Feb 28, 2018 5 min read

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A practicing optometrist for 29 years, Dr. Lynn Pavlic OD, has a private optometry practice on Beau Street in Washington. She received her undergraduate degree from Washington & Jefferson College, her Bachelors of Visual Science from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1987 and her doctorate in 1989. We spoke with her about maintaining healthy vision, and for that, she stresses the importance of regular eye exams.

“Just because you don’t have a blurring of your vision does not necessarily mean you cannot have something lurking there. Not all eye problems and diseases, such as glaucoma, are going to cause blurred vision. You have no signs or symptoms of glaucoma until the very late stages.”

How often should adults have their eyes examined?

Typically every two years, but if you have existing systemic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol, exams should be done yearly. If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration, depending on the severity, we will determine each case individually. Patients with diabetes who may have the beginning stages of retinopathy may be seen on a more frequent basis, too. In addition to some systemic diseases, some drugs that are frequently prescribed have side effects that can harm vision, such as steroids, which can cause cataracts and glaucoma and placquenil – which can become toxic to the retina and cause a central loss of vision. These people need to be checked every six months.

When should children begin having their routine eye exams?

Typically around kindergarten age. However, if parent notices a child’s eye turning in, or notices difficulty with hand eye coordination or excessive balance issues, that could be a visual problem as well, and I suggest that they have their eyes checked earlier. Also, if there is a history of a large refractive error in either parent, I suggest that they get their eyes checked earlier. Infants to 4 years old typically would see a pediatric ophthalmologist, because they specialize in treating younger patients.

What can routine eye exams diagnose beyond range of vision?

Many systemic diseases can be detected from an eye exam, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol levels. In addition to those, inflammatory diseases, infections, neurological disorders – and even brain tumors can be diagnosed.

Children are viewing iPads, smart phones and television at younger and younger ages. What are some things parents should be aware of regarding the effect of screen time on children’s eyes?

I don’t believe that these devices are harmful to eyes any more than watching television. However, trying to maintain focusing at such a close distance for long periods of time can cause eyestrain and even headaches. I suggest taking breaks by looking up for a while and then back again. I instruct people who work on computers daily to do the same to strengthen their eye muscles.

Adults are using computer screens at work all day and then often at home. What can they do to protect their eyes?

Anti-reflective coating on glasses to cut down on the glare – some screens have this available as well.

As we age, what changes occur in our eyesight?

The first biggest change around the age of 40 is presbyopia, or the loss of ability to focus up close (read more on that on page 6). Next is usually developing problems with night vision, typically due to cataracts. Cataracts have to be removed and an intraocular lens is placed in the eye that for the most part allows the patient to see distance with only a small prescription for eye glasses. If patients choose, they can also have additional elective procedures to correct an astigmatism or special multi-focal intraocular lens to help them read without a bifocal lens.

Online eye glass ordering has become more popular. Are there any considerations you suggest if using this method?

It is fine to use if you need a single vision lens – distance or near vision only. If you have a specific lens along with presbyopia and you need a multi-focal or bi-focal lens, that’s when it becomes more difficult because those measurements have to be exact, if not you won’t see well with the glasses. Similar to buying shoes from a catalog, you might put them on and then realize they rub your pinky toe. Glasses you don’t try on first might not fit your bridge and temple length correctly, or they may be too tight or too big.

How can we best protect our eyes from the sun?

By using any type of UV (ultraviolet) protection; sunglasses – even bought in the stores will have a UV label on. Clear UV coatings can also be applied to any prescription pair of glasses. UV is connected to cataract formation and macular degeneration. Using protective eye wear from an early age actually helps throughout your life as far as eye sight and eye health is concerned.

Dr. Pavlic can be reached at 724-255-4440.