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Our Blog

Keep up-to-date on the latest vision-related news and eye care events in our Practice. The items are displayed by year and month. To view older entries use the links in the box below to select the year and month you would like.

man rubbing eyes from blurry vision

Why is My Vision Blurry? (Top Reasons + Treatments)

Blurry vision can make objects appear hazy, unclear, or out of focus. Understanding the causes of blurry vision and knowing when to seek help is essential for maintaining eye health....
woman wearing glasses smiling

10 Signs It’s Time for an Eye Exam

Here are ten tell-tale signs it’s time for an eye exam to protect your vision and overall eye health....
woman smiling at computer while wearing glasses

What is Astigmatism? (Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Solutions)

Astigmatism is a common eye condition that affects the way light enters the eye, leading to blurred or distorted vision. Learn what causes astigmatism, its symptoms, and the most effective treatment options available.
man getting his eyes dilated with eye drops

Skip the Drops: Pros and Cons of Optomap vs. Dilation

Hate getting your eyes dilated? You aren’t alone. Thanks to revolutionary technology, you may get to skip getting your eyes dilated at the eye doctor at your next visit...
eye disease exam

Cutting Edge Dry Eye Treatment Now Offered At Mill Creek Family Eye Center!

Let's face it, dealing with chronic dry eye is MISERABLE. At Mill Creek Family Eye Center we have a multitude of treatment modalities to help our patients manage their chronic dry eye condition. We are excited to formally announce the...
headache eye injury

What Causes Eye Floaters? (And What to Do About Them)

Eye floaters can be incredibly annoying. What causes them? How do you treat them? While eye floaters are typically nothing to worry about, they sometimes can be indicative of a more serious issue...
woman swimming with three kids without glasses

Can I Swim with Contact Lenses in? (Top Risks)

Contact lenses are a lifesaver for many sports and activities. But when it comes to swimming, contact lenses are a bad idea. Read on why taking out your contacts when you swim is so important.......
old man with watery eyes

Why Do My Eyes Keep Watering? (Top 5 Causes)

Not sure why your eyes are watering or how to treat them? Read on to learn. The top five causes of watery eyes are dry eyes, allergies, eyelid conditions, infection, and....
man covering eye in pain

Ouch! Basic First Aid for Eye Injuries

There are quite a few ways that eyes can be injured. In many situations, basic first aid will be all you need. In more severe cases, you will need professional medical attention. Different eye injuries require different care. From blunt...
woman applying mascara while wearing towel on her head

Makeup Trends & Eye Health (Risks & Tips)

Are eyelash extensions safe? What about permanent eye makeup? How can you avoid infection? This article dives into it all. Read on to learn how to maintain eye health without sacrificing your personal makeup style....
woman showing eyes behind hat

Thanks Mom and Dad (How Genetics Impact Eye Health)

The genes we inherit influence everything from what our eyes look like, to how well we see, to what ocular diseases we might contract. Read on to learn everything you need to know about genetics and eye health.
Wearing sunglasses

Find the Perfect Pair of Sunglasses (Top 5 Factors to Consider)

There are more to sunglasses than most people realize. Each lens color does something different. Every style compliments a different face. How do you select from the thousands of combinations? Read on to....  ...
Baby laying on tummy looking at camera

When Can Babies See? (A Complete Guide to Infant Eyesight)

All babies are born with vision deficiencies. It can be difficult to know if your baby is developing at a normal pace. Here is everything you need to know about infant vision milestones, common vision issues and more.....
woman wearing scarf in winter snow

Snowy Season Sight (Top Tips for Winter Eye Health)

Eye health is important year-round, but the winter months have unique challenges that tend to be overlooked. Read on to learn why the winter affects our eyes and some important tips on how to keep your eyes healthy during the...
man with rainbow painted colorful face

Can’t See Color? (Color Blindness Explained)

Did you know that approximately 1 in 8 men and 1 in 200 women are color blind? Statistically, it is very likely you know several individuals with this condition. Read on to learn all about color deficiency, from the various...
20:20 vision exam

20/20 Vision is Not Perfect Vision (20/20 Vision Explained)

When you sit in your optometrist's chair for a comprehensive eye exam you know that the goal is to have at least 20/20 vision. But  what does 20/20 vision really mean? (Hint, it DOES NOT mean perfect vision) Read on to understand...
boy holding hands up to face with black eye

Treating a Black Eye 101: Quick & Effective Tips

After receiving a black eye you will want to do some quick first aid to jump-start the healing process and help manage your pain. Here are the...
girl wearing sunglasses

