Eye Care Info Center

Children’s Vision

We all wish our children to attain their highest potential in life! By providing them with high quality eye care, we can be sure their eyes will not be holding them back from reaching those dreams. Uncorrected vision problems can be a barrier for kids in every area of their development, be it the more obvious areas of academics and athletics or more subtle areas, such as social development. As a parent, we suggest you give your child this advantage and follow the American Optometric Association’s recommendations for your child’s eye care.

Infant Vision

Your baby has a lifetime to use her eyes, but did you know that there are many things you can do along the way to help your baby’s eyes and vision develop?

  • During the First 4 Months – Your baby should start to follow moving objects with his eyes and start reaching for objects progressively more accurately as eye-hand coordination and depth perception begin to develop. You can help by using a night light or a dim lamp in the nursery, place your baby in different positions in the crib and in the room, surrounding your baby with bright colors and toys with high color contrasts, hanging a mobile above and outside the crib and always alternating right and left sides when feeding (whether breast or bottle feeding). Babies at this age typically have the best focal range between 8 and 12 inches.
  • Between 4 and 8 Months – Your baby should begin to develop better eye-body and eye-hand coordination as well as eye movement skills. The eyes should focus equally and baby should begin to use his arms and legs more and to move side to side. Help your baby’s development by giving him lots of freedom to move and explore. Hang mobiles and toys across his crib or car seat. Play games like peek-a-boo and patty-cake and make sure he sees and feels lots of different shapes and textures of objects with fingers and hands. Dr. Tamano Fletcher and the Association of Optometry recommend that your baby have his first eye examination at the age of six months.
  • From 8 to 12 Months – This is the age your baby should start crawling and pulling herself up on furniture. She should be able to reliably use the eyes together and judge distance and grasp and throw objects increasingly well. Crawling is an important part of developing full body coordination, so don’t rush your baby in walking. Give her lots of bright visual stimulation in conjunction with the tactile, using toys like large piece puzzles or toys that can be taken apart or stacked.

From 1 to 2 Years

Your baby’s eyes will be continuing their development in eye-hand coordination, depth perception as well as visual clarity. Continue to stimulate development with bright toys, balls and simple puzzles. Help him climb and explore both indoors and out. Dr. Tamano Fletcher will want to follow up with his development at approximately 18 months, though you should call her sooner if you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s eyes.

Pre-School

Your baby is now a toddler and is developing many visual skills, quite literally learning how to see. She will be improving in her visually guided eye-hand-body coordination, fine motor skills and the visual motor skills necessary to learn to read.

This is the time for parents to be aware of signs that may indicate a vision development problem, such as a short attention span, avoidance of close detailed activities like coloring, difficulty with eye-hand-body coordination in activities such as riding a bike. Help your pre-schooler’s vision develop by reading to her while she is also looking at the words in the book, use finger paints and sidewalk chalk, play with blocks and leggos, use the jungle gym at the playground.

Make your child’s eye care visit a fun experience by talking about it ahead of time and scheduling during a time of day when she is least likely to be tired or hungry. Of course, Dr. Tamano Fletcher recommends yearly exams, but please come in sooner if you have any concerns about your child’s eyes.

School Age

Your child will be using his vision all day every day at school. A good education means good vision, as well as good schools and teachers and friends. If the eyes are not functioning properly, your child’s ability to learn and read and remember may be severely effected. There are several basic skills needed for academic success:

  • Near vision Clarity – clear comfortable vision at 10-13 inches.
  • Distance Vision Clarity – clear comfortable vision beyond arm’s length
  • Binocular Coordination – the ability the two eyes to move, focus and point together
  • Eye Movement Skills – the ability to aim the eyes accurately, move them smoothly across a page and shift them quickly and accurately from one object to another, such as moving from the end of one line of words to the beginning of the next
  • Focusing Skills – the ability to keep both eyes focused accurately at the needed distance while seeing clearly and being able to change focus quickly
  • Peripheral Awareness – the ability to be aware of objects to the side while looking directly ahead
  • Eye-Hand Coordination – ability to use the eyes and hands together for skills such as writing and sports.

Behavioral Vision and Vision Therapy

Behavioral Vision refers to specialized vision care that is holistic in nature. “20/20” is the term we use to denote seeing well at 20 feet away; it does not refer to how clearly or comfortably you see at 12-16 inches, the distance at which you do most of your close work. Unfortunately, most eye care providers do not test anything beyond the clarity of your vision at distance. Dr. Tamano Fletcher is a Behavioral Vision Care specialist. She approaches your vision care from a holistic standpoint and has extensively studied the effects of various stresses on vision at all different distances.

She spends additional time during an exam analyzing vision behavior to gain more information about any potential visual imbalances. The things she watches closely for in all patients are not only relating to vision clarity and function (problems with eye muscle coordination), but also visual processing problems that affect the ability to attend, concentrate, orient ourselves in our spatial worlds and to organize movement. Through the use of carefully selected stress-relieving and preventive lenses and Visual Therapy (visual training similar to physical therapy, but for the eyes), you can enjoy the best vision clarity and comfort you may yet have experienced for even the most visually-stressful conditions.

