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Comprehensive Eye Examinations
As one of our patients, you will be given a thorough examination to determine the health of your eyes and the quality of your vision. Here is a brief description of what to expect during your exam:
Case History
This is useful in determining whether your vision problems are due to an eye problem or your general health. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and rheumatoid arthritis are some of the diseases that can affect your eyes. Certain medicines can also affect your eyes. We also want to know your specific work, hobby, and sports vision requirements so that we can determine the best prescription for you.
Refraction
This is a series of lens tests to determine the ideal prescription for glasses or contacts.
Accommodation & Eye Coordination
This is a series of tests to determine how the eye focuses up close and how the eyes work together as a team.
Eye Health Examination
A special microscope is used to examine the outside health of the eyes. In order to see into the back of the eye, we recommend that your pupils be dilated in order to see the entire background of the eye. This will be up to the patient. Some people find it a little more difficult to drive afterwards so you may want to have someone with you to drive you home. Also, your vision will be blurred up close for 2-3hours afterwards so please let us know if this would be inconvenient when you come in and we will schedule it for a later time.
Eye Fluid Pressure
The fluid pressure of the eye is checked with a gentle puff of air to make sure the disease, glaucoma, is not present.
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Optomap Retinal Scanning
We are proud to be the only eye center North of Amarillo and one of only two centers in the upper Texas Panhandle that offer the Optomap Laser Scanning technology to our patients. We are now able to perform the most thorough exam ever with this technology. It is comfortable, convenient, and takes half a second for each eye. It does not take the place of dilation for everyone but it will enhance the dilated exam even more so for those it is performed on. The early detection of retinal problems is crucial so we recommend the Optomap to everyone, young and old.
Children
We highly recommend children having an exam by preschool age. Many times kids get to grade school and it is discovered that they have a vision problem but by then it is too late. If the problem is not fixed by age 6, usually it is permanent. Don't assume all is well. Though we can't be as thorough as on an adult, we still can examine children 3-4 years old.
Contact Lenses
We can fit contact lenses on people with near-sightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, those needing reading glasses, or with no prescription if you want to change your eye color. We provide complete, professional care from the initial exam and training to follow up visits after receiving the lenses. We can usually fit people the same day as their exam so they can wear their lenses home on their first visit.
Eyewear
We recommend the best products for our patient's needs first. We use the best labs, the best lenses and coatings, and the best frames possible. And we guarantee them. We now offer same day service on many plastic lens prescriptions if needed. We do also offer lower quality eyewear at a reasonable price for those on a tight budget. Our prices are often lower or the same as many opticals in Amarillo when comparing the same exact items.
We want you to have glasses that you will be proud of and enjoy wearing. Our opticians are trained to help you select frames that fit you well and look good on you. They can also adjust your eyewear so that they are the most comfortable. Frames are like cars and need a tune-up occasionally. Please feel free to come in any time to have your eyewear adjusted.
Laser Vision Correction
Most people with vision correction issues are wanting to know more about LASIK and whether it is right for them. Here is a brief description of the procedure;
A flap is surgically cut in the cornea and gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea into a flatter shape (this is much like a contact lens corrects vision by forming a new shape on the cornea). The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage. The healing process is quick and the discomfort level is quite low.
People will often say that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have improved vision in 24-48 hours. but it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, often continues to improve for some weeks, even months.
LASIK is not for everyone. People's eyes are different so even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it may not be the best course of treatment for you. If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to guide you in picking the right surgeon, procedure and laser appropriate for you.
After the procedure, we take great care to monitor your eyes and adjust your medication for the best possible results.
Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, Dry Eyes
Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office and our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art microscopes allow us to examine the front surface of the eye and facial areas around the eye for infection or injury. After assessing the extent of the injury or infection a treatment plan will be formulated and explained to you. Treatment may include medications and supportive care. Follow-up visits to monitor your recovery will be scheduled as needed.
Dry Eyes: Symptoms include scratchy eyes, burning, mild redness and gritty feeling eyes. Oral medications, reading, computer tasks and dry environments may aggravate marginally dry eyes. Dry eyes can be diagnosed by using dyes to observe tear patterns, evaluation of the amount of tears on the front of the eye and from review of your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears; eye drops for treating allergies; and/or punctal plugs inserted in the tear drainage canals.
Surgery Co-Management
For your convenience, Dr. Paul Munden, an Amarillo ophthalmologist, sees patients for specialized medical care in Dumas twice a month. We recommend him highly for cataract surgery, diabetic laser treatment, and for glaucoma treatment. Of course, we still gladly refer you to whoever you feel most comfortable with and prefer to see.
Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes
Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens gets too hazy, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects the vision to the extent that you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, we will recommend cataract surgery. Our office co-manages with cataract specialists that are proven experts in cataract surgery. Cataract surgery can provide you with a bright new world of vision.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.
Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a dilated retinal examination each year. Laser treatments have proven to slow the progression of retinal eye disease for many patients. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. We have the latest instruments used to detect changes in the back of the eye. If we discover advancing diabetic eye disease that can be treated or needs further evaluation, we will refer you for consultation and further testing to a board certified retinal specialist.
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