Comprehensive Eye Examinations


Testing for More than 20/20

There is more to healthy vision than 20/20 eyesight!

The Snellen fractions (20/20, 20/100, etc.) are measures of sharpness or clarity of sight (visual acuity). 20/20 just means that at a distance of twenty feet a person can clearly see a certain size letter on the eye chart. There's more to healthy vision than 20/20!


Our comprehensive vision exam goes beyond 20/20 to evaluate many important visual skills, such as:

Visual Acuity at Near

Is vision clear and single at close distances? Clear sight at short distances is critical to reading, writing, close work, computer use, etc.

Eye Teaming Skills

Do the two eyes aim, move, and work as a coordinated team? Weaknesses in binocular (two-eyed) vision and eye teaming skills can cause numerous difficulties, including convergence insufficiency and poor depth perception.

Eye Focusing Skills

Do the eyes maintain clear vision at varying distances? Rapid, automatic eye focus adjustment is critical to learning, reading, writing, sports, etc. Deficiencies can cause visual fatigue, reduced reading comprehension, and/or avoidance of close work or other activities.

Eye Movement Skills

Do eye movements show adequate muscle control, tracking, fixation, etc.? In the classroom, normal eye movements allow rapid and accurate shifting of the eyes along a line of print or from book to desk to board, etc. In sports, efficient eye movements contribute to eye-hand coordination, visual reaction time, and accurate tracking.

Reversal Frequency

Is confusion or reversal of letters or words (b, d; p, q; saw, was; etc.) within the normal ranges for a given age? Past the age of seven, frequent visual and written reversals might indicate a visual perceptual dysfunction.

Above are just a few of the many visual skills evaluated during our comprehensive vision exam. In addition, the health of your eyes, inside and out, is carefully evaluated for such problems as cataracts, glaucoma, hypertension, diabetes, etc.

Vision Exams for Children

The American Optometric Association recommends that pre-school children receive a complete vision exam at the ages of six months, three years and five years. It is particularly important that a child have a complete evaluation in the summer prior to entry into Kindergarten. While in school, yearly evaluations are recommended.

Vision Exams for Adults

The American Optometric Association recommends a yearly eye exam for adults -- not only to detect and to diagnose vision changes or problems -- but, also to maintain eye health. For example, glaucoma, a disease caused by increased pressure in the eye, commonly goes unnoticed by adults. Regular vision examinations are also important for the prevention of vision problems created or aggravated by today's academic and professional demands.



Adavance Technology

We are exceptionally proactive in protecting your vision for a lifetime.  We have acquired the most advanced instruments available today. They include technology from Optos (Laser Retinal Scan), Zeiss Cirrus OCT, Zeiss Corneal topographer, and Humphresy Matrix (visual fields). These tools allow us to detect eye disease well in advance of vision loss in many cases.

Contact Lenses

Have you been told that you were unable to wear contacts before? We love to fit patients like you! Our office is specialized in fitting patients who have been diagnosed with astigmatism, keratoconus, myopia (nearsighted), and hyperopia (farsighted). We have all of the latest types of bifocal contacts including the new Synergeyes, the contact lens that changes everything!

The doctors at Pediatric and Adult Vision Care have been fitting the latest specialty lenses for over 25 years now. We offer a variety of lens materials and designs to maximize the clarity, comfort, and functionality of a contact lens. There have been some incredible changes over the years and we are excited to share these advances with you. Please call us to schedule an evaluation for lenses that will improve your vision and lifestyle.

Allergies can be particularly annoying to contact lens wearers. In the past many people had to quit wearing their lenses for a month or two during the allergy season. New lens materials and allergy medications have made it possible for these people to eliminate itchy eyes. These medications such as Patanol and Alrex are amazingly effective and safe even in children as young as three.

Eyewear Design and Dispensing

Nowhere do form and function come together as they do in eyewear. We offer a wide variety of the latest frames - from budget to designer brands - to suit both your life and your style. Our office utilizes the latest in equipment to not only fabricate your glasses, but to maintain and repair them should they become broken or damaged. We invite you to visit our office to have your frames adjusted and fit for your extended comfort and vision.