Eye glass Lines

Hospitality Eyecare Center is proud to offer a wide selection of quality eyeglass frames. It will be easy for you to find something that suits your tastes and will attract many compliments from friends and family. We also offer a wide price range that’s sure to meet the needs of any budget.

Contact Lenses

Hospitality Eyecare Center provides all brands of contact lenses, including daily replacement options, bifocal contact lenses, extended wear lenses, and toric astigmatism correcting lenses, as well as gas permeable lens modalities. Please ask Dr. Tamano Fletcher which lens option may best meet your vision needs.

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Eye Drop Solutions

There are many ocular conditions and diseases requiring eye drops for treatment. Many prescription and non-prescription drops may be purchased on our website.

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Vitamin Supplementation

Vitamin Supplementation is indicated in the treatment of several eye diseases, such as macular degeneration. Dr. Tamano Fletcher may suggest certain options for you and we do provide the option to purchase these through our website for your convenience.

Lasik

Dr. Tamano Fletcher has many years experience in pre- and post-operative refractive surgical care. She is proud to be a current NVision Affiliate and has a great deal of admiration for the surgical expertise of Drs. Tooma and Pirnazar. Ask for your free Lasik Consult. Dr. Tamano Fletcherwill make sure you receive the best care available!

Refractive Lensectomy

A non-Lasik refractive surgery option, refractive lensectomy provides good distance and near vision post-operatively for those over 40 years of age. Please ask Dr. Tamano Fletcher if you are a candidate and request your free consult.

Vision Therapy and Autism/ADD/ADHD

Vision plays such an all-encompassing role in human development. Often, when other diagnoses are involved, be it autism, ADD, ADHD, etc., visual health and function can be overlooked. Unfortunately, deficits in vision and visual function can play a huge adverse role in these situations.

Vision and visual function problems are common in those who have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum and can easily be overlooked or thought to be part of the other symptoms of the disorder. Having a visual evaluation by a Behavioral Optometrist may lead to treatment that often has a positive ripple effect on sensory development and integration.

ADD and ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorders, with 8.7% of children between the ages of 8 and 15 years being labeled as such. Now, while ADD and ADHD are real disorders, it is interesting to note that the DSM diagnoses codes used to make the definitive diagnoses are almost identical to the signs and symptoms of a learning-related vision problem. Dr. Tamano Fletcher, as a Behavioral Optometrist, will do a thorough assessment to determine the extent of any visual component in your child’s challenges.

If visual functional problems are found to exist, Dr. Tamano Fletcher may recommend Vision Therapy, a treatment program of eye exercises and visual training similar to Physical Therapy but for the eyes. Many functional problems can be wholly remediated by Vision Therapy treatment.

Sports Vision Therapy

One player in the 2009 Super Bowl was given a major advantage over others while still a child. The 25 year-old wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald, has a grandfather and an aunt who are Behavioral Optometrists in Chicago.

When Larry turned 12, his grandfather recognized his athleticism and adapted many of the vision therapy procedures to develop high level eye-hand coordination skills, visual control, spatial judgment and rhythm.

Sports Vision Therapy is an athletic training like any other type of fitness training, but on a much more fine-tuned level. Many athletes take advantage of this and their competitive ability is the pay-off for their effort. Let Dr. Tamano Fletcher know if you feel your game would benefit from visual training or if you have any related questions.

Vision Rehabilitation for Specialized Populations

Many specialized populations, such as mentally or physically disabled individuals or those who have experienced traumatic brains injury or stroke, can benefit from Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (comparable to physical therapy, but for the eyes). The training and treatment programs may vary widely between individuals and between medical situations. Each patient is assessed individually for their specific needs. We are not always able to remediate vision problems, but many can be helped radically by appropriate treatment. Hospitality Eyecare Center has a long and respected history in this area of treatment. Dr. Tamano Fletcher will start with a basic assessment and comprehensive examination and advise you from there.

Standard Eye Exam

While most eye doctors do a basic eye health check and vision clarity check, Dr. Tamano Fletcher’s unique approach to your examination means she will evaluate 14 points of your ocular health, 12 points of your binocular function and a two part lifestyle customization in addition to the traditional assessment for your visual clarity and glasses prescription. You may never have experienced a more thorough and personally customized exam – Dr. Tamano Fletcher hears this from patients all the time. And, most importantly, when the testing is completed, Dr. Tamano Fletcher takes time to explain your results and make recommendations for treatment or remediation of eye diseases or risk factors, as well as to educate you on corrective glasses designs, contact lenses, etc. that will best meet your needs. She will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. And if you find yourself back home after your appointment wishing you’d asked that one other question? Please call: Dr. Tamano Fletcher will be pleased to speak with you.

