Examines every patient herself, explains what she finds in plain words and tells you when to come back.
Eye care in Shelbyville, Kentucky
Eye exams that keep up with your eyes after 40
One optometrist and a small team. Every exam looks at what changes at your stage of life, what we check and how often to come back.
- Exams Monday to Friday, with evening hours on Wednesday
- Your prescription is yours, after every exam
- A written estimate before any visit you pay for yourself
Exam guide by decade
What your exam looks for at each stage
Eyes change on a schedule. Choose your decade to see what changes, what we check and how often we suggest an exam.
In your 40s
Small print starts to blur at your usual reading distance, and the phone creeps farther from your face.
What changes: the lens inside the eye stiffens, so focusing up close takes more effort, most of all late in the day.
What we check: near and distance focus, how your eyes work together, eye pressure, and the optic nerve and retina at the back of the eye.
How often: about every two years, and sooner if reading or screens get harder, or if diabetes or glaucoma runs in your family.
In your 50s
Reading glasses get stronger, and a single pair stops covering everything you do in a day.
What changes: near focus keeps shifting, so a prescription can feel out of date within a year or two. Glare at night and tired, dry eyes are more common.
What we check: your near and distance prescription, a look at the retina, eye pressure, and the surface of the eye if yours feel dry.
How often: every one to two years, as your doctor suggests.
In your 60s
Some changes happen slowly and quietly. The exam is how we see them early.
What changes: the lens can start to cloud, and changes in the optic nerve and the macula, the part of the retina you read with, become more common. Many people need brighter light to read.
What we check: eye pressure, the optic nerve, the macula and the lens, along with your updated prescription.
How often: every one to two years, and every year once you are 65.
70 and over
Vision that shifts slowly still deserves a yearly look.
What changes: near and distance vision both shift, and eye diseases are more common. Medicines you take for other health needs can affect your eyes too.
What we check: the full exam, your medicines and how you manage stairs, steps and driving at night.
How often: every year, and any time something changes.
Your doctor sets your own schedule from your health history.
Seeing up close
Five ways to read comfortably after 40
Most people start with reading glasses. Here is how the choices compare, so you can ask for the one that fits your day.
| Option | What it does | Suits | Worth asking about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading glasses | What it doesOne focus for close work. You put them on to read and take them off to look up. | SuitsShort stretches of reading, sewing and the phone. | Worth asking aboutThey blur anything farther away, so many people end up with several pairs. |
| Progressive lenses | What it doesOne pair that moves smoothly from distance to middle to near, with no visible line. | SuitsA full day of mixed tasks in one pair. | Worth asking aboutThey take a few days to get used to. Frame size and fit matter, so we measure before we order. |
| Computer lenses | What it doesLenses set for arm's length, with some near help at the bottom. | SuitsLong days at a screen or a desk. | Worth asking aboutNot made for driving or walking around, so they are usually a second pair. |
| Multifocal contact lenses | What it doesSoft contact lenses with distance and near zones in each lens. | SuitsPeople who would rather not wear glasses. | Worth asking aboutThey need a fitting and a follow-up, and some people still wear reading glasses over them. |
| Monovision contact lenses | What it doesOne eye is set for distance and the other for near. | SuitsPeople who already wear contact lenses and want to keep them. | Worth asking aboutSome people adapt in days and some do not. A trial pair shows which. |
Your care team
One doctor, and a team that keeps your records straight
Dr. Settles examines every patient herself. The people around her take your measurements, check your benefits and fit your glasses.
Brad Peterson
Ophthalmic assistant
Takes your measurements before the exam and walks you through each instrument.
Katherine Moss
Front desk and insurance
Checks your benefits before your visit and explains which part goes to which plan.
Victoria Stone
Optical assistant
Adjusts and repairs frames at the optical counter and orders your lenses.
Visit us
Hours and where to find us
Wednesday hours run until 7 p.m. for people who work days.
Main Street office
Address: 514 Main Street Shelbyville, KY 40065Phone: (502) 555-0103Hours: Monday – Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday – Sunday: ClosedGet directions to Main Street office
Questions we hear first
Do I need an exam if I see fine?
Yes. Many eye changes cause no symptoms at first, and your eyes keep changing over time. An exam checks how well you see and how healthy your eyes are.
Do you work with my vision plan?
We work with many vision plans and medical insurance plans. Call us with the name of your plan and we will check it before your visit. Please confirm with your plan as well.
Why was part of my visit billed to medical insurance?
A routine exam goes to your vision plan. A visit for an eye problem, an eye disease check or a follow-up goes to medical insurance. Many visits include both, and we explain which part goes where.
Can I fill my prescription somewhere else?
Yes. Your prescription is yours. We give you a copy after your exam, and you can fill it anywhere.
What should I do in an eye emergency?
Sudden vision loss, flashes of light, a curtain over your vision, an eye injury or a chemical splash needs care now. Call our office right away or go to an emergency room. If you can't reach us, call 911.
Request a visit or ask a question
Leave your name and number and the office will call you back.