FAQ

Regular eye exams are an invaluable tool in maintaining your eyes’ health by detecting and preventing disease. Some diseases, such as glaucoma, develop gradually without causing pain or vision loss – so you may not notice anything wrong until significant and irreversible damage has been done. Early detection of any problems can allow for a choice of treatment options or prevent further harm.

Appointment times vary depending on the type of appointment.  A full exam can take 1-2 hours.  This includes the time needed to check your glasses prescription and to dilate your eyes.  Some follow-up appointments may be as quick as 15 minutes.

Please bring with you a photo ID, all of your insurance cards, and a list of your current medications.  If required by your insurance company, also bring a referral from you primary care doctor and/or any co-payment needed at the time of service.

If you are being seen for the first time or it has been over a year since your last appointment, please also print from this website the:

• Patient Registration Form
• Medical History Form
• Patient Acknowledgement & Consent Form

Completing these forms prior to your appointment will save you time on the day of your appointment.  If you are unable to print the forms, they can also be completed at the time of your appointment.

Be sure to also bring any glasses or contact lenses you are currently wearing.

Your ophthalmologist will determine whether your eyes need to be dilated.  This is to allow the doctor to have a better view of the retina and optic nerve.  All routine exams include a dilated eye exam to allow the ophthalmologist to assess the overall health of your eye.

You may experience light sensitivity and blurred vision after having your eyes dilated.  The blurred vision will make it more difficult to read up close.  Your distance vision is not significantly affected and most patients have no trouble driving after their appointment. If you have a pair of sunglasses, you may want to bring it with you to help reduce the light sensitivity after your appointment. If not, our office can provide you a temporary pair of sunglasses to go home with.

Everybody’s eyes will react differently to the dilating drops.  On average, we say that your eyes will remain dilated for 4-6 hours after your appointment.

A cataract is a cloudy area in the normally clear lens in the front of the eye. Cataracts aren’t painful, but they do cause symptoms, including:

• Blurred/hazy vision
• Loss of color perception
• Sensitivity to glare
• A feeling of a “film” over the eye(s)

People at risk for developing cataracts include those who are over 55, have had eye injuries or disease, have a family history of cataracts, smoke cigarettes or use certain medications.

Vision loss from cataracts can often be improved with prescription glasses and contact lenses. For people whose vision cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses because of a significant cataract, cataract surgery may be the preferred method of treatment. Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure in the country. During this procedure, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one called an intraocular lens or IOL.

“Dry eye” often occurs during the natural aging process. It can also form as a result of eyelid or blinking problems, certain medications such as antihistamines and oral contraceptives, climate (low humidity, wind, dust), injury, and various health problems such as arthritis.

Symptoms include:

• Irritated, scratchy, dry, uncomfortable or red eyes
• A burning sensation or feeling of something foreign in your eyes
• Blurred vision

In addition to being uncomfortable, dry eye can damage eye tissue, scar the cornea and impair vision. Dry eye is not preventable, but it can be controlled before harm is done to your eyes.

Treatment can take many forms. Non-surgical methods include blinking exercises, increasing humidity at home or work, and use of artificial tears or moisturizing ointment. If these methods fail, small punctal plugs may be inserted in the corners of the eyes to limit tear drainage, or the drainage tubes in the eyes may be surgically closed.

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. It occurs when the pressure inside the eye rises high enough to damage the optic nerve. Symptoms include blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, halo effects around lights and painful or reddened eyes. Testing by an ophthalmologist can detect glaucoma before symptoms appear and begin treatment to prevent vision loss.

People at greatest risk for developing glaucoma include those who are over 40, diabetic, near-sighted, African-American, or who have a family history of glaucoma.

Macular degeneration occurs when the center of the retina degrades, causing a progressive loss of vision. Symptoms include:

• A gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly
• A gradual loss of color vision
• Distorted vision
• A dark or empty area appearing in the center of vision

There are two kinds of macular degeneration: “wet” and “dry.” The “wet” form can be treated in its early stages. Regular eye exams are highly recommended to detect macular degeneration early and prevent permanent vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that weakens the blood vessels that nourish the retina. Vision can be lost if these weak vessels leak, swell or develop thin branches. In its advanced stages, diabetic retinopathy can cause blurred or cloudy vision, floaters and blind spots – and, eventually, blindness. This damage is irreversible. However, treatment can slow disease progression and prevent further vision loss. Treatment modalities include laser and surgical procedures.

Yes. People with diabetes are most susceptible to developing it, but your risk is reduced if you follow your prescribed diet and medications, exercise regularly, and control your blood pressure. Regular eye exams are an integral part of making sure your eyes remain healthy.