New Year, New Vision in 2020

New Year, New Vision in 2020

A man receiving an eye exam

Embrace 20/20 Vision in 2020

Some New Year's resolutions are easier to fulfill than others. Even if you aren't able to add a checkmark to "soar over the Italian countryside in a hot air balloon" this year, but you can certainly improve your vision with a visit to the optometrist in 2020.

How Poor Vision Can Affect Your Life

Even small changes in your vision can have an impact on your life. When you can't see words, images, and objects clearly, you may:

  • Develop Uncomfortable Physical Symptoms. Eyestrain, eye pain, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness can occur if you must squint to read or view objects in the distance.
  • Have Trouble Driving. Driving safely becomes difficult if you can't read the road signs or tell when the car ahead of you slows down.
  • Miss Crucial Information. When you can't see clearly, it's easy to mistake one word for another when you're reading an email, text or recipe. From cooking mistakes to miscommunications with family and co-workers, poor vision can complicate your life.
  • Experience Academic Problems. Good vision is an essential aspect of the learning process. Without it, schoolwork can become unnecessarily challenging.

But My Vision Was Fine Last Year!

Vision changes often occur so gradually that you may not be aware that you have a problem until you can't read a line on the eye chart during an eye exam. If you review the past year, you may realize that you compensated for your vision problem by squinting or holding books and papers closer or farther away than normal.

Yearly Eye Exams Help You Improve and Protect Your Vision

Regular eye exams are important no matter what your age. The exams not only detect refractive errors that affect your ability to see clearly but also provide important information regarding the health of your eyes and your general health.

During your eye exam, your optometrist will measure your visual acuity, or ability to see images sharply, by asking you to read an eye chart. If you have a refractive error, you may have difficulty reading some lines on the chart. Common refractive errors include:

  • Myopia (Nearsightedness). If you have myopia, close images are clear but far objects look blurry. More than 40 percent of Americans have myopia, according to the American Optometric Association.
  • Hyperopia (Farsightedness). The opposite is true if you have hyperopia. Far objects are clear while close images are blurry.
  • Astigmatism. Astigmatism makes your vision blurry when you look at objects close up and at a distance and occurs due to an irregularly shaped cornea. Astigmatism can occur in addition to hyperopia or myopia.
  • Presbyopia. The age-related condition makes it difficult to see near objects clearly and affects nearly everyone eventually. You can develop presbyopia even if you never needed glasses before. Fortunately, reading glasses, bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses can help you read and perform close work easily again.

Comprehensive eye exams also include a thorough examination of the structures of your eyes and involve several different types of tests, including glaucoma testing.

Some general health problems cause changes in your eyes that can be detected during a comprehensive eye exam. For example, changes in the appearance in blood vessels in your retina at the back of your eye may mean that you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

Improve Your Vision with Eyeglasses or Contacts

You'll be amazed at the difference in the sharpness of your vision once you receive your new eyeglasses or contact lenses. Even small tweaks to your prescription can make the world around you look much clearer.

When you're ready to choose your new eyeglasses, you'll find plenty of lens and frame options from impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses to ultra-thin high-index lenses to special UV-blocking and anti-reflective coatings, today's lenses are designed to enhance your vision and comfort.

If you plan to wear contacts, you'll need a special exam in addition to your comprehensive eye exam. During the contact lens exam, your optometrist will measure your eyes to determine the lens size you'll need and evaluate your tear film to ensure that you'll be able to wear contact lenses comfortably. Thanks to new types of lenses that retain moisture longer, contacts can be a good choice even if your eyes tend to be a little dry.

Is it time for your eye exam? Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

American Optometric Association: Visual Acuity: What is 20/20 Vision?

All About Vision: Eye Exams

American Academy of Ophthalmology: What is Presbyopia?, 2/21/19

American Optometric Association: With Childhood Myopia Rates on the Rise, the American Optometric Association Highlights the Importance of Early Intervention through Annual Eye Exams, 3/1/19

Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

  • I have been seeing Dr. William Berk for the last 20 years and have always received top notch service. Highly recommend Dr. Bill and his wife Dr. Anne Berk.

    - July 26, 2022
  • dr. anne is the best! she is really caring, professional, and hilarious. not many can make an eye exam enjoyable, but she and her staff are successful! :)

    - June 9, 2020
  • Love Dr. Anne! She is fantastic and so helpful figuring out solutions for seeing well in all areas of life! Thank you! Also staff is friendly and caring and was super happy to have photos instead of dilation and no more air puffs for eye pressure! State of the art!

    - September 22, 2022
  • I have been going here for over 6 years. They are thorough and care sbout your eye health. They also have great service. I definitely recommend them.

    - January 14, 2023
  • Great people great service been coming to them for 30 years😍

    - October 27, 2022
  • Getting new frames is always a painless and pleasant experience here. The staff are professional and friendly.

    - August 27, 2022
  • This place is awesome. Everyone is so nice and you feel like you are getting the best deal. This is my new eye place. The best ever. Thank you all for treating me with professionalism.

    - January 15, 2023
  • Friendly staff, welcoming setting, professional opinions, and great prices! Dr Kimmi is the best! Can’t recommend this place highly enough!

    - January 26, 2023
  • I really love all the people at HV Vision Source! The doctors listen to any questions or concerns I have & never give up on helping me. Thanks so much❣️

    - January 28, 2023
  • My Happy Valley Vision Source appointment went well. Dr. Chan was very helpful and informative regarding my vision requirements. I recommend them if you need eye care.

    - May 19, 2023
  • This was my first time at this office. Everything from the booking experience to the exam to the final payment was great. Everyone was very professional. I'll definitely be back and recommend this place!

    - March 10, 2023
  • The doctor and staff were great. Very knowledgeable and willing to answer all my questions and help me select a new pair of glasses. Thank you for the great service.

    - March 18, 2023
  • I arrived early. Only waited about 5 minutes. I ❤️ Dr.Nguyen. She's like a breath of fresh air. She diagnosed my issue quickly and I'm on the road to recovery! Thank you!😊

    - July 5, 2023
  • Completed my eye exam within an hour and everyone there is nice. Probably the best office I have been to throughout my life having glasses.

    - May 11, 2023
  • Wonderful experience, and very helpful getting my vision back to perfect.

    - June 9, 2023
  • I had the best experience here! I would recommend Happy Valley Vision Source to anyone looking for a new place to have an eye exam. I love my glasses and contacts and the staff was amazing!

    - May 23, 2023

Hours of Operation

Due to appointment demand, you may be charged a minimum $39 fee if you cancel or miss your appointment without 24 hour notice.

Office Hours

Monday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Office Hours

Monday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

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