Eye conditions

  • Myopia—Also known as nearsightedness, myopia is the condition of the visual system where objects at a distance are more difficult to see than those up close. Corrective lenses, either glasses or contact lenses, or Lasik surgery are usually options to correct this condition.
  • Hyperopia— Also known as farsightedness, hyperopia is the condition of the visual system where the eyes must work to see objects at a distance and must work even harder to see up close. This condition often worsens with age as the visual system is less and less able to compensate. If uncorrected, this condition can have serious implications to reading, learning, etc. even in children. Corrective options, such as contact lenses and glasses as well as Lasik surgery are usually options to correct this condition.
  • Astigmatism— Astigmatism is caused by the irregularity of the refractive surfaces of the eye, where the eye may be shaped more like a football than a soccer ball. Of course this does not affect the outward appearance of the eye, but causes a decrease in vision no matter what the distance you are looking at. Astigmatism can usually be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or Lasik surgery.
  • Presbyopia— This is the condition that effects most people in their late 30’s or early 40’s. It causes the individual to have difficulty focusing on objects up close. Presbyopia requires a prescription of glasses or contact lenses that is different for distance viewing needs than for the up close. A bifocal or progressive lens in glasses can provide the correction needed. Multifocal contact lenses are also an option, as is monovision (correction with a contact lens of one eye for distance vision and the other eye for near vision). Lasik surgery can correct both eyes for good distance vision but those over 4o years of age often will need to wear reading glasses. Lasik surgery may also be done in a monovision modality, where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near. Dr. Tamano Fletcher highly recommends this procedure but never without first trying it with contact lenses to assure adaptation. There are other refractive surgical options Dr. Tamano Fletcher may discuss with those over 40 who require different distance and near prescriptions, leaving the individual without the need for any glasses post-operatively. Call Dr. Tamano Fletcher if you would like to know more.

Eye Diseases

  • Glaucoma—this is a disease where the pressure inside the eye is too high for the nerves and tissues in the back of the eye to remain healthy. It is a particularly dangerous disease because nothing hurts and your vision may seem fine. However, if left untreated, this disease can slowly take away your side vision and leave you with tunnel vision or complete blindness. Dr. Tamano Fletcher tests your eyes at each visit to ensure you do not have this disease. She may monitor you more frequently if you have certain risk factors or a family history of the disease.
  • Diabetic Retinopathy— Diabetes can have many negative effects on the body as a whole and specifically on the eyes. The longer one has diabetes, the higher the risk of ocular involvement. Also, if blood sugar levels are not controlled well, the risk of ocular involvement may increase. Those with diabetes must absolutely get a comprehensive eye examination every year, including retinal photos and dilated examination. If Dr. Tamano Fletcher notes any diabetic changes in the eyes, she may request that you come in more frequently than once yearly. It is typically not necessary at this point to see an eye specialist/ ophthalmologist unless ocular involvement becomes extensive – Dr. Tamano Fletcher will monitor your ocular health and will ensure your timely referral to the right eye specialist if the need arises.
  • Keratoconus — This is a disease of progressive steepening of the corneal surface. In severe cases, the tip of the corneal steepening may scar or even rupture, necessitating a corneal transplant. There are a number of treatment options, including the improvement of visual clarity with various contact lens modalities. There are also new treatments on the horizon to stop the steepening of the cornea altogether. Ask Dr. Tamano Fletcher if any of these options may be right for you.
  • Dry Eye Syndrome— Dry Eye Syndrome, also known as Dysfunctional Tear Syndrome, can occur at any age and affect either gender. However, we see it most frequently in pre-, peri-, and post-menapausal women. There are various causes, including certain systemic diseases, certain medications, dehydration, Lasik surgery, computer use, etc. Dr Corbett specializes in the treatment and remediation of Dry Eye Disease and will be sure to educate you on the specifics of your case and best treatment options. She screens all patients for this disease; research has now indicated up to 30% of people suffer some level of Dry Eye Syndrome. It may cause symptoms such as a burning or stinging sensation, watery eyes, poor or variable vision or a “scratchy” feeling in the eyes. While it can certainly be very uncomfortable, it is also a big concern from the health perspective: untreated dryness can cause severe tissue damage and compromise long-term visual ability. If you believe you may have this disease, please call and have Dr. Tamano Fletcher do a thorough assessment.
  • Age-Related Macular Degeneration – This disease is one of the most common causes of blindness in the elderly populations of America. It involves a degeneration of the most sensitive visual area of the retina, which may lead to decreased central vision while not interfering with peripheral vision. There are no cures at this time, though there are a number of treatments that may slow progression and maximize central vision. Research has shown that there are things each of us can do to decrease our chances of getting the disease: wear sun protection outdoors, take a daily multi-vitamin, do not smoke and stay away from second hand smoke, have a yearly comprehensive eye examination and maintain a healthy and moderate lifestyle. Ask Dr. Tamano Fletcher for more information if you have a family history of macular degeneration. She will partner with you to give you the best chance at avoiding or delaying the disease.

Computer Vision Syndrome

If you use a computer for more than a couple hours per day, you may very well be familiar with a collection of symptoms known as Computer Vision Syndrome. Symptoms may include burning or stinging eyes, blurred vision, slow refocusing, frequent loss of place, excessive blinking, headaches, glare, neck, shoulder or back pain, tension, irritability, drowsiness, to name only a few. Dr. Tamano Fletcher specializes in the assessment and treatment of Computer Vision Syndrome. There are many things Dr. Tamano Fletcher can do to help you as well as things you can do for yourself.