Frequently Asked Questions

At Crane Optical, we are committed to providing full professional services. Dr. Crane, a qualified, registered optometrist is waiting to answer any questions you may have regarding the health of your eyes or the lenses you wear.

Contact us via email at Service@CraneOptical.com or by phone at (248) 545-5600.

The following section contains the most frequently asked questions from patients of Crane Optical.

Q: How often should I get my eyes examined?
A: It is recommended that you get a yearly exam - more often if you are having problems or have certain eye conditions.

Q: How long should an eye examination take?
A: It depends on the patient. A young, healthy person with no apparent problems will take about 20 minutes. Someone older, perhaps with high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, or other ailments can take much longer. The optometrist will determine what clinical tests are needed to provide the correct information for new glasses or contact lenses. If necessary, the patient may be referred to another specialist.

Q: How old does a child have to be before he or she can have an eye examination?
A: Any age really. A child's eyes have finished developing by the time they are about eight years old. Many health authorities screen children in the area of around three years of age. If you are concerned or if there are members of your family with eye problems, then it is best to have your child's eyes examined as soon as possible. All children should have their eyes examined before they start school.

Q: Is it true that wearing glasses all the time will make my eyes lazy and I will become dependent on the glasses?
A: No. People who wear the proper glasses realize that they can see more clearly and comfortably. What they may have considered normal and acceptable before is now inferior by comparison. Also, not wearing your glasses puts more strain on your eyes which could make them worse.

Q: I am diabetic. Does that make a difference?
A: Yes. Diabetes can cause severe problems with your eyesight. It is important that your eyes are checked every year, preferably with drops to dilate the pupil, so that the retina (back of the eye) can be examined thoroughly.

Q: If there is a history of glaucoma in my family, am I likely to inherit it?
A: If there is glaucoma in your family, you may be more at risk of developing it. Glaucoma can be treated effectively if it is diagnosed in time, so be sure to have a regular eye examination.

Q: What are cataracts?
A: A cataract is when the lens inside the eye gets cloudy - preventing you from seeing clearly. It is not a curtain or a film that grows over the eye. Cataracts develop to a greater or lesser extent in people's eyes in different ways.

Q: I have been told that I cannot wear contact lenses because I have astigmatism. Is this true?
A: There are many kinds of contact lenses available now which will correct astigmatism, both in soft and gas-permeable materials. A thorough eye examination can determine if you are a candidate for these new lenses.

Q: What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
A: An optometrist is a licensed doctor trained to diagnose and treat vision disorders. They can also diagnose and treat many conditions such as eye infections (pink eye, as an example), remove foreign bodies, and glaucoma. For conditions they do not treat, they will refer you to the appropriate specialist. An ophthalmologist's training is mostly medical. They usually treat eye disease, do surgery, and have less training for vision. Many ophthalmologists will specialize in a specific part of the eye, such as the cornea (front of the eye), retina (back of the eye), or the eye lids.

Q: What happens if the frames are defective or break?
A: We provide a two-year warranty from the date of purchase against defects on all products we sell (unless specified). We will repair or replace the frame that has broken under normal usage conditions with the same or similar product, subject to availability.

Q: I think I have good eyesight but I would like to wear glasses as a fashion accessory. Would an optician be prepared to give me glasses that do not change my vision?
A: If you have had your eyes checked and they are as good as you think, then your practitioner will have no objection to you having plain or tinted lenses in a frame of your choice, or contact lenses that can enhance or change the color of your eyes.

Eye Health Issues

Dry Eye
Dry eye is a very common condition that can have many different causes, among them are age, allergies, injuries, and disease. It is best to be treated by an eye doctor for this, because they can perform procedures or prescribe medications that are much more effective than trying to select from a confusing array of drops at the drugstore, which, by the way, can sometimes worsen the condition.

Floaters
Floaters are a common condition where dark specs are seen in your vision. Even though in most cases they are benign, it is best to discuss them with your eye doctor. If they appear suddenly, are accompanied by flashes of light, or if part of your vision is blurred, distorted, or missing, immediate attention should be sought, since this can indicate a serious sight-threatening condition.

Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. The cloudiness usually causes various degrees of blurred vision and prescription change is usually seen. Cataracts are usually caused by aging. However, ultraviolet exposure is a known contributing factor as well as poor diet, smoking, and trauma. Your eye doctor can easily diagnose this condition and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Children: Vision exams, back to school, computer use
Children, because of their rapid growth, often have changing eyes. They are often unaware of vision problems because they have become accustomed to how they are seeing and do not realize that they need some help. Because good vision is so important to do their best at school and to function on a computer, regular eye exams are very important.

Color Deficiency
Color deficiency is more commonly seen in males than in females. It is usually hereditary. In some cases, it can be caused by disease or injury. Individuals who have this condition usually are not colorblind because they can still see colors, except they have varying degrees of inability to tell the difference between certain colors like red and green.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure of the fluid in the eye is too great. Most of the time it can go unnoticed until it is too late because symptoms are few while the disease is in its early stages. It is something that should be checked for at yearly eye exams so that it can be caught early to avoid as much vision loss as possible.

Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery uses a cool laser to reshape the surface of the eye. It is mostly used to help nearsightedness and astigmatism, along with some farsightedness. It is best to realize that although it will permanently change your vision, it will not necessarily prevent you from needing glasses or contacts in the future. This is because it will not prevent your eyes from changing. It is best to consult your eye doctor to determine if you are a good candidate, and to make sure you research the laser center where you have the procedure, to insure your satisfaction.

Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is a serious condition where you lose your central vision. It becomes more common with age and dramatically lessens your ability to see details. Fortunately, treatments are available that may halt or lessen the effects of this disease, which is why it is important to have regular eye exams and to seek vision care whenever changes in your vision are noticed.