Patient FAQ’s
We want to make sure that you receive all of the information that you need to make educated decisions about your eye health. Our eye doctors are always available to answer your questions.
our doctors answer your questions
Q: I see fine without glasses. Why should I need a routine eye exam?
A:That's a question that I hear often. The answer is very simple. Your vision, while vitally important, is only part of what we check during an eye exam. Believe me, I'm glad you're seeing well and happier still that you can manage without glasses ( I wish I could! ). But in order to keep your good vision, the health of the eye must be maintained. There are numerous eye disorders and diseases that have no symptoms. These can quietly steal your sight before you realize that something is wrong. And like most anything, early detection is key to controlling or curing an eye problem. Annual eye exams for children are important because they are masters of hiding vision problems. They may not say that they can't see, but instead they may avoid reading or do poorly in school. We see our physician for an annual well visit when we feel great, and our dentist once a year when our teeth don't ache. There's nothing routine about the gift of sight ... help us to help you keep yours.
Q: I have noticed that some eye doctors’ offices offer to take photos of the inside of your eyes, even though it isn’t covered by my insurance - is this a good idea?
A: Yes, it is. Photography, or imaging, as we like to say, has come a long way. Not too many years ago, grainy polaroids were state of the art. Not anymore. Most imaging instruments take much more than just a photo. They capture high definition images of the different structures of the eye: the retina, nerve, blood vessels.
They can even capture problems on the outer parts of the eye - like a suspicious lump on the eyelid or dark spot on the iris (the colored part of your eye). Images can be magnified and enhanced in ways to show details that the doctor wouldn’t normally see.
It’s become an effective way to detect problems earlier when they are more easily treatable. Once taken, these images are a permanent part of your record.
Many times, imaging is done when there is a medical need - for example, to analyze a tear in the retina, to see leaky diabetic blood vessels, or document an optic nerve with glaucoma.
These are medical in nature and the doctor will order them. They are typically billed to your insurance company.
We are always striving to give our patients the best care possible. New technology and caring doctors make that happen every time you enter our office.
Q: At what ages should children have their eyes examined?
A: The official recommendations for the American and Canadian Optometric Associations are that infants should have their first eye exams at 6 months. Following that, children with no known vision issues should have another exam at 3 years and then prior to entering kindergarten. Children who do not require vision correction or therapy should have a vision checkup every year or two years and those who use vision correction should have an annual eye exam. Of course if your child is experiencing difficulty in school or after school activities that may be due to a vision problem schedule an eye exam immediately.
Q: My child passed a vision screening by the nurse at school. Does he still need an eye exam?
A: Yes. Many schools implement a basic vision screening test to assess whether the child sees clearly at a distance, however these tests are limited in scope. They do not assess functional vision such as the child’s ability to focus, track words on a page or the eyes’ ability to work in tandem. They also do not look at the health of the eye itself. These tests are essential to know the comprehensive picture of how healthy the eyes are and how well they are doing their job. In fact, studies shown that up to 43% of children with vision problems can pass a vision screening test! A comprehensive eye exam will assess all of these functions as well as color vision, depth perception, and eye coordination.
Q: My child was diagnosed with strabismus and amblyopia. Can this be treated and if so, what are the options?
A: Especially when diagnosed early, chances of a complete correction for strabismus and amblyopia are good when treated properly. The optimal age for this to occur is before 8-10 years old. Depending on the severity of the strabismus (crossed-eye), surgery may be required to straighten and properly align the crossed eyes. Amblyopia (lazy eye) can then be treated using eyeglasses, eye patching, or vision therapy to strengthen the weak eye and train the eyes to work together. A doctor that specializes in pediatric optometry can assess the condition and discuss treatment options on an individual basis.
Q: What is vision therapy?
A: Vision therapy is a doctor-supervised, individualized program of exercises to strengthen the functions of the eye. It is used to correct issues with eye alignment, focusing, coordination, tracking and more. Vision therapy often utilizes tools such as specialized lenses or prisms and involves exercises both during office visits and at home to reinforce the changes. The process usually takes about 6 months to see lasting improvement.
Q: My son’s nearsightedness keeps getting worse - he needs a new prescription every year. Is there a way to stop this?
A: There is research that shows that progressive myopia can be stopped or slowed during the childhood years. There are a number of therapies that are used for what is called “myopia control” including multifocal eyeglasses or contact lenses, orthokeratology (ortho-k) or atropine eye drops. Speak to a pediatric optometry specialist to learn more about the options and what might work best for your child.
Q: Every morning it is a fight to get my child to wear her glasses. What can I do?
A: It may take time for your child to adapt to the feel of the glasses and to be comfortable seeing with them. For little children, you can find glasses that come with integrated headbands that can help to hold the glasses in place. It helps to be consistent in putting them on to allow the child to adapt to the feel of the glasses.
Very often, especially for small children that can’t tell you what is bothering them, the reason for a child’s refusal to wear glasses is that something is not comfortable. It could be that the prescription is not right, that the glasses pinch or that are feeling heavy. It could be worthwhile to take the glasses back to the eye doctor to ensure that they are in fact a proper fit.
Q: At what age is it acceptable for a child to wear contact lenses?
A: Contact lenses can be a great convenience, especially for kids that are active or tend to break or lose their glasses. However, they are a medical device that must be treated with proper care and hygiene. If a child is not responsible enough to take care of them properly he could end up with a serious eye infection, a scratched cornea or worse. Most experts agree that the youngest age that contact lenses should be considered would be between 10-12 depending on the child’s maturity and cleanliness. Consult with your eye doctor about what would be best for your child.