Eye Exams

How often should I have my eyes examined?   Dr. Eveland  recommends  
an annual eye exam to monitor your eye and vision health.  Many eye and
vision disorders can be detected and treated early before they cause vision
loss.  Remember check yearly to see clearly!

At what age should children first have their eyes examined?     The
American Optometric Association recommends comprehensive eye and vision
exams first at 6 months of age and then again at age 3 or 4.  Our doctors
recommend parents definitely bring their children in for an exam before they
start school and sooner if they notice any squinting, eye-turns, poor
coordination, headaches or if there is any family history of eye or vision
problems.  Our doctors participate in the
InfantSEE program.  This is a public
health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an
integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under
this program they will provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment within
the first year of life as a no cost public health service.

Contact Lenses

Is there anything new for contact lens wearers?      Contact lens
technology has progressed at an amazing pace recently.  We now have
continuous wear silicone lenses that many patients can safely wear without
taking out for up to 30 days!  These new lenses let about 6 times more oxygen
through to your eyes than any other lens we have ever had.

We also have daily disposable contact lenses that are extremely convenient,
in that, they remove the need to store and clean you contacts.   

Acuvue Oasys contact lenses with Hydroclear technology can significantly
reduce contact lens dryness.

We also have new soft disposable contact lenses that even correct your vision
if you have astigmatism or need bifocals.  

There are also many new colored contact lens options.

Eyeglasses

What is the difference between no-line (progressive) bifocals and lined
bifocals?    
 After age 40, most people need new glasses for
reading small print .  In the past people had to choose from readers or lined
bifocals.  The lined bifocals had a upper distance vision lens with a lower
reading vision lens.  The two parts of the lens were divided by a visible line.  
Now people have choices.  Progressive lenses, or no-line bifocals, correct for
far, near and intermediate distances.  They “progressively” get stronger for
near vision as you look down to the bottom of the lens.  This gets rid of the
need for the distracting line.  It also gives you more natural  vision at all
distances, not just far and very close.  Family Eyecare Associates carries the
top quality progressive lenses, including Varilux, to help give you the best
vision possible.

How do I make my lenses lighter and thinner?       New laboratory
technology has allowed for lighter and thinner eyeglass lenses.  We offer new
high index types of plastic that can significantly reduce the thickness
and weight of lenses.  The days of “coke-bottle” glasses are gone!   

What can I do if I have problems with glare?        With ordinary lenses,
headlights and street lights create distracting double images that can hurt your
eyes.  Long hours in front of a  computer screen and harsh
fluorescent lighting can really make for tired eyes.   Crizal brand anti-reflective
lenses have  been proven in  studies to dramatically reduce eye fatigue
caused by light  reflections.  Crizal lenses also eliminate those annoying glare
and reflections and let the natural beauty of your eyes shine through.

What are the best kind of sunglasses or the lake?         It is extremely
important to protect your eyes  from the damaging UV rays from the sun.  UV
can contribute to cataracts and macular degeneration.  Please be sure to
ask  your doctor about having a UV protective coating put on your outdoor
lenses.  The Family Eyecare Associates also highly  recommends polarized
sun-wear while playing on or around the lake.  Polarization is like a chemical
venetian blind which rearranges light and lets you see "through" glare.  100%  
polarized lenses are the only truly effective way of eliminating glare off  
water, rain, snow, early morning dew and roads and highways.

Laser Refractive Surgery

How do I know if refractive surgeries like LASIK are for me?      LASIK
has allowed thousands of people to significantly reduce their dependence on
glasses.  The best way to find out if you are a good candidate is to ask your
primary eye-care providers, the doctors at the Family Eyecare Associates.  
They can perform special tests that can determine if you are a good LASIK or
other refractive surgery candidate.  If they feel you are a good candidate they
will help you make an informed decision whether surgery is your best option
and which surgeon and surgery site would be best for you.  They also can do
all the follow-up visits right here at the Lake of the Ozarks office to make sure
your eyes heal correctly after surgery.

How much does LASIK cost?        Custom-Wavefront LASIK now is down to
$2000-4000 for both eyes.  This includes all the pre-operative testing, post-op
visits and the surgery itself.  There are excellent payment plans available.  
Some insurance companies do give a discount, but rarely pay for the entire
procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Family Eyecare Associates

Call for an
appointment

Lake Ozark
365-3717

Laurie
374-5222

Camdenton
346-5951

Lebanon
(417) 532-2562