Good vision and healthy eye care helps us enjoy the world with confidence — from reading, driving, learning, and connecting with the people we love.
For Dr. Jennifer Raska of Central Eye Care, that simple truth guides her professionally. Her approach is grounded in a warm, educational philosophy: vision care isn’t about reacting to problems — it’s about proactively nurturing lifelong comfort, development, and health.
Since childhood she remembers the positive impact a new pair of glasses had on her disabled sister. It showed her how profoundly good vision enriches our lives. It's what led her to become an optometrist and open her practice here in West Hartford. Through Central Eye Care, she helps families feel supported not only during eye exams, but throughout the natural vision changes that can occur across a lifetime.
Vision as a Foundation for Growth and Learning
One of the most essential reasons for routine eye care is how much our vision supports learning and development. Nearly 70 percent of childhood learning is visual; children rely on their eyes to decode words, track lines of text, copy from the board, and stay engaged in lessons. Yet many vision challenges go unnoticed because children often adapt quietly or assume their visual experience is “normal.”
Dr. Raska encourages families to think of eye exams as part of a child’s educational foundation. While school screenings serve a purpose, they offer only a brief snapshot at one distance. A comprehensive exam evaluates clarity, depth perception, eye teaming, focusing stamina, and overall retinal and optic nerve health — all of which affect comfort and learning.
“Sometimes vision is the missing piece; sometimes it’s not,” she says. “But giving families clear answers early helps children learn with ease and confidence.”
The Quiet Strength of Prevention
Routine eye exams also play a powerful role in maintaining long-term wellness. The eyes are one of the few places in the body where blood vessels and neural tissue can be viewed directly, allowing early detection of systemic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and high cholesterol.
With advanced retinal imaging, Dr. Raska can monitor microscopic structural changes long before symptoms appear. “With today’s technology,” she explains, “we can protect vision proactively and often catch issues before they affect daily life.”
Adults in their 20s and 30s often visit her practice with concerns about digital strain, dry eyes, or visual fatigue — concerns that can be greatly improved with thoughtful prescriptions, ergonomic advice, and small habit changes. As patients enter midlife, routine care helps manage natural near-focus changes and offers a baseline for early detection of age-related conditions like glaucoma or cataracts. For older adults, regular exams support independence, safety, and clarity in daily tasks.
Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Whole-Body Eye Wellness
A key part of Dr. Raska’s philosophy is helping people understand how everyday choices influence eye comfort and long-term visual health. Nutrition, hydration, lighting, and environmental factors all play meaningful roles.
Foods rich in antioxidants — leafy greens, colorful fruits, omega-3s — help protect the retina and support the tear film. Staying hydrated and using humidifiers in dry months improves comfort for both children and adults. Outdoor time, especially for younger children, is linked to lower rates of progressive nearsightedness.
She also teaches families how skincare and cosmetics affect the eyes. Harsh preservatives, waterproof mascaras, and certain dyes can irritate the delicate eye area, while gentler formulations with peptides, hyaluronic acid, or vitamins C and E support eye-friendly routines. “Small choices throughout the day add up over a lifetime,” she says. “Our eyes appreciate those choices more than we realize.”
A Practice That Grows With You
What patients often appreciate most about Central Eye Care is the atmosphere Dr. Raska has created — advanced, modern, and deeply compassionate. Children are met with patience and clear explanations. Adults receive honest, thoughtful guidance tailored to their work, habits, and lifestyle. Her training in pediatric and non-verbal care allows her to support patients of all abilities, and her expertise in specialty contact lenses gives renewed clarity to those who once struggled with limited vision.
Dr. Raska continues to expand her community outreach, especially around children’s vision screenings and education. Her mission is simple: help patients understand that clear vision is an essential part of living well, learning well, and aging gracefully.
“We’re here to make eyecare simple, kind, and empowering,” she says. “Supporting your vision means supporting every part of your life.”
Central Eye Care
28 North Main St., Suite 102
Phone: 860-206-3060
Online: centraleyecare2020.com
Email: centraleyecare2020@gmail.com