How to Pick Out the Right Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

Sunglasses are not just for function, but also for style! A great pair of frames can enhance your overall look and protect your eyes at the same time. Read on to learn what type of face shape you have and...
kid screen time

How Screens Impact Your Child’s Vision (And How to Help)

Excessive screen time has been shown to negatively impact a child’s development and health in many ways. Read to learn how screen time can impact your child’s eyes and what you can do to help.
eye doctor sits at table and talks to man about how to whiten eyes

Why You Have Yellow Eyes (And How to Whiten Them)

If your yellow eyes aren’t caused by a serious health problem, you can whiten your yellow eyes with at-home remedies, lifestyle changes, or with the help of an optometrist. Yellow eyes are caused by...
woman massaging temples during an ocular migraine

What is an Ocular Migraine (And How Do You Treat it?)

The term “Ocular migraine” is frequently used to refer to several migraine subtypes. If you have symptoms of vision loss, it is important to consult your eye doctor to receive an accurate diagnosis....
Senior man wearing glasses

When is it Time for Cataract Surgery? (Top 5 Signs)

What are Cataracts? A cataract is a clouded area in the lens of the eye (the part of the eye that allows you to focus on objects near and far). While symptoms may not be apparent at first, over time...
family screen time 1024×683

5 Ways to Balance Your Family’s Screen Time (And Ditch the Guilt)

When it comes to raising children, screen time usually gets a bad rap. The fact of the matter is, digital technology is a part of everyday life for most families. Screen time and digital technology can be part of a...
woman viewing sunlight 300×200

How to Improve Your Sleep (With This Extremely Simple Health Practice)

Want to increase the quality of your sleep, reduce your stress, boost your mood, and improve your overall health? The solution might be simpler than you think. View sunlight. Specifically, view sunlight outdoors in the morning close to the time...
man rubbing eyes

Why Do My Eyes Keep Watering? | Top 8 Conditions that Cause Watery Eyes

.ecp-richtext.ecp-instance-BKRFUfVpnv{font-size:1.2em;} Watering eyes are an annoying symptom that can be caused by many conditions. Read below to learn some of the top reasons why your eyes might be watering. Our optometrists at Mill Creek Family Eye Center specialize in diagnosing...
two boys tossing a ball to each other

3 Ways You Can Reduce Your Child’s Risk of Myopia

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is one of the largest problems impacting children's vision in the U.S. In fact, the number of myopia cases in children has sharply risen in the past decade. In the United States alone, it is...

Child Has Pink Eye? Here’s How to Treat

Kids are heading back to school, which means pink eye season has officially started! Pink eye breakouts can spread quickly through playgrounds and classrooms. What should you do if your child comes home with symptoms of pink eye? First, you...
photo of a person's legs while walking

4 Ways to Prevent Glaucoma Related Blindness

Did you know that glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness?Glaucoma affects over 3 million individuals in the U.S. alone. In fact, half of the individuals who have glaucoma don’t realize that they have it! Read on to learn...
oversized sunglasses

Top 4 Tips for Choosing the Best Pair of Sunglasses

Not all sunglasses however, are created equal. Here are our top 4 tips for choosing the best pair of sunglasses.
kids throwing sand at eachother

Sand in the Eye? Here’s What to Do

Even a few small grains of sand in the eye can be incredibly uncomfortable. The good news? Our eyes are amazing and have a built in system for flushing out foreign objects. In this article, we will cover how to...

Why Does My Eye Keep Twitching?

You get up to speak in a meeting, then it kicks in. That annoying eyelid twitch. It always manages to resurface during the most inopportune moments. What causes the eyelid to twitch? Eyelid twitching (also called myokymia) is incredibly common....

Is Crossing Your Eyes Harmful?

"Watch out, if you cross your eyes they might get stuck that way!” Many parents tell this to their children, but is it true? While crossing your eyes for long periods of time might cause eye strain, they will not...

The Causes & Treatment of Lazy Eye

Lazy eye (amblyopia) affects around 3 out of 100 children, and occurs when one eye does not develop properly during childhood.This results in poor vision and depth perception. If untreated, it can lead to functional blindness in adulthood. Causes of...

Are Eyelash Extensions Safe?

Eyelash extensions are in right now, and for good reason. They look great and cut down on the time you have to spend doing your makeup. But are eyelash extensions safe? The quick answer? Yes, but they do pose a...

