Your Eyes This Spring: Camps, Allergies, Myopia, and Why Local Eye Care Matters

Posted On: Tuesday, June 2, 2026

By Dr. Lorraine Labiento Smith – Eye Care Sudbury, MA

Spring leading into summer in Sudbury, MA, means full schedules! Kids are heading to camp, families are spending more time outdoors, and allergy season is in full swing. It also means your eyes need a little extra attention. This month, we’re covering five topics that all share one thing in common: they work best when you’re an active part of your own eye care.

Eyewear for camp: glasses, sports frames, and contact lenses

Camp deposits are paid. Bags are half-packed. But have you thought about your child’s eyewear? Physical forms and vision needs are the two things that can’t wait until the last minute — a proper fitting or contact lens training can take 2–3 weeks.

Active eyewear that can keep up

At Sudbury Eye Care, we carry Dilli Dally and Demi and Dash — flexible, lightweight frames available in sizes from infant to adult. They look like regular glasses but are built for active play: no screws, no metal parts, bendable frames, and impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses. Add Transitions lenses, and they double as sunglasses. Perfect for day camp, the beach, tennis, cycling, or just being a kid.

Are contact lenses right for your child?

For many kids, camp is a great time to try contact lenses. Here’s a quick look at both sides:

Reasons families choose contacts for camp:

• Daily disposables are hygienic and convenient — no cleaning required
• Better field of vision during sports and active play
• No risk of breaking or losing glasses in the lake
• Can improve confidence and self-esteem
• Flexible for part-time use (just camp, just sports)
• Some VSP plans include contact lens fitting benefits — rebates may also be available for first-time wearers

Things to know before you decide:

• The initial fitting and supply can cost more upfront than glasses
• Your child needs to be comfortable touching their eyes
• Some prescriptions require a more specialized fitting

Dr. Labiento Smith has been a contact lens specialist for 27 years and fits children as young as 6. In-office lens training typically takes one to a few sessions — we make it easy.

Don’t wait. If your child is heading to camp and you’re considering contacts or a backup pair of glasses, schedule an appointment now.

UV protection: what you may not know

UV protection isn’t just for sunglasses. Many patients are surprised to learn that polycarbonate lenses, most progressive lenses, Essilor UV anti-glare coatings, Transitions materials, and all Acuvue contact lenses already include UV protection — built into the material or applied as a coating, not a tint.

Long-term UV exposure is linked to macular degeneration, cataracts, and external tissue damage. That’s why we think about UV protection with every lens recommendation we make. Sudbury Eye Care is an Essilor Expert Practice and an Acuvue Preferred Practice.

Spring promotion — 25% off sunglasses*

Prescription and non-prescription sunglasses are 25% off now through June 30. We carry Maui Jim**, Tumi, American Optical, Izod, OP, Red Paris, and custom options.

*Cannot be combined with insurance discounts. **Maui Jim sunglasses are sold at company-set pricing.

Allergy season and your eyes

If your eyes have been red, itchy, or swollen this spring, you’re not alone. Ocular allergies are one of the most common complaints we see this time of year.

The best approach is to start allergy treatment a few weeks before your symptoms typically peak. Oral and nasal medications control many systemic symptoms, and for the eyes specifically, several effective over-the-counter drops are worth knowing: Retaine Allergy, Pataday, and Zaditor all perform well. Combining oral and topical treatment usually provides the best relief.

If over-the-counter options aren’t helping, call us to schedule a medical eye exam. Persistent eye allergies deserve a closer look.

Myopia control: what Sudbury parents need to know

Myopia — nearsightedness — isn’t just an eye glasses prescription. When the eye grows longer than it should, it increases the long-term risk of glaucoma, retinal disease, and reduced vision quality. The good news: over the past decade, there have been remarkable advances in slowing that growth in children.

Dr. Labiento Smith specializes in myopia control and works with patients and parents to find the right approach. Current options include:

• Atropine eye drops
• Essilor Stellest Lens
• Coopervision MiSight contact lenses 
• Orthokeratology (overnight reshaping lenses)

Each option reduces myopia progression by 50–80%. Depending on the child’s needs, more than one approach may be used.

Is your child at risk?

Key risk factors include: one or both parents with myopia, young age at first prescription, and limited outdoor time. Research shows children who spend 15+ hours per week outdoors have lower rates of progression — another reason outdoor camps this summer are genuinely good for their eyes.

Myopia tends to slow in summer — but now is exactly the right time to have your child evaluated and get ahead of progression. Children with myopia should be seen 2–3 times per year.

Read myopia control research

Why buying from your independent optometrist matters

Your optometrist is your primary care eye doctor — trained to provide wellness exams, diagnose and treat ocular disease, manage acute eye care, and fit complex prescriptions. When you purchase eyewear and lenses through the same practice, everything stays integrated: measurements, warranties, follow-up care, and insurance navigation.

At Sudbury Eye Care, here’s what that looks like in practice:

• We bill your vision insurance instantly at the time of service
• 5% in-house discount on annual disposable contact lens supplies
• Manufacturer rebates and free home delivery on annual contact lens orders
• Additional discounts on a second pair of glasses within 60 days of your first eyeglass  purchase
• Essilor anti-glare lenses with a 2-year warranty — not available at box stores
• Online booking, two-way texting, and text-to-pay for a streamlined experience
• Detailed individual measurements and personally curated frame selection

Ready to schedule your exam or your child’s myopia consultation? [Insert Link]

Book an appointment at Sudbury Eye Care

One more thing — your reviews make a difference

Small independent practices run on trust and reputation. If Sudbury Eye Care has helped you or your family, a Google Sudbury Eye Care Review goes a long way — and your story may help another patient find the right care. You can also reach us directly at office@sudburyeye.com to share your experience or ask about featuring your story on our website.

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