We truly believe in routine eye examinations so that you can see as clearly as possible. Once you have to get glasses or contacts, it is even more important to watch the health of your eyes. You also need routine checks to ensure your prescription has not changed.
To ensure good eye health and vision, we are very proud to offer the following services:
- Comprehensive Eye Exams
- Computer Vision
- Diabetic Eye Care
- Digital Retina Imaging
- Dry Eye Treatment
- Emergency Care
- LASIK Co-Management
- Ortho-K
- Pediatric Eye Exams
- Surgery Co-Management
- LASIK Surgery
- Digital Retinal Imaging & OCT Scans
- InfantSEE®
- Latisse
- Scleral Lenses
- posEYEdon
- Pink/Red Eyes & Foreign Body Removal
- Management of Ocular Diseases
- Pelleve: Treatment for the Eye and Its Adnexa
- Refractive Surgery Co-Management
- Corneal Mapping
- Visual Field Testing
- Sports and Specialty Eyewear Fitting
- Computer Glasses
- YAG Laser Treatment
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Taking our eyesight for granted is something that we are virtually all guilty of. Nevertheless, it is the sense that we use the most and the predominant way in which we connect with the environment around us. Our eyes are very delicate and can be easily damaged or affected by a variety of things. Careful monitoring of your ocular health and your vision is essential if your eyes are to remain healthy and functioning as well as possible. Regular eye exams are the best way for a professional optometrist to track the condition of your eyes so that any potential problems can be spotted early before they have serious consequences for your vision and eye health.
If you are looking for comprehensive eye exams in Lexington, KY look no further than our Eye Care Center. Our expert team understand the importance of your ocular health and clear vision and can provide a range of services to ensure that your eyes receive the best possible care. These start with a thorough eye exam. Here is what you need to know about why regular eye exams are so important and what you can expect when you attend an appointment at our clinic.
Key Reasons To Attend Your Comprehensive Eye Exam
Contrary to popular belief, eye exams aren’t just to check that you can see clearly. There are a number of reasons why it is essential that you attend these appointments. Comprehensive eye exams:
- Are used to monitor the health of your eyes
- Can be used to detect and subsequently diagnose serious eye conditions including glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, all of which can lead to blindness
- Can determine if you need prescription lenses to see clearly
- Will enable your optometrist to see if your prescription requirements have changed
- Can enable solutions that will reduce symptoms such as headaches, dry eye syndrome, visual fatigue and more
- Will ensure that your child can see clearly, something which is essential to his education since as much as 90% of learning is visual
What To Expect From Your Comprehensive Eye Exam
A comprehensive eye exam usually contains a variety of elements. These may alter slightly between patients depending on your individual needs. For example, only patients who are interested in wearing contact lenses will be given a contact lens exam. Some of the things that you should expect include:
- A consultation to discuss your medical and visual history. This will include asking about your familial history, such as if close blood relatives have had eye problems, and about how you feel your current vision is.
- Preliminary health tests to assess for signs of problems such as macular degeneration or glaucoma. Our optometry team will look at your depth perception, eye movements, color vision, peripheral vision and how well your pupils respond to light.
- Visual acuity testing. This is used to determine how clearly you can see in each eye and is used to diagnose refractive errors that necessitate the use of prescription lenses. In addition, you will be given refraction testing that is used to decide on the power of the lenses that you will need to correct your refractive error.
If the results of your preliminary health tests show any cause for concern, you may be given a series of more comprehensive assessments so that we can determine if there is a problem and make an accurate diagnosis so that the right treatment can begin.
Comprehensive eye exams are the best way to protect the long-term health of your eyes and sustain your vision for the future. Contact our eye care center today to schedule your appointment.
Computer Vision
Computer Vision is a relatively new term within the optometry field and refers to eye problems associated with the prolonged use of computers and electronics that utilize a digital screen. Although it can be temporary, there are times when computer vision can strain the eyes to a degree that permanently affects your vision as well. An existing eye condition can worsen as the eyes try to focus and adjust to a computer screen, and precautions should be taken if you spend long hours in front of a computer screen.
If you have been experiencing blurry vision, dry eyes, eye strain, headaches, neck or back pain, try adjusting the lighting, posture, and the distance in front of your computer screen. If computer vision symptoms persist, call us to request an appointment, we will perform a full evaluation.
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Diabetic Eye Care
Diabetes can affect more than just your blood sugar. It can also do some damage to your eyes if you are not careful.
Diabetic eye disease can cause vision loss if you are not careful. It can cause you to have trouble with everyday tasks even if you have regular glasses or contacts. It can even cause blindness.
