French Eye Care Center, PLLC

01/02/2026

Binocular Vision Friday: Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) Remediation

There’s a soft deadline for fixing a lazy eye, and it’s one many parents don’t realize exists. ⏰

Amblyopia develops when the brain favors one eye over the other during early childhood. 👁️

During the early years, the brain is extremely adaptable and willing to relearn how to see. 🧠

This time is known as the critical period of vision development.

For most children, the brain responds best to treatment before about age eight. 👶

That’s when glasses, patching, or vision therapy can make the biggest impact.

After this window, the brain becomes less flexible and improvement takes more effort. ⚠️

Progress is still possible later in life, but it is often slower and more limited.

This is why early eye exams are not optional, they are essential. 🩺

Many children with a lazy eye show no obvious symptoms at home or school.

By the time vision problems are noticed, valuable time may already be lost. ⌛

Don’t wait, because early treatment works best and protects your child’s lifelong vision. 👓. Call us today at 304.586.0970 to schedule your child's exam.

01/01/2026

12/31/2025

Cataracts Wednesday: Secondary Cataracts 🔄

Secondary cataracts can develop when another eye condition interferes with the clarity of the lens.

Inflammation from uveitis, long-standing glaucoma, or even prior eye surgery can trigger this type of cataract.

Unlike age-related cataracts, secondary cataracts are often linked directly to an underlying medical issue.

That means treatment is never just about the cloudy lens alone.

We must also carefully manage the original condition that caused the problem in the first place. 👁️ If inflammation or pressure remains uncontrolled, vision can continue to decline.

This is why regular monitoring is so important for patients with known eye diseases. Secondary cataracts may progress quietly before symptoms feel severe.

Blurry vision, glare, or difficulty reading are often early warning signs. Staying on top of follow-up visits allows us to act before vision loss becomes disruptive. 🩺

Modern treatments are very effective when problems are caught early. Consistency with care protects not only your eyesight, but your long-term eye health.

If you already have an eye condition, awareness and follow-ups are your strongest defense. 🔍 Call us today at 304.586.0970

12/30/2025

Diabetes and Double Vision 👓👀

Did you know diabetes can sometimes cause double vision?

When blood sugar levels are poorly controlled, the nerves that move your eyes can be affected. This may cause one eye to drift slightly out of alignment, leading to double images.

It can make reading, driving, or even walking difficult.

While some cases resolve as blood sugar improves, others need prism glasses or further treatment.

Double vision is always a red flag that deserves attention. 👨‍⚕️

If you’re diabetic and notice sudden changes like this, don’t ignore it—see your eye doctor right away.

Together, we can find out if it’s related to diabetes, nerves, or another issue.

Protecting your vision means acting quickly when problems arise.

Call today to schedule an exam if you’ve noticed unusual changes in your sight. 304.586.0970

12/29/2025

Polycarbonate vs. Trivex: Which Is Safer? 🛡️

When it comes to impact resistance, two materials stand out: polycarbonate and Trivex.

Both are lightweight, strong, and shatter-resistant.

That’s why we recommend them for kids, athletes, and anyone working in hazardous environments. 🏀

Polycarbonate lenses have been the gold standard for years. Trivex is newer, with similar toughness but often better optical clarity. Both provide built-in UV protection. 🌞

The choice comes down to personal preference and sometimes cost.

One thing is certain: these lenses are far safer than traditional plastic or glass.

For children’s eyewear, safety isn’t optional—it’s essential. Protecting eyes means preventing lifelong damage. 👶

👉 If you or your child need durable glasses, ask us about polycarbonate or Trivex at your next visit.

The photos don't look any different from the front, but the vision from the back through the lenses can be strikingly different.

😎

12/28/2025

Glaucoma Sunday - the Importance of Family History

Family history matters more than most people realize when it comes to eye health. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

If a parent, sibling, or grandparent has glaucoma, your own risk goes up significantly. 👁️ Glaucoma often runs silently in families, passing risk from one generation to the next.

That’s why asking simple questions about your family’s eye history is so important. 🗣️ Many patients are surprised to learn that eye diseases can be inherited just like heart disease or diabetes.

Knowing your family history helps your eye doctor watch more closely for early warning signs.

Early detection is critical because glaucoma usually has no symptoms at first. ⚠️ By the time vision changes are noticed, damage may already be permanent.

