Primary Eye Care

Most adults under 65 should have comprehensive eye exams every two years to maintain good eye health. Adults 65 and older should have annual eye exams. People with certain risk factors may need more frequent exams. We recommend annual eye exams if you have:

• Diabetes or high blood pressure
• Family history of eye disease
• Previous eye injuries or surgeries
• Age over 60 years

Some eye symptoms require urgent care to prevent vision loss. Contact our office immediately if you experience sudden vision changes, severe eye pain, or flashing lights. Other warning signs include:

• Double vision or seeing halos around lights
• Red, swollen, or painful eyes
• New floating spots in your vision
• Curtain-like shadow blocking your sight

Any change in your vision deserves professional evaluation, even if the change seems minor. Blurry vision, difficulty reading, or trouble seeing at night can signal underlying eye conditions. Our eye doctors can determine if your vision changes need treatment or new corrective lenses.

Different ages require different levels of eye care attention. Children should have their first comprehensive eye exam between 6 to 12 months of age, followed by exams at age 3, before starting school, and then every two years during school age. Adults with no risk factors can wait two years between exams until age 65.

Most adults under 65 should have comprehensive eye exams every two years, while those 65 and older need annual exams. People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history of eye disease may need annual exams regardless of age. Children should have their first eye exam between 6 to 12 months of age, then at age 3, before starting school, and every two years during school age. Our eye doctors can recommend the best schedule for your specific needs.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who can diagnose and treat all eye conditions, including performing surgery. Optometrists provide eye exams and treat many eye conditions but have varying scopes of practice depending on the state. In some states, optometrists can perform certain surgical procedures, while in others their scope is more limited. Both can prescribe glasses and contact lenses, but ophthalmologists handle more serious eye diseases and most surgical procedures.

Dilation is often necessary for a complete eye examination, especially if you are over 40 or have risk factors for eye disease. The eye drops temporarily make your pupils larger so we can examine the inside of your eyes thoroughly. Your vision may be blurry and light-sensitive for 4 to 6 hours after dilation, with some people experiencing effects for up to 24 hours. Bring sunglasses to help with light sensitivity after your visit.

Bring your current glasses or contact lenses, a list of medications you take, and your insurance cards. If you have a family history of eye disease or other health conditions like diabetes, let us know. Sunglasses are helpful to have after your visit if your eyes will be dilated.

Many insurance plans do not require a referral for ophthalmology visits, but you should check with your insurance company to be sure. Some plans may require a referral from your primary care doctor. We can help you understand your insurance benefits when you schedule your appointment.

Wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors, eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid smoking. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar well-controlled. Take regular breaks from computer screens using the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Wear safety glasses when doing activities that could injure your eyes.

Warning signs include sudden vision changes, severe eye pain, flashing lights, new floating spots, double vision, halos around lights, red or swollen eyes, and curtain-like shadows in your vision. Any persistent eye discomfort, headaches with eye strain, or difficulty seeing at night should also be evaluated promptly.

Yes, many children can safely wear contact lenses once they are mature enough to handle insertion, removal, and proper care. The age varies by child, but most are ready between 8 to 12 years old. We evaluate each child individually to determine if they are good candidates for contact lenses.

For true eye emergencies like sudden vision loss, severe eye trauma, or chemical exposure to the eyes, go to the nearest emergency room immediately. For urgent but non-emergency issues, our office provides after-hours contact information for guidance on whether immediate care is needed.

Signs your child may need glasses include squinting, sitting too close to screens, frequent headaches, covering one eye, difficulty reading, poor performance in school, or complaints of blurry vision. Regular eye exams are the best way to detect vision problems early, as children often do not realize they have vision issues.

Yes, foods rich in antioxidants support eye health. Include leafy greens like spinach and kale, colorful vegetables like carrots and bell peppers, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, and citrus fruits in your diet. These foods contain nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, and omega-3s that may help prevent age-related eye diseases.

Nearsightedness means you can see close objects clearly but distant objects appear blurry. Farsightedness means distant objects are clearer than close objects, though severe farsightedness can cause blurry vision at all distances. Both conditions are easily corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.