause your eyes to become dry. Fluctuations in hormones can affect your tears. Dry eye symptoms are watering, burning, or feeling like you have sand in your eyes. Your eye doctor can speak with you about whether your eyes are dry and what can be done to improve your symptoms.