Keratoconus & Astigmatism: What’s the Difference?

Keratoconus & Astigmatism: What’s the Difference? by Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS April 11, 2024 If you have keratoconus, an eye doctor has almost assuredly told you that you have astigmatism. Keratoconus and astigmatism can get confused. What are they and how are they related to one another? The Short Explanation Keratoconus is an eye disease…

Read More

Do Hard Contacts Help Keratoconus?

Do Hard Contacts Help Keratoconus? by Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS March 19, 2024   If you wonder if hard contacts can help keratoconus, please read on! The short answer is that yes, hard contact lenses can help keratoconus. However, there is much more you need to know to understand what is meant by this. “Hard…

Read More

Keratoconus Specialist in San Diego?

Keratoconus Specialist in San Diego? by Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS February 14, 2024 Did you know that no law-abiding optometrist in San Diego – or anywhere else in California – will claim that they are a “keratoconus specialist”? This is because optometrists licensed in California are prohibited from holding themselves out as having special knowledge…

Read More

Can You Have Keratoconus in One Eye?

Can You Have Keratoconus in One Eye? by Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS January 21, 2024   The short answer is that keratoconus naturally affects both eyes. But this is a trick question. There are unusual and unexpected instances of keratoconus in just one eye! Read on to learn how. Keratoconus Affects Both Eyes As a…

Read More

Soft Contacts for Keratoconus: Fantasy or Possibility?

Soft Contacts for Keratoconus: Fantasy or Possibility? by Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS December 27, 2023 Most keratoconus patients have custom rigid surface contact lenses as their lifeline to navigate the world. For mild corneal distortion, glasses and soft disposable contact lenses sometimes will afford adequate vision. Yet in most cases of keratoconus with more corneal…

Read More

Where to Get Eyes Checked in San Diego?

Where to Get Eyes Checked in San Diego? by Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS October 29, 2023 Where should you and your family get eyes checked? There is ample choice in San Diego, serving the differing eye care needs of our population. In Southern California, there are two optometry schools and four ophthalmology institutions. These programs…

Read More

Does Myopia Prevention Exploit Your Anxiety?

Does Myopia Prevention Exploit Your Anxiety? by Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS September 19, 2023 Have you noticed more eye care practices advertising myopia prevention? This emerging service is also called “myopia control” and “myopia management”. The longstanding treatment for myopia improves vision using traditional glasses and contact lenses, or laser vision correction. Myopia prevention goes…

Read More

Getting Closure on Incomplete Blink

Getting Closure on Incomplete Blink by Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS August 12, 2023 Did you know that some people cannot fully close their eyes? This condition is called lagophthalmos. While you might believe that this is a biological curiosity – just like yawns and hiccups – lagophthalmos can cause miserable pain due to the sensitive…

Read More

Why Do New Contact Lenses Require Examination?

Why Do New Contact Lenses Require Examination? by Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, FSLS July 20, 2023 In the US, disposable contact lenses are Class II medical devices which require a prescription for purchase. Nonetheless, contact lens manufacturers market them directly to consumers as if no prescription is required. Despite the misleading suggestion that contact lenses are…

Read More