Many diseases of the eye may have no symptoms, so your eyes feel and function normally. Unfortunately, certain diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration can develop gradually so you don't even realize there's a problem. If detected early, these diseases can often be successfully treated to prevent further deterioration. Early detection is the key.
A thorough eye examination always includes the use of drops to dilate the pupils. This opens the door into the back of the eye and allows me to look carefully for signs of disease. In addition to diseases of the eye like cataracts and macular degeneration, I can sometimes discover signs of other diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, in this manner. Dilating the pupils also allows me to carefully check the retina for irregularities such as macular degeneration and retinal tears.
Most people can see clearly again within 2-4 hours (although times can vary among patients).
Our doctors schedule the day carefully to allow for new appointments at the top of each hour, so there is usually not a long wait. We reserve other times of the day for brief follow-up appointments and emergencies.
No, although some of the drops I use can sting the eyes for about 5 seconds.
The National Institutes of Health has an excellent website with clear, comprehensive information that is updated frequently.
No. That test is used to measure the pressure in the eye to be sure there is no glaucoma, but I have a different, painless way to test the eye.
Absolutely! We have always made it a priority to see emergencies the same day whether the patient belongs to my practice or not. That is why so many area physicians refer emergency patients to our practice on a daily basis.
Vision exams at school, although good screening devices, are no substitute for a thorough eye examination. Many eye diseases can be missed during a screening exam, including eye strain, which can be the cause of poor school performance. I recommend that every child receive a thorough eye exam by the age of 5 to be sure there are no hidden diseases or conditions, such as lazy eye. If everything looks normal, then I might recommend a reexamination in 3 years.