Sharing eye health information within your family can protect more than just one person’s vision. 🤝 It also encourages loved ones to stay on track with regular eye exams.

Family exams can create accountability and catch problems earlier for everyone. One conversation today could prevent vision loss years down the road. 🛡️

Ask, share, and schedule eye exams together whenever possible.

Protecting your family’s sight starts with awareness and action.

Call us today for your glaucoma examination. 304.586.0970

12/27/2025

Watery Eyes Can Actually Mean Dry Eye!

💧 Tears running down your face? It may be Dry Eye.

It sounds backward, but it’s true: watery eyes often signal Dry Eye Syndrome.

When your eyes are too dry, they send emergency signals to your brain, which triggers reflex tearing. These tears are mostly water, not the balanced mixture your eyes need, so they spill over instead of sticking around.

The result? Constant watering but no lasting relief.

Patients are often shocked to learn that watery eyes can mean dryness. The solution isn’t to dry things up, but to restore balance to the tear film.

👉 If you’ve been battling watery eyes, let us get to the root cause—it might just be Dry Eye.

12/26/2025

The 3 Main Causes of Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)

Not all “lazy eyes” are the same, and that detail truly matters when it comes to treatment 👁️

Amblyopia is a condition where the brain favors one eye over the other, leading to reduced vision in the weaker eye.

👁️ One common cause is strabismic amblyopia, which happens when an eye turn causes the brain to ignore input from one eye.

👁️ Another type is refractive amblyopia, where a large difference in prescription between the two eyes leads the brain to rely on the clearer one 👓

👁️ A third cause is deprivation amblyopia, which occurs when something blocks light from entering the eye, such as a cataract or droopy eyelid.

Each of these causes affects vision in a different way. Because of that, each type requires a very specific and targeted treatment plan.

Patching alone is not always the answer, and glasses alone may not be enough. This is why guessing or delaying care can permanently limit vision development.

The good news is that when amblyopia is identified early, treatment can be very effective 🙌

A comprehensive eye exam allows us to determine the exact cause. Once we know the cause, we can guide the brain to use both eyes together properly.

If you or your child has been told there is a “lazy eye,” don’t stop at the label. Find out which type it is and take the right next step with a full eye exam today ✅

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from Dr. French and the French Eye Care Center Staff.

12/24/2025

Drug-Induced Cataracts 💊

Certain medications—especially long-term corticosteroids—can increase cataract risk.

Some antipsychotics and diuretics have also been linked.

If you take any of these, regular eye monitoring is essential.

The goal isn’t to stop the medication but to track and manage any changes early.

👉 Ask us about your medication’s impact on your eyes during your next visit. We’ll keep your vision safe. 👨‍⚕️

Schedule your eye health examination today. Call 304.586.0970

12/23/2025

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Explained 🔬

When diabetic retinopathy progresses, it can become proliferative, meaning new blood vessels start to grow.

At first, that might sound like a good thing—but these vessels are weak and fragile.

Instead of helping, they leak and bleed easily, causing floaters, blurry vision, or even retinal detachments.

This is one of the most dangerous stages of diabetic eye disease.

But here’s the good news: we have treatments like laser therapy and injections that can slow down or stop the damage.

The key is catching it early, before scar tissue builds up.

Regular eye exams are your best defense against this silent thief of sight. 👁️

Don’t wait for symptoms—they often arrive too late. Schedule your eye exam and let’s keep your eyes safe from vision-threatening changes. Call 304.586.0970

12/22/2025

High-Index Lenses: Thinner Isn’t Always Better 📏

Nobody wants “coke-bottle” glasses.

That’s where high-index lenses come in—they’re thinner and lighter than standard plastic lenses. For strong prescriptions, this makes a big difference in comfort and appearance. 🤓

But thinner doesn’t always mean better for everyone. High-index lenses can be more reflective (which makes coatings important) and sometimes limit frame choices.

The right material depends on your prescription strength, frame style, and lifestyle. Some patients benefit hugely from high-index, while others may do just as well with regular or mid-index lenses.

An optometrist’s job is to balance clarity, weight, durability, and cost.

Glasses should look great and feel comfortable. 👓

👉 Curious if high-index lenses are right for you?

Let’s review your prescription together at your next exam. Call to schedule today: 304.586.0970

😎