At North County Laser Eye Associates, we are committed to protecting and improving the vision of our patients. Dr. Oliver Chen is our staff optometrist who provides patients with individualized vision care. He understands that everyone has different vision needs according to their unique, personal lifestyles and strives to find a vision correction solution that is most appropriate for each patient. He offers customized fittings for contact lenses and glasses, comprehensive eye exams, and other services at our Carlsbad practice serving North County and all of San Diego.
Eye Exams at Our Carlsbad Practice
Routine eye exams are very important when it comes to the health of your eyes. While rubbing the eyes, squinting, and frequent headaches are common signs of a vision problem, some eye conditions develop without any symptoms and can only be discovered through routine eye exams. At North County Laser Eye Associates, we provide eye exams to patients from Carlsbad and other areas throughout San Diego.
What happens during a regular eye exam?
Dr. Oliver Chen begins all eye exams at our Carlsbad practice with a complete medical health history. This is important since allergies and high blood pressure, as well as certain diseases and prescriptions can cause changes in a person’s vision.
After gathering the patient’s complete medical history, Dr. Chen uses optometric instruments to check the interior and exterior of the patient’s eyes for any signs of defects or diseases. He also checks the patient’s eye coordination, color and depth perception, and ability to see at near and far distances. Information gathered from the eye exams helps Dr. Chen determine whether or not a patient needs medication, corrective eyewear, or another form of treatment.
Because Dr. Chen dilates the eyes during routine eye exams, it is very common for a patient’s eyes to be sensitive to sunlight after their exam. At our San Diego practice in North County, we recommend that patients bring sunglasses to wear after their exam. We also provide disposable sunglasses for patients if they need them.
How often should I have an eye exam?
Since eye exams are necessary for preventive vision care, patients should schedule them regularly. Adults in their mid-20s to early-30s should have their eyes checked every two years. Individuals in their late-thirties and older should schedule yearly eye exams since their age marks an important time for vision changes and the development of eye diseases. Similarly, individuals who wear contact lenses should schedule routine eye exams every year. Dr. Oliver Chen is an optometrist who provides eye exams and other services to patients from throughout North County and San Diego. Contact our practice to schedule an eye exam with Dr. Chen.
Brands of Glasses, Specialty Lenses, and More
Our comprehensive eye exams help patients determine whether they can benefit from glasses. Our optometry practice in Carlsbad, provides individuals from North County and San Diego with a huge selection of glasses and sunglasses made by popular manufacturers. Some of the brands we carry include:
- Calvin Klein
- Dior
- Flexon®
- Gucci
- Kate Spade
- Kio Yamato
- Lindberg
- Maui Jim®
- Oakley
- Oliver Peoples
- Silhouette®
- Tom Ford
Special Lenses for Your Glasses
All of our eyeglasses and sunglasses can be customized with specialty lenses to better suit your lifestyle needs. Our specialty lenses include:
Teflon® Clear Coat Anti-reflective lenses
Ordinary eyeglass lenses can cause hazy images, halos, and other reflections under certain lighting circumstances that make it difficult to see. Fortunately, the Teflon® clear anti-reflective coat was created to successfully eliminate lens reflections, not only enabling you to enjoy clearer and sharper
vision, but allowing others to see your eyes more clearly as well. Plus, because lenses are covered with Teflon® technology, they are protected from scratches and are easy to wipe clean.
Polarized Lenses
An excellent lens feature for individuals who spend most of their time outdoors, polarized lenses are designed to effectively reduce glare that is caused by the sun. They work by using polarizing filters to block sunlight, resulting in not only improved visibility, but improved clarity as well. Polarized lenses come in various tints to improve your visibility in different lighting conditions.
Transitions® Photochromatic Lenses
When we spend time outdoors, ultraviolet (UV) rays are present all around us, whether it is sunny or cloudy. These rays have proven harmful to the eyes. However, you can protect your eyes from dangerous UV rays with Transitions® Photochromatic Lenses. These lenses are effective at blocking dangerous UV rays 100 percent of the time by automatically responding and adjusting to the lighting in the environment. Because Transitions® lenses
are photochromatic, they change from clear to dark whenever UV rays are present. Not only do the lenses protect from harmful rays,but they also reduce painful glare from the sun and improve visual quality.
Other Corrective Eyewear Services
Our optometry practice also provides repair and adjustment services for all corrective eyewear, including sunglasses. In addition, we offer in-house edging and lens finishing, enabling us to fill most prescriptions by the next business day, or in some cases, even sooner.
Contact Lenses and Fittings
In addition to our comprehensive eye exams and fittings for glasses, our Carlsbad practice offers custom fittings for all types of contact lenses, including:
- Soft lenses
- RGP lenses
- Toric lenses
- Daily disposables
- Colored lenses
- SynergEyes
What happens during a contact lens fitting?
During a contact lens fitting, Dr. Oliver Chen measures the eyes’ surface and curvature to determine the correct contact lens size. He also closely examines the cornea to make sure there aren’t any additional factors that may make wearing contact lenses difficult. The patient then tries on various trial lenses to determine which ones fit the most comfortably. To schedule a contact lens fitting appointment, contact Dr. Chen today.
Insurance Plans We Work With
We work with a number of insurance plans and make sure you get the most out of your benefits when you come in for eye exams or other optometry services at our Carlsbad practice. Some of the insurance plans we accept include:
- Vision Service Plan (VSP)
- Spectera
- EyeMed
- Medical Eye Services
- Davis Vision
We work with other insurance plans as well, and have a variety of financing options to choose from. Contact our practice to learn more about the specific insurance financing options available to you.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist
Dr. Oliver Chen is a caring optometrist who provides comprehensive eye exams and other services to his patients in Carlsbad and throughout San Diego. Contact North County Laser Eye Associates today to schedule an appointment.
