What's Changing in Optometry Right Now
The optometry field is evolving faster than ever, and here at Vision Palace Optical on Avenue U, we're staying ahead of what matters most to Brooklyn families. In 2025 and 2026, the biggest shifts center on slowing myopia progression in kids, managing screen-related eye fatigue in all ages, and integrating wearable tech like smart glasses into everyday vision care. If you haven't had an eye exam in a year, now's the time to see what's new and how it applies to your eyes.
Myopia Control Takes Center Stage
One of the most exciting trends in optometry right now is myopia control — real, clinically proven ways to slow how quickly nearsightedness progresses in children. For years, if your child needed glasses, that was that. Today, we have options.
Stellest lenses by Essilor use H.A.L.T. technology (Halo Aspheric Lenslet Target) to slow myopia progression by 67 percent compared to standard single-vision lenses in clinical trials. We're fitting these lenses routinely at Vision Palace Optical for kids ages 6 and up in the Sheepshead Bay area and across Brooklyn. It's not about perfect vision at any cost — it's about preserving your child's long-term eye health.
Why does this matter? Higher myopia increases the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, like glaucoma and retinal disease. If we can keep your child's prescription stable now, we're protecting their vision decades from now. Parents in Brooklyn are asking about this more than ever, and we're here to explain your options during your comprehensive eye exam.
Digital Eye Strain: The New Normal
If your eyes feel tired, dry, or achy after work or school, you're not alone. Screen time — phones, tablets, computers — is the defining reality of 2025, and optometry has shifted to address it directly.
Blue light lenses have moved from trend to standard care. These lenses filter the high-energy blue light emitted by screens, reducing glare and strain without changing your prescription or the color of the world around you. We fit patients with blue light lenses at Vision Palace Optical every week, especially professionals working in Sheepshead Bay offices and students preparing for school.
But it's not just lenses. Your eye doctor now asks about your screen habits as part of the routine eye exam. We talk about the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds), proper monitor distance, and blink frequency. Modern optometry is as much about lifestyle as it is about prescription.
Progressive Lenses and Anti-Reflective Coating Are Standard Now
Progressive lenses have been around for years, but they're becoming the default choice for anyone over 40 in 2025–2026. No-line bifocals from Varilux and Zeiss are smoother, more personalized, and easier to adjust to than ever before.
What's changed is the coating. Anti-reflective lenses (like Crizal) are no longer a luxury upgrade — they're nearly essential, especially for anyone working at a computer or driving at night. The glare reduction is noticeable, and the lenses are easier to clean. At Vision Palace Optical, we recommend Crizal as standard because it genuinely improves your experience wearing glasses, whether you're at your desk on Avenue U or driving home through Brooklyn traffic.
Transitions lenses (photochromic technology) are also seeing renewed interest. Patients appreciate how they adapt automatically to light changes without the hassle of switching between regular glasses and sunglasses. For Brooklyn's variable weather and bright summer days, they're practical.
Smart Glasses Are Here (and They're Worth Knowing About)
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are available now, and you can try them on at Vision Palace Optical. They have built-in audio, a camera, and Meta AI — which means you can ask questions and get real-time answers while wearing them.
From an optometry perspective, smart glasses raise new questions: What does long-term wear do to your eyes? How do we prescribe lenses for augmented reality devices? What about privacy and eye health together? These are conversations happening in optometry offices across Brooklyn in 2025. We don't have all the answers yet, but we're thinking ahead and helping patients understand what these devices mean for their vision and lifestyle.
The fact is, smart glasses aren't science fiction anymore. They're products you can hold in your hand and wear on your face. Optometry is adapting, and so are we.
Personalized Eye Care and Genetic Risk Assessment
Another major trend: eye care is becoming more personalized. Your optometrist is increasingly using family history, genetic risk factors, and lifestyle data to tailor your exam and recommendations.
If you have a family history of glaucoma, for example, we'll monitor your eye pressure more carefully and perhaps recommend more frequent exams. If you're diabetic, retinal disease screening moves from optional to essential. At Vision Palace Optical, Dr. Sheyko and Dr. Shlivko take detailed family histories and use that information to catch problems early.
This is real medicine — not guesswork. Knowing your risk profile means knowing what to watch for and when to intervene before vision loss happens.
Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Expanding in Some States
While coverage varies by plan and state, there's movement toward more comprehensive vision benefits under Medicare and Medicaid in 2025–2026. At Vision Palace Optical, we accept both Medicare and Medicaid, and we help patients navigate their benefits during their visit.
If you're on Medicaid or Medicare in Brooklyn, call us or book through Zocdoc to verify your specific coverage before your appointment. Coverage varies by plan — what's covered for you might differ from your neighbor. That's why verification is important.
More Optometrists Pursuing Specialized Training
In 2025–2026, more optometrists are pursuing advanced certifications in contact lens fitting, dry eye disease, retinal disease, and neurological eye conditions. This means the scope of optometry practice is expanding. You don't always need a specialist referral anymore — your neighborhood optometrist can handle more.
Dr. Julia Sheyko, for example, is certified in Paragon CRT (corneal refractive therapy) and specializes in anterior and posterior segment disease, neurological eye disease, and contact lens fitting. This kind of expertise, available right here on Avenue U, is becoming more common — and it's good news for patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stellest, and is it right for my child?
Stellest lenses use H.A.L.T. technology to slow myopia progression by about 67 percent in clinical studies. They're for kids ages 6 and up who are nearsighted. During your child's eye exam, Dr. Sheyko or Dr. Shlivko will evaluate whether Stellest is a good fit based on their prescription, age, and lifestyle. Not every child needs myopia control lenses, but if your child's myopia is progressing, Stellest is worth discussing.
Do blue light lenses actually work?
Blue light lenses reduce glare and can ease digital eye strain, especially if you spend 6+ hours per day at a screen. They're not a magic fix — proper screen habits and breaks matter too. But if you work at a computer, blue light lenses are worth adding to your prescription. We fit them routinely at Vision Palace Optical, and most patients notice the difference within a week.
How often should I get an eye exam in 2025–2026?
For most adults, an annual exam is standard. If you have risk factors (family history of glaucoma, diabetes, high myopia), or if you're over 65, you might benefit from exams every six months. Your eye doctor will recommend a schedule during your visit. Book your comprehensive eye exam at Vision Palace Optical to discuss what's right for you.
Are smart glasses safe for my eyes?
Smart glasses are still relatively new, and long-term eye health data is limited. What we know now: wearing them for extended periods can cause digital eye strain similar to phones or computers. If you wear smart glasses regularly, the same rules apply — take breaks, blink, and use proper viewing distance. We can also fit blue light lenses into smart glasses frames if you'd like that protection.
Should I switch to progressive lenses?
If you're over 40 or noticing that you need to hold your phone at arm's length to read, progressive lenses are worth a conversation. They're smoother and more natural than bifocals, and the technology in 2025–2026 is excellent. Not everyone needs them, but most people over 45 find them transformative. Come in for a consultation on Avenue U.
The optometry landscape is shifting toward prevention, personalization, and technology integration. Whether it's slowing myopia in your child, managing digital eye strain, or exploring new lens technologies, your eye doctor's role is becoming more proactive and nuanced.
Book your eye exam at Vision Palace Optical — book through Zocdoc or call us at (718) 998-8400. We're at 1723 Avenue U in Brooklyn, open Monday through Saturday. Let's talk about what's new and what it means for your vision in 2025–2026.