Additionally we offer a variety of lens options enhance your vision, including:

*No-line progressive lenses

*Thin and light lenses

*Photochromatic lenses that darken in the sunlight

*Glare-free lenses

*Scratch-resistant treatments

Reasons to Visit:

1. One year warranty on all frames

2. One year warranty on all scratch protected lenses

3. 50% off replacement of lost or unrepairable glasses within 1 year of purchase

4. 50% off lens replacement due to prescription change within 6 months of purchase

5. Choose from over 1,000 frames

6. State-of-the-Art lens technology

7. Experienced, trained opticians

8. Knowledgeable, courteous staff

9. Convenient location, parking, & office hours.

Corneal Refractive Therapy

CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy) is a great alternative to glasses, contacts, and surgery. CRT is a correction option designed to temporarily re-shape the front surface of the eye (the cornea) and slow down the progression of myopia (nearsightedness).

The treatment requires FDA approved therapeutic lenses to worn during sleep. During those hours of rest the therapeutic lenses gradually and safely reshape the cornea. Upon wakening they are removed and clear vision, without corrective contacts or glasses, is maintained throughout the day.

Children and adults with minimal astigmatism and myopia (nearsightedness) are excellent potential candidates.

We offer FREE consultations to those who are interested in exploring CRT with us. Please let our capable staff walk you through a life changing experience for you or your child.

Paragon Vision Sciences is the manufacturer of the therapeutic lenses used for CRT. To learn more about CRT click on the logo above.

Laser Vision Correction

Everyone is talking about LASIK. Here is a brief description of the procedure:

A flap is cut in the cornea and then the flap is gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea, much like a contact lens forms a new shape on the cornea, only the laser is permanent. The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage.

The "Wow!" effect of Lasik is the very rapid recovery of vision and the decreased level of discomfort post-operatively. You hear from people that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have functional vision in 24-48 hours. Although this is true in some cases, it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, continues to improve for some weeks, even months.

Everyone's eyes are different. Even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it does not mean it is right for you. If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to guide you in picking the right surgeon, procedure and laser appropriate for you. For many of you who are long-term contact lens wearers, my pre-operative input can make the difference between an excellent result and a mediocre one.

Post-operatively we can monitor your eyes, and taper medications to arrive at the best possible result. After all, no one knows your eyes better than your optometrist.
 

Surgery Co-Management

Our office provides many of the surgical services such as Cataract surgery, Laser surgery, Refractive surgery and Strabismic surgery. We offer this in conjunction with the hospital and local eye surgeons.

Additionally, we have working arrangements established with other specialized eye care doctors to manage such things as retinal detachments, retinal tears and hemorrhages.

Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, Dry Eyes

Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office at 724.935.9999 during office hours or after hours or on weekends. Our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art microscopes allow us to examine the front surface of the eye and facial areas around the eye for infection or injury. After assessing the extent of the injury or infection, a treatment plan will be formulated and explained to you. Treatment may include medications and supportive care. Follow-up visits to monitor your recovery will be scheduled as needed.

Dry Eyes: Symptoms include burning, mild redness and scratchy or gritty-feeling eyes. Oral medications, reading, computer tasks and dry environments may aggravate marginally dry eyes. Dry eyes can be diagnosed by using dyes to observe tear patterns, evaluation of the amount of tears on the front of the eye and from review of your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears; eye drops for treating allergies; and/or punctal plugs inserted in the tear drainage canals.

Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabeties

Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens gets too hazy, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects the vision to the extent that you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, we will recommend cataract surgery. Our office co-manages with cataract specialists that are proven experts in cataract surgery. Cataract surgery can provide you with a bright new world of vision.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.

Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a dilated retinal examination each year. Laser treatments have proven to slow the progression of retinal eye disease for many patients. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. We have the latest instruments used to detect changes in the back of the eye. If we discover advancing diabetic eye disease that can be treated or needs further evaluation, we will refer you for consultation and further testing to a board certified retinal specialist.

