The eyeglass frames you wear reflect your style and personality for all the world to see. If you want your reflection to be flattering, you’ll want to choose frames that complement the shape of your fabulous face.

Optometrics of Chatsworth, which, in many cases, can provide same-day eyewear in Northridge, likes the advice that comes from The Girls with Glasses – singer/songwriter Brooke White and model/actress Summer Bellessa, social media mavens who specialize in style, motherhood and heart.

If your face is an oval, they say, you can wear just about anything when it comes to frames. For round faces, their advice is to avoid round lenses, like those worn by Harry Potter or John Lennon (pick the cultural icon of your choice!). Round lenses will only emphasize the roundness of your face. Instead go for balance, try frames that have more of a square look.

If you have a strong jaw line and broad forehead, the Girls with Glasses classify your face as box shaped. Not surprisingly, their advice for you is opposite to the advice given for round faces. You’re better off avoiding square shapes. Softer lines will be much more flattering. Looking for frames that feature more depth than width, they say, is also a good idea.

Heart-shaped faces feature a high forehead, distinctive cheekbones and a narrow chin. If that sounds like you, the Girls with Glasses say you’ll want to look for lighter frames. With today’s array of styles, your choices can include white- or bone-colored frames as well as delicate wire frames. You can easily wear butterfly-shaped lenses, too.

Choosing the right optometrist to care for your eyes is even more important than picking the most flattering frames. If you’re looking for a Northridge eye doctor with the experience and the cutting-edge technology needed to provide you and your family with the highest quality care, please consider Optometrics of Chatsworth.

At Optometrics of Chatsworth, the eye doctors are dedicated to providing the services and the quality care your family deserves. From standard eye exams to specialized and preventative care, we help patients of all ages see the world more clearly.

As a family-oriented eye clinic serving Chatsworth, CA, where the practice was based for more than three decades, Optometrics of Chatsworth takes caring for the community seriously. We have taken that commitment with us to our new home in Northridge and happily extend it to the surrounding San Fernando Valley area as well as to other locations in and around Los Angeles.

When Dr. Kathy Chriqui took over the practice ten plus years ago, she quickly began to buildstrong ties to the community. A member of the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce, she enjoys giving back to the community in unique ways. She’s asked her followers on social media to nominate their favorite teachers for a free pair of glasses and has given away scholarships to outstanding Chatsworth High School students. 

In the wake of their move, she and her staff – including Summer, who has more than 10 years of experience working in the optometric profession and is on her way to becoming a Board-Certified Optician and who enjoys participating in charity runs – are looking forward to establishing similar ties in Northridge.

According to the American Optometric Association, patients who suffer from dry have insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. That’s important because tears play an essential role in eye health, from maintaining the front surface of the eye to providing clear vision.

Every time you blink, the front surface of your eyes (the cornea) is bathed with a thin layer of tears. In addition to providing lubrication, these tears reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter and keep the cornea smooth and clear.

The body is set up to deal with an overproduction of tears – the excess moisture flows into the small drainage ducts located in the inner corners of the eyelids and from there, it drains into the back of the nose.

When there aren’t enough tears or when the tears that are produced are of a poor quality, 
however, the body has no response. That makes dry eye a common problem – especially in older adults. In many patients, it’s also a chronic problem.

Dr. Kathy Chriqui of Chatsworth Optometrics, a full-service eye clinic in Northridge, CA, is an eye doctor that countless patients in Chatsworth, the North Hills and the surrounding San Fernando Valley have trusted to help them manage a dry-eye condition.

If your eyes feel irritated, gritty or scratchy or you suffer from a burning sensation or blurred vision, you may be experiencing dry eye. Other common symptoms include blurred vision or a feeling that you have something in your eye.

Usually, a comprehensive eye exam is all that is needed to diagnose dry eye. In some cases, Dr. Chriqui may recommend additional testing to assess the quantity and quality of tear production.

If you have questions or concerns about dry eye and would like to speak to a doctor in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley or Northridge, please call 818-882- 9300 or schedule an appointment with Dr. Chriqui online.

In order to provide patients with the finest vision care, optometrists rely on the latest technology.  At Optometrics of Chatsworth, we pride ourselves on keeping up to date with the latest advances in the field of optometry. Our recent move from Chatsworth to Northridge enables us to provide exceptional care in a more spacious, technologically advanced facility that caters to all your vision care needs.

