- Discussion of general health as affecting vision
- Discussion of risk of eye disease
- Discussion of visual tasks and demands (how much computer work, high UV exposure, etc)*
EYE HEALTH EXAMINATION
At least four different instruments are used to examine the retina, optic nerve, cornea, eye lids, and other ocular structures. Our eye examination includes checking for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and other less common eye diseases. Dilation with eye drops is a routine part of the examination for all new patients, those over age 60, diabetics, and whenever needed to rule out eye disease.
REFRACTION
- Derive a spectacle prescription for both far and near distances
TWO-EYED COORDINATION
- Using two eyes together at all distances
- Balance of focusing and two-eyed coordination*
FOCUSING SKILLS
- Amount of focusing power
- Ability to change focus easily from far and near*
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Eye health concerns with treatment plan and/or referral as needed
- Prescription for glasses or fitting for contacts
- Spectacle lenses and/or contacts to optimize visual performance at work or leisure time*
*The astrik indicates tests that are not generaly part of a routine eye exam.
Optical Dispensary
Our ABO certified opticians work hand in hand with your doctor to assure that your glasses are tailor made to meet your individual needs.We get frames in daily, so our stock is always fresh and new. With over 600 frames in stock, you're sure to find a few you love! For a special frame selection experience, visit during one of our semi-annual frame shows. Held each spring and fall, frame shows feature the complete lines of two different frame vendors. It's busy, crowded, and FUN! We use lenses made by locally by Hoya. Hoya provides the exceptional quality, in both materials and designs, that our patients have come to expect.
Contact Lenses
With new contact lens materials and styles, almost anyone can wear contacts. Our contact lens services stress maintaining eye health for years of comfortable and healthy contact lens wear. We prescribe and evaluate all major brands of contact lenses
If you wear disposable contacts, you'll appreciate our streamlined annual contact lens check and low prices on a year's supply of contacts. Patients who have insurance benefits every two years consider this service a great value.
For new fits, we help you decide which would be better for you -- rigid or soft contacts -- and instruct you on lens care and handling techniques. We excel at fitting contacts for those with astigmatism and those over age 45 who need reading glasses. (Yes! Bifocal contacts do work!)
Solving contact lens problems requires time and expertise. We use special exam techniques to find subtle contact lens induced problems before they prevent you from wearing your contacts. We take the time to discuss solutions, dry eye problems, and other factors which may be affecting your comfort or clarity.
Refractive Surgery Consultations (including LASIK)
Refractive surgery is a big decision. Many factors should be considered prior to surgery, especially the long-term health of your eyes, and how your vision affects your lifestyle.
ALL surgeries involve some risk so careful consideration is prudent before deciding to undergo an elective surgery. Today's laser procedures are better and safer than ever before, but results of the surgery are permanent and irreversible. Although less than 1% of patients have uncorrectable vision loss, some patients experience a loss of crisp contrast, even with 20/20 vision. Laser treatment for refractive errors has been used since 1988. LASIK is now the procedure of choice due to it's safety, predictability, patient comfort, and convenience.
- What does surgery cost? Total Fees $1,880 to $2,280 per eye.
- Are you a good candidate? Good candidates for refractive surgery have needs that are not being met by their glasses or contacts, such as:
Occupational Needs: Are glasses or contacts a hazard at work? Is there a safety concern if you break or lose your contacts? (firefighters, police officers, grill cooks, etc.)
Recreational Needs: Are contact lenses unsafe or inconvenient? (snowboarding, water skiing, scuba diving, mountain climbing, camping, etc.)
Eye Health Needs: Do you have chronic irritation or infections with contacts? (allergies, dry eyes, excessive hours of wear, etc.)
Emotional Needs: Do you feel vulnerable being dependent on glasses or contact lenses?
We find that the people who are the happiest after refractive surgery are those who have active lifestyles or have visual needs that glasses or contacts cannot meet. Individuals with higher prescriptions tend to be happier than individuals with low prescriptions because, after the procedure, they will be able to do most daily activities without glasses, which is a new freedom. Enhancement surgery or residual nearsightedness is more likely with higher prescriptions.
Individuals who are more likely to be disappointed after laser surgery:
- demand crystal clear vision, and want to see as good or better than with contacts or glasses
- refuse to wear glasses for some activities
- never want to wear bifocals
Laser surgery is not a "cure all". Your uncorrected vision after surgery may not be 20/20. Most people still need glasses for night driving. If you are over forty, you will still need glasses to read.
Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT)
After intense research and clinical testing, CRT has been proven both safe and effective for patients of all ages and is FDA approved.
CRT is a non-invasive process that gently reshapes the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye). Unique gas-permeable contact lenses are worn while you sleep allowing you to enjoy freedom from correction throughout your day.
This flattening of the cornea reduces nearsightedness and is reversible, so if your prescription changes or you wish to discontinue the process your eyes will return the original shape. Patients are able to experience reduced dependence on glasses and contact lenses without the risk of surgery.
Nighttime wear of CRT lenses may improve vision to 20/20 within two weeks.
Imagine swimming, skiing, working, and driving without cumbersome glasses or contacts!
The result of CRT will vary to some degree from patient to patient, but are typically related to prescription strength. The process usually requires three to five visits within a one-month period. During the course of the fitting period, your doctor may adjust lens parameters until you receive your permanent lenses. Once overnight wear begins there is a two week transition period, however significant improvement of vision usually starts within one to two days of wearing the initial lens.
What else do you need to know?
The cost of CRT includes all therapeutic lenses required to achieve the desired effect, all professional services involved in fitting and modifying the therapy, and evaluating eye health response to the CRT lenses for a period of one year following the initial fitting.
An annual CRT lens evaluation along with a full comprehensive eye exam every two years is required at our standard fee to ensure ongoing ocular health in order to continue Corneal Refractive Therapy.
Remember to ask for itemized receipts for flex spending, or as a tax-deductible medical expense!
Eye Disease Treatment
Optometrists are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage most eye conditions. Not all of these conditions cause noticeable vision loss until it's too late to remedy. At Hawthorne Vision Center, we dilate during routine exams to detect "silent" eye diseases. We also provide care for many eye conditions both systemic and emergent, including:
"red" eyes
glaucoma
cataracts
degenerative conditions such as macular degeneration
dry eye syndrome
eye problems from systemic eye disease such as diabetes.
Children's Vision
A frequent question from parents is, "Aren't the school screenings my child goes through at school and/or their pediatrician sufficient?" The answer is NO! While these vision screenings can pick up profound vision impairment, they simply cannot detect subtle vision problems that can affect how children see and learn.
No child is too young for their first eye exam. Through a program called INFANTSEE sponsored by the American Optometric Association, any child under the age of 1 year can recieve a free eye exam at our office. From there a good schedule for eye exams is 2-3 years old, just before starting kindergarten, then every 1-2 years depending on the needs of the child.
At Hawthorne Vision Center we go beyond a thorough check of ocular health and any need for glasses with children. Special attention is paid to learning related visual skills like convergence of the eyes during reading, focusing at near, depth perception, and eye movements.
We make sure that your child has a great experience at our office so that your child will look forward to their next exam!
What if your child has a visual dysfunction that cannot be treated with glasses? Vision Therapy (or VT, as we affectionately call it) is a specific program of visual exercises that improves visual skills. Should your doctor suspect a learning problem that is not inherently visually related, special testing can be done in our office to screen for common types of dyslexia and our office can recommend other treatement resources.