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Digital Retina Imaging
Using a digital camera system, our optometrists at Eye Care Center Optometrist, PSC can clearly see and examine your retina, located at the back of your eye. This examination is critical to monitoring the health of your eye as well as to the early detection of many medical problems. The pictures generated through retinal imaging help us identify problems with your vision and can also help diagnose other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, or even brain tumors.
Dry Eye Treatment
Eye Care Center Optometrist, PSC is proud to offer dry eye treatment for our patients. Ocular Surface Disease, also known as dry eye, can occur from certain medications, naturally by aging, or as a symptom arising from systemic diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis, or Lupus. If you have a minor case of dry eye, you may be experiencing irritation, excessive tearing, fluctuating vision, and/or a burning sensation in your eyes. Excessive dry eyes, or dry eye symptoms that go untreated, have the potential to damage eye tissue, scar your corneas, and impair your vision.
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Emergency Care
Here at Eye Care Center Optometrist, PSC, we are here for you in the case of an emergency. There are times when you may need immediate care for your eyes. Any time that you experience trauma to your eyes, you need to be seen. If you get anything in your eye, especially chemicals and foreign objects, you should be seen immediately to limit the potential damage to the eye.
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LASIK Co-Management
LASIK stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis and is a popular surgery to correct vision problems. LASIK can help people who are nearsighted or farsighted, as well those who have astigmatism.
LASIK works by reshaping the cornea with a laser, which allows light to be correctly focused onto the retina. A laser is used to create a small flap in the cornea, which is peeled back so another laser can reshape the cornea. The flap is then placed back and the surgery is complete.
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Ortho-K
Ortho-k involves temporarily reshaping the cornea through the use of specialized contact lenses, which are designed to be worn while sleeping. Although these lenses are not very common and most people still prefer laser surgery, this reshaping method is gaining more popularity as the procedure continues to be improved.
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Pediatric Eye Exams
Regular eye exams are important for children since their eyes can change significantly in as little as a year as the muscles and tissue develop. Good eyesight is critical for a child’s life and achievements since success in school is closely tied to eye health. School demands intense visual involvement, including reading, writing, using computers, and blackboard/smartboard work. Even physical activities and sports require strong vision. If their eyes aren’t up to the task, a child may feel tired, have trouble concentrating, have problems in school or have difficulty playing their favorite games which may affect their overall quality of life.
When To Perform A Pediatric Eye Exam?
According to research, a child should have an initial screening between 6 and 12 months of age. After that, routine eye health and vision screenings throughout childhood should be performed in order to help detect any abnormalities as their eyes develop. Then, unless otherwise recommended, every two years thereafter until the age of 18.
For a newborn, an optometrist should examine the baby’s eyes and perform a test called “red reflex test” which is a basic indicator that the eyes are normal. In a case that the baby is premature or at high risk for medical problems for other reasons, has signs of abnormalities, or has a family history of serious vision disorders in childhood, the optometrist should perform a comprehensive exam.
A second eye health examination should be done to infants between six months and the first birthday. This examination includes tests of pupil responses to evaluate whether the pupil opens and closes properly in the presence or absence of light, a fixate and follow test to determine whether the baby can fixate on an object such as a light and follow it as it moves, and a preferential looking test which uses cards that are blank on one side with stripes on the other side to attract the gaze of an infant to the stripes and thus vision capabilities can be assessed. Infants should be able to perform this task well by the time they are 3 months old.
For a Preschooler, between the ages of 3 and 3½, a child’s visual acuity and eye alignment should be assessed. If the child is diagnosed with misaligned eyes (strabismus), “lazy eye” (amblyopia), refractive errors (astigmatism, myopia, hyperopia) or any other focusing problems, it’s important to begin treatment as soon as possible to ensure successful vision correction and life-long benefits.
At School age or upon entering school, the child’s eyes should be screened for visual acuity and alignment. In this age group, nearsightedness (myopia) is the most common refractive error and can be corrected with eyeglasses.
There are some signs that parents can tell if their child has a vision problem. For example, the child may squint, hold reading materials very close to their face, or complain about things appearing blurry. However, there are some less obvious signs that may indicate vision problems, such as having a short attention span, quickly losing interest in games, projects or activities that require using their eyes for an extended period of time, or losing their place when reading. As well as choosing to avoid reading, drawing, playing games or doing other projects that require focusing up close. Another sign is that a child may turn his or her head to the side when looking at something in front of them. This may be a sign of a refractive error, including astigmatism, so by turning their head helps the child see better.
That’s why it is so important for kids to have regular eye screenings with an optometrist. The earlier a vision problem is found and treated, the better off your child will be in and out of school.
Surgery Co-Management
If you are interested in laser surgery, we will begin with a comprehensive eye examination, which will let us know more about you and your needs. We may have to perform some testing to properly diagnose your eye conditions. During this time, the surgeon and staff will go over what you can expect before, during and after the procedure; we want to make sure to give you realistic answers for your unique vision.
