Dr. Mary Elizabeth Ferris O.D., F.A.A.O.

Optometrist

145 S. Market Blvd Chehalis WA, 98532 Show map

About
Contacts & Locations

About

Dr. Mary Ferris is eager to connect with the community as a new business owner. She has practiced optometry in Olympia since 2009 and was awarded Best of the South Sound: Best Doctor for 2022. She enjoys seeing patients of all ages, fitting contact lenses, and solving optical challenges with creative solutions. Her specialty training is in ocular disease, low vision, and surgical co-management.

Dr. Ferris grew up in Indiana and graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Spanish minor, studied Rainforest Ecology in Costa Rica, and then completed her Doctor of Optometry degree at Indiana University. Her residency training included the VA Hospital in Walla Walla, Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute (PCLI) in Kennewick, and the Centro de Rehabilitación Visual in Guanajuato, México.

In her spare time, she keeps busy by volunteering for VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity,) the Junior League of Olympia, Hope Vision Foundation, the South Sound Reading Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and other local nonprofits. She is often found doing home improvement projects with her husband Scott and paddleboarding with her black lab Pepper.

Education and Training

Purdue University BS- Biology, Spanish minor 2003

Provider Details

Female English, Spanish

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Ferris O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Ferris O.D., F.A.A.O.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

Can lazy eye go away?
A "lazy eye" or strabismus is a serious condition. Please get your daughter evaluated *this week*. When the eye is turned in or out, the brain isn't using it. This can be due to a higher prescription in that eye, a muscle imbalance, cataract, or other factors causing poor vision. By correcting an eye turn at a young age (before age 3) there is a high chance for normal neurological development. Correction for strabismus may be as simple as glasses, vision therapy, or surgery for cases of a large angle (very obvious eye turn.) READ MORE
Which vitamin supplement is best for eyesight?
Antioxidants in general are protective against cataracts, macular degeneration, and other aging-related conditions from UV light. These include Vitamins A, C, E and are found in leafy greens and berries- fruits and vegetables rich in colored pigments. READ MORE
How should I sleep after LASIK?
Your surgeon's office will probably give you eye shields to wear the first night. READ MORE
How do you know what strength reading glasses to get?
When you have an eye exam, the refraction measures this with precision. READ MORE
How can I fix myopia?
Myopia is best corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or ortho keratology. The only "fix" is surgery like Lasik, PRK, ICL, or Refractive Lens Exchange. These should only be considered once a patient has reached their early 20s and the surgeon deems the shape of the eye appropriate and conditions safe. READ MORE
Can presbyopia lead to blindness?
Presbyopia is corrected by reading glasses, progressives, bifocals, trifocals, or contact lenses. Surgically, it can be corrected by multifocal lens implants. This natural aging process doesn't lead to blindness, just the need for reading correction. READ MORE
Can you put eye drops in your eyes while wearing contacts?
Only certain eye drops will do well with contact lenses and their label will specifically mention "for contacts." Otherwise, they're to use without contact lenses to make sure they're effective and don't ruin your lenses. READ MORE
Can type 2 diabetics get Lasik eye surgery?
Yes, but you want to ensure your A1c is normal and glucose is stable so that your measurements are accurate. If not, wait until they are. READ MORE
Redness of eye won’t go away
It sounds like you need an exam with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to diagnose the problem and treat it. READ MORE
What helps eye pain after cataract surgery?
Your surgeon should have prescribed medicated eyedrops to prevent infection (an antibiotic) and calm inflammation and pain (a steroid and sometimes also an NSAID.) You should call your surgeon's office if you're experiencing pain. READ MORE
How often should you change contacts?
This depends upon the type of contact lens and how it was designed and FDA-approved. Daily disposable contact lenses should be discarded after wearing once and are the healthiest modality. READ MORE
Can you wear glasses for farsightedness all the time?
Yes, if the prescription was measured for distance viewing. READ MORE
How long do eye floaters usually last?
A lifetime- if they're the benign floaters which are strands of collagen in the vitreous which have clumped together. You need a dilated eye exam to determine the type of floaters and if treatment is needed. READ MORE
Should my eye hurt after wearing contacts?
No, your eye should not hurt. Either your contact lens doesn't fit properly or you have an infection. I would schedule an appointment with your optometrist or ophthalmologist today. READ MORE
Are colored lenses bad for the eyes?
Colored lenses sold online or in stores without a prescription may be bad for your eyes- their origin, sanitization process, contents, and sizing are often unknown. It's not legal to sell contact lenses without a prescription in the US for the protection of consumers. Prescription lenses with color still "breathe" less than clear lenses and are less comfortable if the paint is sprayed on the front surface. My preferred are Air Optix Colors because they allow the highest oxygen transmission to the eye and sandwich the pigmented layer in the middle of the lens- for a smooth, comfortable surface. I hope this helps! READ MORE
Are there drops available to treat dry eyes?
There are literally dozens of drops to treat dry eyes AND itch is often a symptom of allergy- for which there are antihistamine and mast cell stabilizing drops as well! I recommend you see a doctor to determine which drops are best for the type of dry eye or allergic response you're experiencing. It takes a microscope and diagnostic dyes, meibography or special imaging to answer this question. READ MORE
Can my eye be fixed
An oculoplastic surgeon would evaluate this and start with a CT scan to answer your question regarding orbital reconstruction. READ MORE
Can I wear sunglasses with contacts?
Yes, and sunglasses are always recommended to prevent skin cancer of the eyelids, growths (like pinguecula or ptyergium) on the eye, cataracts, and macular degeneration- besides improving your comfort and safety. READ MORE
eye worm
It sounds like you need to be examined by a doctor with a microscope- including the underside of your eyelids. READ MORE
I'm farsighted and have a slight astigmatism - should I wear my glasses all the time?
Your prescription is minimal. If the glasses make it worse, I would return to the prescriber for a recheck. READ MORE