Services
Comprehensive Ocular Examination
A comprehensive eye exam involves a series of tests designed to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. These tests include but are not limited to:
External eye exam
Our eye doctor makes an evaluation of your eyes using a light to ensure the exterior parts of your eyes are functioning correctly.
Eye Muscle Test
This test examines your eye alignment to ensure they’re functioning properly.
Retinal examination
A retinal examination examines the back of your eye for eye diseases and conditions. We may use special eye drops to dilate your pupils.
Note: Comprehensive eye examinations can reveal diseases of the eye or even diseases of the overall body that happen to show up in the eyes, such as diabetes (blood sugar) or hypertension (blood pressure)
Visual Acuity Test
This test measures how sharply or clearly you can see something at a distance.
Refraction assessment
This test evaluates your glasses prescription and can also be used to help determine contact lens powers.
Slit-lamp examination
A slit lamp allows us to see the structures at the front of your eye using a special microscope, specifically looking for eye diseases and conditions.
Tonometry
Tonometry measures the fluid pressure inside of your eyes, to help screen for glaucoma.
Contact Lens Evaluation & Fitting
Contact lenses are determined by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) to be medical devices. Like all prescription devices, contacts must be monitored on a regular basis. Good vision and eye comfort does not insure a healthy contact lens fit. Proper follow up care is necessary to prevent potentially harmful situations.
All contact lens patients require a contact lens evaluation & fit on a yearly basis. Our eye doctors assess your eyes to make sure your cornea, lids, and lashes are healthy, and also that your vision with contacts is stable. If you are a first time contact lens wearer the doctor also assesses if you are a candidate for contact lenses. If you are an existing contact lens wearer the doctor must evaluate the current lenses you are in to make sure they fit properly.
Brand new contact lens patients must take part in our start and teach procedure. During this time a member of our specialized eye team will instruct the you on proper insertion and removal of the contact lens. We will also go over important aspects in maintaining proper hygiene and good care of the contacts. Sample contacts may be tried out of the office to test for proper comfort and vision with a follow up visits included.
Geriatric Eye Care & Low Vision
Our eye doctors provide low vision therapy and eye advice for patients with visual needs reduced by the normal aging process of the eye. There are four main conditions that can effect the vision and health of our senior population.
Age Related Macular Degeneration
ARMD is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. Genetics can play a role in the risk but people who smoke, are overweight or have poor body health are at risk.
Cataracts
This condition leads in decreased vision for senior patients. Cataracts occur due to a clouding of the natural lens in the eye. This can lead to trouble in low lighting conditions, blurred vision and decreased color recognition.
Glaucoma
This condition is most often caused caused by elevated pressure in the eye due to an increase in the natural fluid of the eye. There is no cure for glaucoma and vision loss is irreversible. Glaucoma can be managed with medication and sometimes surgical treatment.
Diabetes
High blood sugar can cause damage to blood vessels on the back part of the eye (retina). If you have had diabetes for a long time or have had trouble maintaining proper blood sugar levels you may be at higher risk for eye damage.
If you cannot achieve 20/20 vision you may need a Low Vision Evaluation. During these consultations, our eye doctors use specialized equipment to make your vision as clear as possible to do certain tasks within your lifestyle.
What are some signs that may indicate you need a Low Vision Evaluation?
- Does your vision negatively affect your daily living?
- Do you have problems with reading the computer or mail?
- Do you have difficulty grooming, shaving or applying makeup?
- Do you have trouble reading medications or cell phones?
- Are you having to give up hobbies due to vision?
- Have you been told by a previous eye doctor that your vision is the “best it can be”?
If you answered yes to any of these questions or are having difficulties in your life due to vision problems, you may benefit from a Low Vision Evaluation.
Pediatric Eye Care & Visual Therapy
Our doctors provide Visual Therapy for children! We are the only practice that provides Visual Therapy for both the Roanoke Valley and greater Lynchburg area. We are specialized to help improve in the visual clarity of your child and prepare them for a lifetime of clear sight.
There are four main conditions that can affect the vision and health of our children.
Refractive Error
Almost 15% of children suffer from undiagnosed vision problems. Failure to detect these conditions can delay perceptual skills, reading abilities and contribute to attention deficits in children. Fortunately, most of these conditions are easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Strabismus
Strabismus, more commonly known as eye turn, affects about 3-4% of our children. It is an inability for the eyes to maintain alignment in the same direction and work as a team. The treatment for strabismus depends on the severity of the condition, but may include special prismatic glasses, surgery or vision therapy.
Amplyopia
Amblyopia is a term to describe a preventable reduction in vision in one or both eyes. It affects 5-8% of the overall population. It may lead to a permanent decrease in vision; if untreated the condition may have a significant negative impact on the child. If diagnosed early, the condition may be corrected through glasses, patching or vision therapy.
Childhood Ocular Disease
Childhood ocular disease can have serious consequences for children. Although rare, childhood ocular diseases can negatively effect clarity of vision and in some cases overall health. The treatments are variable depending on the condition, but early detection is the key.