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LASIK Surgery
LASIK stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis and is a popular surgery to correct vision problems. LASIK can help people who are nearsighted or farsighted, as well those who have astigmatism.
LASIK works by reshaping the cornea with a laser, which allows light to be correctly focused onto the retina. A laser is used to create a small flap in the cornea, which is peeled back so another laser can reshape the cornea. The flap is then placed back and the surgery is complete.
LASIK is popular because it is a quick procedure with a high success rate. The surgery takes about 10 minutes and only requires local anesthesia in the form of eye drops. LASIK does not typically involve much pain and does not require stitches or bandages. The results are often immediate and adjustments can be made in the future to correct vision if there are any changes.
While rare, there are downsides and potential side effects to LASIK, which is why you should consult with your optometrist to see if the procedure is right for you. At Eye Care Center Optometrist, PSC, we will discuss what to expect before and after LASIK. Contact us at today to learn how LASIK could work for you.
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Digital Retinal Imaging & OCT Scans
Digital retinal imaging is important because, often, vision or eye problems can develop with no clear symptoms. Subtle changes in your vision can be hard to detect and diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, or retinal tears may only be visible through these images. Even in healthy eyes, retinal imaging is important as it allows us to track changes in your eyes over time so we can better predict and prepare for common issues that affect eyes as they age.
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InfantSEE®
Here at Eye Care Center Optometrist, PSC, we specialize in offering an InfantSEE® appointment for your baby’s vision exam.
Having an InfantSEE® assessment will help us find out how your baby’s vision is developing at that very moment. It can also help us determine your baby’s vision in the future. We recommend that babies have their first vision check between six months and one year of age. Your child’s test will also be completely free through the use of InfantSEE®.
Your baby will learn more and more about vision over time. The greatest amount of growth in vision happens during the first year of life. During that time, babies learn how to focus on objects and move their eyes around.
An InfantSEE® appointment takes approximately ninety minutes at our office. We will do a complete check of your baby’s eyes and see if there is anything to be concerned about. Our qualified and friendly staff with work with both you and your baby to ensure your questions are answered.
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Latisse
Many people don’t realize that eyelashes are both functional and attractive. The purpose of eyelashes is to act as a first line of defense for our eyes, preventing airborne dirt, dust and other debris from reaching the delicate tissues of our eyes. You probably don’t know that when your eyes are closed, your eyelashes form a nearly impenetrable barrier against foreign irritants entering the eyes.
Unfortunately, we aren’t all blessed with naturally thick, luscious lashes. In fact, many people choose to get artificial eyelashes or eyelash extensions to make them appear longer or thicker than they really are. Unfortunately, the challenge of achieving voluminous eyelashes is even greater if you suffer from a condition called hypotrichosis.
What Is Hypotrichosis?
Hypotrichosis is a term used by dermatologists to describe a lack of hair growth. It’s not to be confused with alopecia, which is where previous growth has been replaced by hair loss. Hypotrichosis affects the length, number, and texture of the hair, and people who are affected develop dry, coarse and sparse hair. The condition can affect hair anywhere on the body, including the eyelashes. As a result, patients usually have very thin, sparse eyelashes.
In many cases, hypotrichosis is hereditary, but it can also be caused by other factors including:
- hormonal changes (such as menopause)
- inflammation of the eyelids (a condition called blepharitis)
- allergies
- overuse of eyelash curlers
If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your eyelashes and you have been diagnosed with hypotrichosis, you may be a candidate for the highly effective, prescription-only treatment known as Latisse.
What Is Latisse?
Latisse is the only FDA-approved medical treatment for eyelash hypotrichosis. This lash serum is administered in the same way as eyedrops and has been shown to increase the proportion of lashes in the growth phase of the hair cycle, meaning that they grow for longer periods of time. This helps to produce longer, fuller lashes in as little as 8 weeks.
Application of Latisse is very simple. After cleaning your eyes and ensuring all traces of cosmetics have been removed, you just apply a single drop of the solution to the base of your upper eyelashes every evening. It’s important not to use the solution on the lower eyelashes as this could lead to excessive hair growth outside of the treatment area. In most cases, patients are recommended to apply Latisse daily for 16 weeks for maximum improvement in the thickness and length of their lashes. Results should start to become visible around 5/6 weeks after beginning the treatment and will continue to improve until you stop using Latisse.
For more information about Latisse, or to find out if you are a good candidate for treatment, please speak to our dedicated eyecare team.
Scleral Lenses
A Contact Lens Custom Made Just for You
Eye Care Center Optometrist, PSC is proud to offer the posEYEdon contact lens. Customized to precisely fit your eye, this lens is fabricated from FDA approved Gas Permeable material and provides comfort, clear vision and ocular health.
