|
|
 |
Quality Services |
Examinations |
Examinations are provided by a combination of the doctor and the paraoptometric assistants. We use the latest in computer and laser instruments to ensure the best result. The examination will vary from patient to patient depending on the health of the individual and their visual needs. Typically it may include:Medical History
Measurement of visual acuity
Pupil dilation (to evaluate the back part of the eyes)
Intraocular pressure (Glaucoma)
Blood pressure
Visual field test
Analysis
Diagnosis
Prescription (lenses or medicine)
Prognosis
Digital Retinal Photography Now Available. At Crystal Eyecare, we offer the latest technology in retinal camera system. You can now have the back of your eyes examined without the need for dilation drops!
|
|
| |
Optical Frames Dispensary |
Crystal Eyecare specializes in high quality eyewear, from designer names to the most technologically advanced materials. Our optical laboratory has the latest in equipment to not only fabricate your glasses but to maintain and repair them should they become broken or damaged. We are able to tint coat harden and edge spectacle lenses. We are able to provide you with any frame or lens design available. We have over 800 frames in stock. Our highly qualified opticians and staff are able to adjust and fit your glasses to you for extended comfort and vision. We have eyeglasses available to fit all budgets.
- Flexon - Coach - Nike - Marchon Airlocks - Fendi - Gucci - Armani - Ninewest - Cazal - Caviar - Neostyle - BCBG - Disney - X-games - Guess - Magic clips - Michael Kors - Anne Klein - Versace - Maui Jim - Tattoo - Nautica - plus others.
For ophthalmic lenses, we offer two of the leading brands including the Varilux family of lenses with Crizal Anti-reflective technology and the Carl Zeiss family of lenses with Teflon Anti-reflective technology. We also carry Transitions lenses which are the ones that darken to sunshades when you are in the sun and clear up while indoors.
|
|
| |
Contact Lenses |
We prescribe and evaluate all major brands of soft and rigid contact lenses. In most cases, you will receive a pair of contact lenses the same day. Additionally, we prescribe custom designed contact lenses for special needs as well as special eye problems. Specialized fitting may include Monovision, Bifocal contact lenses, astigmatism contacts, Ortho K, and Keratoconus. Our staff is able to answer many of your questions and is available for ongoing contact lens instruction and training.
Interested in contact lenses to improve athletic performances? We offer the Nike Maxsight sports-tinted contact lenses to help you get the edge on the competition. Ask us for details!
|
| |
The Dry Eye Tear Test |
The Dry Eye Tear Test measures the quality of your tear film by measuring the lactoferrin and IgE levels in your eye. Lactoferrin is an important protein in the eye and has been proven in clinical studies to be an indicator of both dry eye and overall ocular health. IgE is a byproduct of allergic reaction in the eye and will help your doctor determine if your dry eye is caused by allergy. Tear chemistry is the most accurate and advanced method to determine the exact disease state of patients with Dry Eye.
Is the Test Right for me? If you experience symptoms associated with Dry Eye you may be a candidate for the test. If left untreated Dry Eye symptoms can often continue to intensify. If you are unsure about your dry eye symptoms ask your physician or eye care specialist if the test is right for you. Common dry eye symptoms include:
- Redness
- Dry Eye Feeling
- Mucous or Discharge
- Sandy/Gritty Feeling
- Foreign Body Sensation
- Itching or Burning
- Allergies
- Constant Tearing
- Blurred Vision
- Eye Pain/Soreness
- Sties
- Chronic Infection of Eye or Lid
- Contact lens discomfort
- Contact Lens Solution Sensitivity
- "Tired" Eyes
- Watery Eyes
|
| |
What Causes Dry Eye? |
Some of the underlying causes of Dry Eye can include the following:
Environmental Factors
Smoke, air pollution and/or sunny, windy, cold or dry air conditions.
Contact Lenses
Contact lens wear can promote the detrimental effect of increased tear evaporation resulting in general discomfort, infection, and/or increased protein deposits.
Age
Tear production usually decreases with age and research has shown more than half of individuals over age 65 suffer from mild to moderate dry eye.
Medications and Conditions
There are several conditions—Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren’s Disease and Menopause— and medications which can lower your ability to produce tears.
Hormone Changes
Changes in hormone levels associated with pregnancy, oral contraceptives and menopause can contribute to dry eye.
|
| |
Testing Tears Before and After LASIK |
Measuring the lactoferrin and Ige levels in your eyes prior to LASIK surgery is a valuable tool for your doctor. Laser surgery is performed on the cornea of your eye. The cornea receives a majority of its nutrition from your tear film. Thus, how well the cornea heals after surgery is dependent on the overall health of your tear film.
It is important to have both lactoferrin and Ige levels measured prior to surgery. This will ensure that your tear film is as healthy as possible prior to performing surgery. If your tests are positive for either dry eye or allergy your doctor can prescribe a course of therapy prior to surgery to alleviate your dry eye symptoms and/or allergy. By improving the dry eye or allergic conditions prior to surgery we improve the healing conditions within the eye and reduce the chance of post surgical complications.
If your exam shows that your tear film is reduced, your doctor may recommend punctual plugs as a method for enhancing your tear film. Punctal plugs are a way of plugging the tear drainage system so that your own natural tears stay on your cornea longer. Punctal plugs can increase the tear film quantity and have been clinically proven to elevate lactoferrin levels in the eye.
Ask your doctor about performing a tear chemistry analysis prior to your LASIK surgery.
|
| |
Laser Vision Correction |
Everyone is talking about LASIK. Here is a brief description of the procedure.
A flap is cut in the cornea and then the flap is gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea, much like a contact lens forms a new shape on the cornea, only the laser is permanent. The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage.
The "Wow!" effect of Lasik is the very rapid recovery of vision and the decreased level of discomfort post-operatively. You hear from people that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have functional vision in 24-48 hours, although this is true in some cases, it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, continues to improve for some weeks, even months.
Everyones eyes are different. Even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it does not mean it is right 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. For many of you who are long-term contact lens wearers my pre-operative input can make the difference between an excellent result and a mediocre one.
Post-operatively we can monitor your eyes, and taper medications to arrive at the best possible result. After all, no one knows your eyes better than your optometrist.
|
| |
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.
|
| |
Low Vision Services |
People who have lost eyesight due to injuries or eye disease need special types of products to help them function as independently as possible. We offer a full range of these products through our office. They range all the way from a simple hand magnifier to a closed circuit TV system.
In addition, we can direct those who have low vision problems to products that will help them carry on the day-to-day tasks that they need to perform. In some cases we can set up a program for the low vision patient with the National Library of Congress to receive "books on tapes", which is a service for the blind.
|
| |
|
 |
|
