How long will my appointment take?

Please allow about one hour for your office visit.  You are welcome to stay as long as you like to select your new glasses, but the office visit is usually finished in about one hour.

Will my eyes be dilated at my visit?

Our doctors believe that pupil dilation is an important part of every comprehensive eye exam.  Routine pupil dilation is considered the standard of care for a thorough eye exam.  Without dilating the pupils, your doctor is not able to evaluate the health of the back of the eye.  Pupil dilation allows your doctor to inspect your entire retina, the optic nerves, macula, and the blood vessels.  In some cases, the dilating drops can also help the doctor obtain a more accurate prescription for your news glasses.   If you are trying new contact lenses, your doctor may delay your dilation to your follow-up visit.

Do I have to have my pupils dilated?

We believe dilation is an important part of your exam.  But we also understand and respect your desire to make informed decisions about your own healthcare.  Sometimes you may need an exam, but dilation might not fit into your plans.  We understand.  The most important thing is that our patients understand the benefits and risks of not being dilated.  At your visit, you may choose not to be dilated.

How will pupil dilation affect my vision?

For most patients, pupil dilation does not affect your distance vision.  In the vast majority of patients, it is safe to drive home after being dilated.  Your doctor will warn you during your exam if the dilation could affect your ability to drive.  For most patients, simply wearing their normal glasses or contacts lenses after their exam will allow them to see fine in the distance.  Pupil dilation will make your near  vision very blurry for 3-4 hours.  Using a computer or reading a book or magazine may be very difficult after your exam.  Most patients are also very light sensitive after being dilated.  Our office can provide you with disposable sunglasses at the end of the exam if you should need them.

What is the difference between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist?

Doctors of Optometry are the primary eye care doctors for America.  Optometrists perform more eye exams each year than ophthalmologists.  Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have completed a surgical residency.  Optometrists are specialists in vision.  Your optometrist completed four years of post-graduate training in optics.  Our doctors are also licensed and have advanced training to treat ocular disease including glaucoma.  Our staff works closely with local ophthalmologists for those patients with severe eye disease or for patients who require surgery.  In general, the main difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists is that doctors of optometry do not perform surgery. 

Will your office file my insurance claim?

Yes!  If our doctors are an in-network provider for your plan, then we will handle all of the paperwork for you.  But we'll do even more than that!  You will receive an in-office credit in our optical for the amount of coverage that your plan provides.  We will verify your eligibility and coverage amounts prior to your eye exam.  If, for example, you have coverage for a $130 spectacle frame, then that amount will be credited to your account on the day of your exam.  If you should pick a frame the exceeds your frame allowance, you will only pay the difference, or overage on your frame.

As a new patient, will I need to complete paperwork at my visit?

Not really.  We will take all the necessary information from you over the phone when you call to schedule.  When you arrive on the date of your visit, we will ask you to read and sign our office policies and our HIPAA privacy notice.  That's it!

Is it safe to sleep in contact lenses?

In general, extended wear contact lenses are safe if your contact lenses are approved by the FDA for overnight wear.  Two lenses, Focus Night and Day and Pure Vision, are approved by the FDA for 30 days and nights in a row.  These two lenses are made of a new material called silicone hydrogel.  You should speak with your doctor before sleeping overnight in a contact lens.  Sleeping in any contact lens may put you at higher risk for a sight threatening eye infection.  Some older contact lenses are not a safe option for extended wear and that's why you should only sleep in a contact lens with your doctor's approval.

Am I a good candidate for LASIK?

Most patients are good candidates for LASIK, but you need an eye exam to know for sure.  In general, your eyes must be healthy prior to LASIK.  Patients with dry eyes prior to LASIK are usually not good candidates.  LASIK is not recommended for some patients with extremely high prescriptions, very thin corneas, or corneal irregularities.  Two tests than can determine if you are a candidate are called pachymetry (corneal thickness measurement) and topography (corneal mapping).  It is important to consider what your goals and expectations are prior to having LASIK done.  Not every patient achieves perfect vision after LASIK and 1-2% of patients can have some complications or medical problems after surgery.  Schedule a free LASIK consultation with our office to discuss LASIK with one of our doctors.

Can I have LASIK at your office?

Our doctors are trained and experienced in treating and co-managing LASIK patients before and after surgery.  Our doctors do not perform LASIK surgery.  However, we know the doctors who do, and that's important for you.  If you are ready for LASIK, then you need someone who can help you pick the right surgeon.  Our office does not have any formal alliance or partnership with any particular surgeon.  Instead, we work with many of the area's top ophthalmologists.  We will help you pick the surgeon that is best for your needs.  You can travel to Cleveland, Independence, Ashland, Tallmadge or Canton for your surgery, and then receive all of your follow-up care close to home.  There is no extra charge to have your procedure done through our office.  Your follow-up care will simply be deducted from your surgical fees and paid to our office instead.  LAISK follow-up care includes one year of post-operative care.