Vision Therapy

According to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, poor performance on standardized tests can signal a vision problem. Some visual conditions cannot be treated adequately with just glasses, contact lenses and/or patching, and are best resolved through a program of Vision Therapy at the Wexford Academy.

What is Vision Therapy?

Vision Therapy is an individualized, supervised, treatment program designed to correct visual-motor and/or perceptual-cognitive deficiencies. Vision Therapy sessions include procedures designed to enhance the brain's ability to control:
• eye alignment,
• eye teaming,
• eye focusing abilities,
• eye movements, and/or
• visual processing.

Visual-motor skills and endurance are developed through the use of specialized computer and optical devices, including therapeutic lenses, prisms, and filters. During the final stages of therapy, the patient's newly acquired visual skills are reinforced and made automatic through repetition and by integration with motor and cognitive skills.

Who Benefits from Vision Therapy?

Children and adults with visual challenges, such as:

Learning-related Vision Problems

Vision Therapy can help those individuals who lack the necessary visual skills for effective reading, writing, and learning (i.e., eye movement and focusing skills, convergence, eye-hand activity, visual memory skills, etc.). To learn more about vision-related learning problems, visit any of these web pages on reading, learning disabilities, DADD/ADHD, dyslexia, tracking or convergence insufficiency.

Poor Binocular Coordination

Vision Therapy helps individuals develop normal coordination and teamwork of the two eyes (binocular vision). When the two eyes fail to work together as an effective team, performance in many areas can suffer (reading, sports, depth perception, eye contact, etc.). To learn more about binocular vision, visit these web pages on 3D vision and depth perception, convergence insufficiency or The Framing Game.

Stress-induced Visual Difficulties

21st century lifestyles demand more from our vision than ever before. Environmental stresses on the visual system (including excessive computer use or close work) can induce headaches and/or visual difficulties which can be effectively treated with corrective lenses and/or Vision Therapy. To learn more about Computer Vision Syndrome, visit allaboutvision.com.

Visual Rehabilitation for Special Populations

Vision can be compromised as a result of neurological disorders or trauma to the nervous system (such as, traumatic brain injuries, stroke, whiplash, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, etc.). Vision Therapy may effectively treat the visual consequences of trauma (including double vision). To learn more about brain injuries and vision, visit braininjuries.org.

Sports Vision Improvement

Strong visual skills are critical to sports success. Not much happens in sports until your eyes instruct your hands and body as to what to do! Accurate vision and athletic visual skills can be measured, developed, and enhanced through Vision Therapy. We measure and successfully improve eye-hand coordination, visual reaction time, peripheral awareness, eye teaming, focusing, tracking, and visualization skills (to mention just a few).

Vision Therapy can be the answer to many visual problems. Don't hesitate to contact us with your questions. To read definitions of Vision Therapy by outside sources, visit children-special-needs.org.

Success Stories

We provide a unique vision care service called Vision Therapy. You are invited to read hundreds of Vision Therapy Success Stories written by patients (children and adults), parents, and teachers at visiontherapystories.org. Vision Therapy helps people with visual difficulties relating to a wide range of conditions, skills, and/or symptoms, such as: 20/20 Vision Click Here, ADD-ADHD, Lazy Eye, Blurry Vision, Convergence Insufficiency, Crossed Eyes, Depth Perception, Dizziness and Motion Sickness, Double Vision, Eye Strain & Fatigue, Eye Tracking Problems, Headaches, Learning Disabilities, Non-verbal Learning Disorders (NLD), Special Education, Reading Improvement, School Performance, Sports, Strabismus, Wandering Eyes, and much more.
Read what hundreds of people have written when asked "What changes have you seen as a result of a Vision Therapy program?" or "How has Vision Therapy changed your life and/or your child's life?" Go to Vision Therapy Success Stories.

InfantSEE
 
Begin a lifetime of healthy vision for your infant today. Free Infant Vision assessment up to one year of age. Ask us for more details.