Back to School: How an Undiagnosed Vision Problem Could Impact Your Child’s Learning

Back to school season is a busy and exciting time. There are school supplies to buy, orientation to attend, and a new routine to adjust to. Parents shouldn't forget to add an eye exam with their local optometrist to the...
woman putting in eye drops

Our Eye Doctor’s Top 4 Favorite Eye Drops

.ecp-image.ecp-instance-GEX5pRo9IL img{;;;;}.ecp-image.ecp-instance-GEX5pRo9IL .ecp-image-overlay{;;;;;} Artificial tears are a lifesaver if you are struggling with dry or scratchy eyes. But when you go to the pharmacy, the different options can be overwhelming. So which over-the-counter eye drops should you choose? The short...

Dry Eyes? You Might Be Sleeping With Your Eyes Open

You might have heard the threat, "you better sleep with your eyes open" before and thought it was just a turn of phrase. It is estimated that 20% of individuals, however, sleep with their eyes open periodically throughout the night!...

The #1 Dietary Change That Will Produce The Most Results

Written By: Stephen Davis O.D. When I decided that I wanted to eat healthier this year, I knew I needed to pick a small area to focus on. I wanted to work on something that would give me the most...

Top 5 Reasons to Wear Sunglasses

It is officially spring in Washington, which means bluer skies and more sunshine! Before you head out and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, it is important to remember to grab your sunglasses.

Can Pregnancy Cause Blurry Vision?

.ecp-image.ecp-instance-pNw50VYcEj img{;;;;}.ecp-image.ecp-instance-pNw50VYcEj .ecp-image-overlay{;;;;;} Pregnancy can be an exciting time in a woman's life, but it also can bring on a slew of not so awesome side-effects. For some women, this includes morning sickness, nausea, and exhaustion. For others, it includes...

Boost Your Eye Health with Exercise

You’ve heard it time and time again, exercise benefits you in a plethora of ways: your heart, mood and energy levels all are boosted for starters. But did you know that it has also been shown to benefit your eye...

Does Eating Carrots Actually Help Your Vision?

Carrots. They have long been promoted as a super food for eye health. But does eating carrots really help your vision? Why Carrots? Carrots contain a very important vitamin, Vitamin A. Your retina needs vitamin A to help turn light...

Seeing The World In a Different Color: 5 “Color Blind” Brothers

Gordon, Gavin, Garret, Grant, & Garrison Davis We all see the world through our own perspective, but for the Davis boys, their world is a completely different color. The Davis boys are all red/green color deficient (the most common type...

Eliminate Mask Fog With These 3 Hacks!

For those of us who are bespectacled, mask wearing can be a bit more challenging (cue the awkward fog that renders you nearly blind every time you exhale). But what if we told you that you can still wear your...

Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist: What’s the difference?

If you don't know the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, don't fret. To many Americans, they both sound like a tongue twister! The short answer? Optometrists are the primary care doctors of the eye, they focus on prescribing...

The Health Benefit of Tears

Did you know that your body makes approximately 15-30 gallons of tears each year? That's almost 250 pounds of tears! Many people don't realize that their body produces three different types of tears: basal tears, reflex tears, and emotional tears....

Blue Light Glasses: Helpful or All Hype?

Ready for a mind blowing statistic? Over 60% of individuals spend more than 6 hours a day in front of a screen. That means that a lot of people are spending almost 2 FULL DAYS of their week in front...

Mill Creek Family Eye Summer Bucket List!

Summer in Washington is what us Washingtonians live for, and Snohomish county is full of family friendly things to see and do. We've asked our patient's and the community to help us put together the ultimate family summer bucket list...

Progressive Myopia: When Your Child’s Vision Keeps Getting Worse

What Is Progressive Myopia? Nearsightedness or myopia is one of the most prevalent eye disorders worldwide and its incidence is increasing. In fact by 2050, myopia is projected to affect half of the world’s population! Many children diagnosed with nearsightedness...

Exercise and Your Eye Health

Regular exercise is an essential component of overall health and wellness. It is proven that exercise reduces sickness and disease; it increases strength, immunity, and mental health; and it also helps regulate bodily functions and maintain a healthy weight. Research...

8 Tips to Relieve Winter Dry Eyes

Whether you live in a climate with cold winter weather or you are planning a ski trip up north, winter can be a challenge if you suffer from dry eyes. Dry, cool air, cold winds and even drier indoor heating...

