What kind of eye doctor should I see? Typically, you can see an optometrist for your routine eye care. Your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist if they detect a medical need that they are unable to treat. Optometrists provide primary eye and vision care, performing eye exams to detect and treat vision and health problems, and prescribe glasses and contact lenses to correct vision. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye surgeries, diagnose and treat diseases of the eye, and perform medical eye exams. Some ophthalmologists specialize in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care after completing additional fellowship training.
A routine comprehensive eye exam usually takes between 45 and 90 minutes.
Why do you dilate my eyes? Dilating drops widen the pupil so it doesn’t get smaller when light shines in. Dilation allows your doctor to look at your retina, optic nerve, blood vessels, and other parts of your eye that cannot otherwise be seen. What is a refraction? “Which is better, 1 or 2?” The refraction is the test done by your eye doctor to determine if glasses will help you see better. Charges for your refraction are covered by some insurances. Why do I need a contact lens evaluation? Because contact lenses are worn directly on your eyes, it is essential to have the fit evaluated by your eye doctor every year. Your contact lens evaluation is in addition to your comprehensive eye exam and may be covered by some insurances. What is optomap ® ? In addition to your dilated eye exam, you can now add retinal imaging to your electronic eye health history. Dr. Robbie Pairolero of EyeCare Associates of Haslett & Perry explains, “In under a second, optomap ® captures a 200-degree image of your retina. The image allows a doctor to detect and monitor systemic problems such as diabetes, hypertension, and tumors earlier than traditional methods.” While not yet covered by insurance, the optomap ® is an important diagnostic tool that only takes minutes.
Bottom line: Regular comprehensive eye exams are an important part of staying healthy. Call to set your appointment today!
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