Doctors of the Desert: Dr. Cynthia Payne

Dr. Cynthia Payne is a board-certified optometrist specializing in the treatment and management of ocular disease and owner of Trendsetter Eyewear. She enjoys working with people to improve their vision, assess the health of their eyes, and treat eye disease. She also provides pre-and post- operative care for patients at LASIK of Nevada in Las Vegas and Reno.

Motivated by the freedom optometry provides, from the ability to practice anywhere, choosing to be self-employed or work for another doctor full time or part-time, to working in research and teaching; Dr. Payne loves having the choices that optometry offers to her. Dr. Payne has been practicing in private optometry since 1997 and opened Trendsetter Eyewear in 2011. She is a Distinguished Woman of Nevada member.

Dr. Payne attended the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, where she earned her doctor of optometry. A graduate of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, she received a bachelor’s degree with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. She also completed one year of graduate study at the University of Tennessee, Memphis in neuroscience and worked for an additional two years as a research assistant in cancer pharmacology at the University of Tennessee, Memphis.

Dr. Payne provides routine eye exams and is skilled at diagnosing many ocular diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and others. She routinely treats diseases of the anterior segment and her extensive optometric experience enables her to fit and recommend all specialty designs of contact lenses, including hard-to-fit patients.

ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST CHOICES A PERSON CAN MAKE FOR THEIR EYES IS ULTRAVIOLET PROTECTION.

Optometry is somewhat unique in that there is both an optical component and a health care component. In the optical field, some of the newest options are digitally designed eyeglass lenses (a computer designed for optimized vision) and more contact lens options that are healthier to wear (more oxygen transmission, stay cleaner, better for dryness). In the health care field, managing dry eyes has become a major challenge. There are new technologies to help patients: artificial tears and eyelid oil gland treatments. There is also a new focus on counseling for nutritional practices and blink awareness to try decreasing dry eye symptoms.

One of the healthiest choices a person can make for their eyes is ultraviolet protection. Ultraviolet increases the incidence of cataracts, macular degeneration, pterygium, and skin cancer. Choosing sunglasses or eyeglasses with UV protection helps decrease the risk of these diseases of the eye (and wrinkles).

All the things that are good for the rest of the body also apply to the eyes; like not smoking, maintaining balanced nutrition, and routine exercise. Genetic wellness testing can help someone eat foods that work with their DNA to optimize their health.