Diabetes and Your Eyes

Diabetes is becoming much more prevalent around the globe. According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 425 million adults were living with diabetes in the year 2017 and 352 million more people were at risk of developing type 2 diabetes....

Have an Eye Safe Halloween

Brush Up Before You Dress Up Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year for children and adults alike. When else do you get to dress up as anyone (or anything) you want, socialize with friends and...

The Dangers of An Online Eye Test

An online eye test may seem like a convenient way to check your vision or get an eyeglass prescription but beware, these tests aren’t all they are chocked up to be. In fact, they may even be dangerous. What is...

Signs That Your Child Has a Vision Problem

Healthy eyes and good vision are essential for your child’s growth and development. In fact, learning is 80% visual, which means a child’s success in school, athletics and many other aspects of life can be impacted by poor vision. Good...

Eye Dangers in the Dorm – Eye Health for College Students

It’s almost back to school time for college students and whether this is your first time away from home or you are already a pro, you want to be prepared with as much knowledge as possible to live safely on...

Why You Shouldn’t Rub Your Eyes

While it may seem like a harmless action, rubbing your eyes can actually cause a lot of damage. There are a number of different reasons that people rub their eyes and for the most part, it does more harm than...

Ocular Migraines

Migraine Awareness Month: An ocular migraine is any migraine headache that involves a visual disturbance such as flashes of light, seeing stars or zigzags or the appearance of blind spots in the visual field. Ocular migraines can interfere with your...

How-to Guide for Buying Sunglasses

Sure, sunglasses might add the final touches to your chic ensemble, but the real reason to purchase your shades is to protect your eyes from the sun. Not only does glare from the sun make it difficult to see, but...

Sports Vision Deconstructed

Vision is a critical component to succeed as an athlete and this doesn’t just mean having 20/20 vision. There are a number of visual processes that are involved in optimal sports performance, whether you are playing a weekly little league...

7 Eye Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

While we all know that regular eye exams can help detect warning signs of disease and prevent vision loss, many people fail to seek medical attention when there is an acute problem with the eye. In fact, only about half...

Women’s Eye Health – 7 Tips for Optimal Vision for Life

April is Women’s Eye Health Month in the USA and May is Healthy Vision month in Canada too, so let’s take the opportunity to look at some tips for maintaining eye and vision health, with a special focus on women....

Ultraviolet Light and your Eyes

If you want strong, healthy eyes and clear vision for life, a major step you can take is to protect your eyes from UV radiation.  Wearing proper eye protection from the sun reduces the risk of a number of eye...

Should I Be Concerned When My Eyelid Twitches?

We all experience the occasional eyelid twitch, which is when the muscle of the eyelid spasms involuntarily. Usually, it comes and goes without intervention and while sure, it can be irritating, is a twitching eyelid ever something to be concerned...

Signs of Eye and Vision Problems in Infants

Infant Eyesight Despite nine months of growth in utero, babies are not born with fully developed eyes and vision - just like they can't walk or talk yet. Over the first few months of life, their visual systems continue to...

AMD Awareness Could Save Your Vision

It’s that time of the year again. Each February, the optometric community bands together to create awareness about age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a leading cause of vision loss for people 50 years and older; early detection plays a...

Trouble Seeing at Night? All About Night Blindness

At this time of year when the sun sets early, many people are affected by night blindness. Night blindness or nyctalopia refers to difficulty seeing at night or in poor or dim lighting situations. It can be caused by a number...

Pink, Stinging Eyes?

It Could Be Pink Eye.

The Sneak Thief of Sight

It’s that time of year again. January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time set aside each year to create awareness about this potentially devastating disease. The reason awareness about glaucoma is so important is because as its nickname, The...

Don’t Let Snow Blindness Ruin Your Winter Vacation

While most people have sunglasses high on their packing list for a tropical vacation, many people don’t consider it as much of a priority for colder climate getaways. But they should, and here’s why: Wintertime vacations often include activities that...

6 Crazy Holiday Eye Injuries to Avoid

As the season to deck the halls arrives, make sure that you aren’t one of the many people who find themselves celebrating in the urgent care clinic due to an eye injury. The holidays present many opportunities for potential eye...

10 Eye Healthy Foods to Eat This Year

The New Year is coming and many people include healthier eating and exercise in their resolutions for the year ahead. Well other than weight loss and overall health and disease-prevention, a healthy diet and regular exercise can protect your eyes...

Women and Diabetes – World Diabetes Day

November 14th is World Diabetes Day. This year, the theme of World Diabetes Day is women and diabetes - our right to a healthy future. The goal of this campaign is to promote awareness of the importance of equal and...

