Eye Examinations

    The health of a person's eyes and visual system is determined by performing a complete history and a complete examination of the visual pathway. Included in the history are past medical history, a review of any symptoms the patient might be having, a list of medications, family history and drug allergies. Included in the exam are evaluations of vision, refraction, pupil reactions, eye movements, peripheral vision and external features of the face and head; also performed are an examination of the eyelids and eyes with a slit-lamp microscope, measurement of eye pressure, and dilation of the pupils to allow complete examination of the lens, optic nerve, retina and blood vessels.

Prescribing Corrective Lenses

    Included in an eye exam is the refraction, determination of the refractive error (see "The Optics of Vision"). If the refractive error is significant, a prescription is written and given to the patient. This is what an optician uses to make a pair of glasses. It specifies the strength and type of spectacle lenses. The glasses prescription is also the starting point for contact lenses. Both the construction of glasses and the fitting of contact lenses require much more information than provided by the prescription. This additional information, such as facial measurements in the construction of glasses, and curvature of the cornea in the fitting of contact lenses, is obtained by an optician in the optical department.

Diagnosis of Eye Disease

    If a person is noted to have abnormal vision, or abnormal findings are found on examination, the next step is to establish a diagnosis. All of the information from the history, the physical examination of the visual system, and other additional testing are put together to make a diagnosis. The diagnosis is the exact determination of the nature of a disease or condition. The prognosis is a forecast of the outcome of a disease process. Once the diagnosis is made, then treatment options and prognosis can be presented.

Medical Treatment of Eye Disease

    With the diagnosis in hand our doctors can recommend treatment options, and decide on a treatment plan with the patient. Treatments can include glasses or contact lenses, eyedrops or ointments, oral medicines, patching treatment, or surgery. Treatments are coordinated with the patient's primary care physician, and with knowledge of the patient's general medical status.

Surgery

    Surgery of the eyes and related structures such as the eyelids is a powerful group of techniques directed at preserving and restoring vision. We have performed thousands of eye surgeries through the years using state-of-the-art techniques. We perform cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, corneal transplantation, refractive surgery including LASIK, strabismus (eye-straightening) surgery, eyelid surgery, and many different laser procedures for conditions including glaucoma, diabetes and after-cataract.

Optical Department

    Our complete optical department has a wide selection of top-of-the-line eyewear, and is staffed by certified opticians and a trained style consultant. When you purchase eyewear from our optical department, your satisfaction is always guaranteed. Perhaps surprisingly, our prices are competitive, and include the full service and qualified experience that you expect from a professional. Contact lenses are also available from the optical department, and their fitting and maintenance is a coordinated program with input from our physicians, our optometrist Dr. Zook and our certified opticians.

Support Services

    Our front-office staff includes friendly and helpful receptionists who will greet you on the phone and in the office, and arrange appointments and other services; cashier, who will help with arranging payment and billing of insurance; and bookkeeper, who handles billing and can help with billing questions or problems. Our back-office staff is made up of enthusiastic and competent assistants who assist our doctors in examininations and treatments, and who perform additional tests such as visual fields and ultrasound. We have a full-time office manager who oversees all aspects of the clinic operation, and who can help with any problems or questions related to your care.

Our goal is to provide excellent care in a warm and efficient environment. We have over thirty years' experience in our current location, and work hard every day to enhance our reputation as a great medical office with dedication to our patients' health and vision.