There are two types of eye doctors, optometrist and ophthalmologist, and the differences between the two can become very tricky for patients: Optometrist Optometrist are trained to diagnose and treat patients for both vision and health problems. Optometrists are licensed and can prescribe medications, as well as diagnose and treat a broad range of medical

No one likes eye exams - and it's not hard to see why. To get a good look inside the eye, and to photograph the retina and optic nerve, ophthalmologists need to dilate a patient's pupils. This requires eye drops that can sting and cause blurry vision and sensitivity to light for up to a few hours.
Now researchers have developed a retina camera that can take photos of structures inside the eye without the need for those annoying drops. Instead, a doctor focuses the pocket-sized prototype camera on the back of the eye using infrared light, which, unlike the white light from retina cameras commonly used by eye doctors, doesn't cause the pupil to constrict. Then a color image is snapped with a white flash before the pupil shrinks.

Material and manufacturing innovations are the secrets for more comfortable – and someday more interactive – vision correction
Around the world, more and more people are becoming nearsighted. Today’s younger generations have a much higher incidence of myopia than their parents do, according to public health data, and the rate is expected to keep rising in the years ahead. This creeping loss of distance vision is more advanced in developed countries, where young people spend large amounts of their time indoors. The problem is worst in Asia, where nearsightedness affects roughly half of the population. And it’s much higher in some subgroups.

With the addition of new managed care insurance plans and the changes in insurance benefits each year, this is certainly a legitimate question to ask. And, BEFORE the end of the year, now is the time to know if you have maximized your insurance benefits.

The term "vision insurance" is commonly used to describe health and wellness plans designed to reduce your costs for routine preventive eye care (eye exams) and prescription eyewear (eyeglasses and contact lenses). Some vision plans also offer discounts on elective vision correction surgery, such as LASIK and PRK. But unlike major medical insurance policies that may provide unlimited benefits after a certain co-pays and deductibles are met, most vision insurance plans are discount plans or wellness benefit plans that provide specific benefits and discounts for an annual premium.

Lasik surgery falling out of favor with patients. Heather Cherry's vision was fairly good, but the stay-at-home mom in rural Nevada was tired of reaching for her glasses when she wanted to see into the distance during a hike or fully enjoy the sight of wild horses grazing at the side of the road.

Lasik surgery falling out of favor with patients. Heather Cherry's vision was fairly good, but the stay-at-home mom in rural Nevada was tired of reaching for her glasses when she wanted to see into the distance during a hike or fully enjoy the sight of wild horses grazing at the side of the road.

So, you've just had an eye exam and your optometrist or ophthalmologist has given you an eyeglass prescription. He or she probably mentioned that you are nearsighted or farsighted, or perhaps that you have astigmatism. (If that's not the case, and you need to see an eye doctor, click here to find one near you.)