What You Need to Know to Help World Blindness

October is World Blindness Awareness Month, an initiative started to help the public to understand the realities of visual impairment and how it affects the world population. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of millions of individuals around the world who are...

Halloween Eye Safety

October has arrived and that means many people are already starting to plan for upcoming costume parties and trick-or-treating for the Halloween season. This is why now is the time to remind the public about some very important precautions about...

Inside a Life With Color Vision Deficiency

What’s it like to be color blind? Contrary to what the name implies, color blindness usually does not actually mean that you don’t see any color, but rather that you have difficulty perceiving or distinguishing between certain colors. This is...

Welcome to our New Website

We invite you to take a look around our new site to get to know our practice and learn about eye and vision health. You will find a wealth of information about our optometrists, our staff and our services, as...

Pink, Stinging Eyes?

Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is one of the most frequently seen eye diseases, especially in kids. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria or even allergies to pollen, chlorine in swimming pools, and ingredients in cosmetics, or other irritants,...

How to Safely View the Great American Eclipse of 2017

On August 21st, for the first time since 1979, a solar eclipse will be visible across North America. What's even more historic is that it will also be the first time an eclipse will be visible across the continent, from...

Are Your Eyes Sensitive to Light?

Light sensitivity, also known as photophobia, is a condition in which bright light - either natural sunlight or artificial light -  can cause significant discomfort, pain and intolerance. People that experience light sensitivity will find themselves needing to close their...

Got a Shiner!

What Exactly Is a Black Eye? A black eye, also known as a periorbital hematoma, is usually not an injury of the actual eye (which is why it is called “periorbital”- around the eye). It typically occurs when there is...

Cataract Awareness and Prevention

It's National Cataract Awareness Month According to the World Health Organization, cataracts are responsible for 51% of cases of blindness worldwide - although this blindness is preventable with treatment. In fact, research shows that in industrialized countries about 50% of...

Are You Ignoring Your Dry Eyes?

You Don’t Have to Live With Dry Eyes Have you noticed that your eyes feel chronically dry, itchy, scratchy or even sometimes watery? Many people that have these symptoms just go on with their lives until the symptoms become unbearable....

Does Smoking Affect Vision?

Eye Doctors Weigh In: How Smoking Can Harm Your Vision & Eye Health We all know that smoking is bad for you, especially the risks that it poses to your heart and lungs. What many people do not know is that...

Sjogren’s Awareness Month – Understanding The Invisible Disease 

In honor of Sjogren’s Awareness month, eye care providers are helping to spread the word to increase awareness about this hard-to-diagnose disease. Sjogren’s is a systemic autoimmune disorder that can affect the whole body. One of the primary symptoms is...

April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month

Hey women! Did you know that women are more likely to suffer from vision problems and are at higher risk of permanent vision loss than men? Well 91% of the women surveyed recently didn’t know that, which means that many...

The Right (and the Wrong) Way to Clean Your Glasses

There is nothing worse than a dirty spot on your glasses - well except perhaps many dirty spots or smudges. When that happens, most of us are tempted to grab the corner of our shirt and wipe it off, but...

It’s Time to Talk About Blue Light

Workplace Eye Safety Month Blue light. Do you know what it is? Do you know where it comes from, or how it can be harmful to your eyes? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you are not...

Understanding Eye Color

Eye color is a hereditary trait that depends on the genes of both parents, as well as a little bit of mystery. The color of the eye is based on the pigments in the iris, which is a colored ring...

6 Ways to Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration is a serious condition that can threaten your vision and general well-being. Characterized by the deterioration of the central area of the retina called the macula which is responsible for focused vision, the disease gradually reduces your...

Are You Missing Your Child’s Hidden Vision Problem?

Your toddler may show every sign of good eyesight including the ability to see objects in the distance, however that doesn't necessarily mean that he or she doesn’t have a vision problem.

“The Sneak Thief of Sight” Is On Our Minds This January

Make your resolution for healthy vision this year with increased awareness of the leading cause of blindness worldwide.

Holiday Season Shopping: Are Nerf Guns Safe for the Eyes?

This is the one way you can be sure that you or your child’s eyes are truly safe during Nerf shooting:

Dry Eye Syndrome Causes and Cures

Despite the fact that it is one of the most common eye problems, a surprisingly large percentage of patients are not aware of it.

Welcome to our New Website

Visit our new optometry website for information about our Practice.