Making the move was not a decision we took lightly. Optometrics of Chatsworth had been taking care of patients in the same location for nearly 30 years. Dr. Kathy Chriqui took over the practice more than a decade ago and has been faithfully providing a range of comprehensive services to patients in areas throughout the San Fernando Valley like Northridge and Chatsworth, CA, from eye surgery for cataracts to complete contact lens services and specialty lens products.

Our new home provides the room and the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the amazing technology of today – and tomorrow. We rely on computer-assisted eye exams to provide the most accurate assessment of vision in all our patients, including both adults and children. Our new offices also facilitate Dr. Chriqui’s work in the management of dry eye as well as her co-management for laser and cataract surgeries.

You can visit the new location at 19600 Plummer St., #300 in Northridge, CA, for an eye exam or to view the amazing selection of designer eyeglasses and sunglasses on display in our expanded optical shop. We even offer an impressive collection of sport-specific eyewear to enhance your sports performance.

Before your children head back to school this fall, be sure to take them back to the eye  doctor for a comprehensive exam.

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that children should have their first eye exam when they’re just 6 months old. You’ll want to have them checked again when they are 3 and just before they enter kindergarten or the first grade at about age 5 or 6.

Why is it so important? Children rely on their eyes to succeed in school. It’s easy to see that they need good distance vision to be able to see what the teacher is writing on the whiteboard or chalkboard. And, obviously, they need near vision to be able to read the text in their books and on tests.

But there are less obvious aspects of vision that can help – or hinder – your child’s school career. They’ll need to develop peripheral awareness, eye-hand coordination and a range of skills related to eye teaming (binocularity), eye movement and focusing.

Experts in the field estimate that 5% to 10% of preschoolers and roughly 25% of school-aged children have vision problems. Early identification of these problems is key.

Dr. Kathy Chriqui of Chatsworth Optometrics, a full-service eye clinic based in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles, California, can give your children a comprehensive eye exam in a riendly, comfortable environment.

After more than 10 years in Chatsworth, Dr. Chriqui and her helpful staff have now moved. So, if you need an eye doctor in Northridge, California, please call 818-882- 9300 or schedule an appointment online.

If you’re looking for an eye doctor in Northridge or the surrounding San Fernando Valley, you want to find someone you and your family can trust.

For more than 10 years, patients have turned to Dr. Kathy Chriqui for their eye care needs. Dr. Chriqui graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Visual Science and a Doctorate in Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry. Prior to settling in the San Fernando Valley, she spent 10 years caring for patients in Beverly Hills. 

It’s also important to note that Dr. Chriqui has been on staff at Cedar Sinai Medical Center for more than 25 years.  She previously served as a staff doctor at the Southern California College of Optometry.

Dr. Chriqui is certified by the National Board of Examiners in the treatment and management of ocular disease, in lacrimal dilation and irrigation and in the treatment of glaucoma. She is also a certified Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agent. Dr. Chriqui has also co-managed Lasik procedures for 15 years and chooses to work with only the most experienced surgeons who use state of-art technology. 

She is affiliated with the American Optometric Association, the California Optometric Association, the Los Angeles County Optometric Society and the San Fernando Valley Optometric Society.

Dr. Kathy Chriqui and her friendly and knowledgeable staff are always here to help you with any questions you may have. So, whether you live in Northridge or Chatsworth, California, the eye doctor you want to trust your family’s eyes to is Dr. Kathy Chriqui.

Obviously its important to maintain healthy eye care habits year-round. However, there are a few factors that come along with the hot weather that can pose even more risks to your eyes than usual. Are you guarding yourself against the increased possibility of damage to your vision during summer? Read on below and find out if you're taking the precautions necessary to maintain healthy eyes this summer season.

Safe wear and care of contact lenses

The risks of contact lens-related eye problems are at an all-time high during summer due to hot weather, travel, long days and extended time outdoors. Proper contact lens hygiene - although important at all times - is especially vital during this season in order to minimize these risks. Your hands should be washed immediately prior to handling lenses, you should always use fresh contact lens solution and any contact with water should be minimized - which includes removing your contact lenses before any kind of swimming activities. Pay particular attention to any irritation, redness, light sensitivity, decreased vision or discharge; if you notice any of these symptoms, you should immediately: remove contacts, discontinue use, and contact your optometrist for an appointment immediately.

Use sunglasses with UV protection whenever outdoors

Much like skin, your eyes need to be protected from the sun and its important to always wear sunglasses outside in order to guard them from harmful UV rays. Extended exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn - and even increase your risk of developing more serious vision problems, such as early cataracts and macular degeneration. For optimal protection, the lenses of your sunglasses should have a minimum UV 400 protection and should block both UVA and UVB rays. Wearing sunglasses supplies the additional benefit of acting as a shield that will protect you from dust and debris that may get blown into your eyes during outdoor activities or windy days.

Avoid both natural and chemical irritants

The chemicals in pools and bacteria that is often found in natural bodies of water can be bothersome or even harmful to your eyes. Wearing goggles while swimming and playing in water is important in protecting your eyes during these activities. Increased time spent outdoors can also expose you to other irritants, such as poison oak, ivy or insect bites. Be mindful of these irritants if you find yourself in a situation where you may be near them and be sure to keep your hands clean after any possible contact occurs to avoid transferring allergens to your eyes which can cause discomfort. Call your optometrist immediately if you notice redness, irritation, or swelling after any of these activities so they can help determine the cause of your symptoms and the best way to relieve them.

Wear protective eyewear

Gardening, painting, remodeling and other household projects are particularly common during summer - all of which can potentially result in small objects flying around. If you're engaging in any of these activities, make sure you wear proper eye protection. Keep in mind that regular glasses or sunglasses do not qualify as proper eye protection. You should be using professional quality goggles with full coverage frames as well as impact resistant lenses. You should also be using protective eyewear while playing sports. Proper use of safety eyewear can prevent up to 90% of serious eye injuries. See your optometrist immediately if you do experience an eye injury so that a comprehensive eye health examination can be performed.

Schedule your yearly eye exam

Since summer often means a little extra free time, why not take advantage of it to schedule your yearly eye exam? Comprehensive eye exams are one of the most important ways to preserve your vision. They're also a vital form of preventative eye care; a comprehensive eye exam is the only way to accurately asses the health of your eyes, diagnose eye disorders and/or diseases, and determine if you require corrective lenses. Early detection of potential problems could save your vision - after all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
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     If you've had an eye exam recently, or have one scheduled soon, chances are that you'll be hearing the term "anti-fatigue lenses". But what are they exactly, and how will they benefit you?

     There are actually multiple types of lenses that fall into the anti-fatigue category and they can be applied to glasses individually or combined if necessary. And since our society is one that is constantly exposed to electronic devices, anti-fatigue lenses can be beneficial to everyone, even individuals who don't have a prescription.

​     In a past blog, we discussed Blue Light Technology and how it has been applied to vision care; the lenses that feature this technology fall within the anti-fatigue category. By infusing them with melanin or applying a special anti-reflection coating, these lenses filter out harmful blue light (violet-blue) while still allowing beneficial blue light (blue-turquoise) to reach the eyes. Blue light has a significant impact on Circadian Rhythms (sleep/wake cycle) as well as memory and cognitive performance, so those who wear glasses with blue light filters generally feel that their eyes are more comfortable, relaxed and less strained at the end of the day. The vast majority of individuals today, no matter their age, are constantly exposed to sources of blue light: fluorescent and CFL lightbulbs, computers, smart phones, tablets, television and that emitted from other electronic devices. Almost everyone can benefit from using glasses with this type of anti-fatigue lens, regardless of whether they have a prescription or not.

     Another type of anti-fatigue lens is the "Relax", made by Shamir, and is intended for single vision and pre-presbyope (reading-vision impaired) patients who spend a significant amount of time reading and using computers. These activities force the muscles in the eye to repeatedly focus in and out - an activity referred to as "prolonged accommodation" - which results in visual fatigue.

     The Shamir Relax incorporates an additional ADD Power of .65[D] into the lower portion of the lens, which can reduce accommodation by up to 30%. This means that the eye muscles are not forced to work as hard, resulting in less fatigue and renewed energy for patients at the end of the day. Since the ADD Power in this lens is so light, its suitable for patients with standard single vision lenses.
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     Blue Light Technology and Relax lenses are both available at Optometrics of Chatsworth. If you're interested in seeing if one or both of these anti-fatigue lenses are right for you, please contact our office and we'll be happy to evaluate your prescription.

When you eat, you may consider several factors such as how many calories you're consuming or the amount of carbohydrates, sodium or sugar per serving. But are you paying attention to the nutrients in your food? If you aren't, you may want to.

Below is a quick view of the six nutrients that research has identified that have the ability to protect your eyes and the foods they can be found in. Since they don't occur naturally they  must be replenished daily, something you may not be able to do through diet alone. Take a look and see if you're getting the nutrients your eyes need to stay healthy (unfortunately most people aren't) or give us a call and we'll assist you in finding the best vitamins for your eyes.