Primary Eye Care

An optometrist completes optometry school and provides primary eye care, including exams, prescriptions, and treatment of common conditions. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor with additional residency training in eye disease and surgery. Both can manage routine care, but ophthalmologists are also qualified to perform surgery and manage complex disease. Our physician-led team combines both levels of expertise.

It depends on the type of insurance you have and the reason for your visit. Medical eye exams related to a diagnosed condition or specific symptoms are often covered under health insurance, while routine vision exams are typically handled by a separate vision plan. We work with most major plans and can verify your coverage before your appointment so there are no surprises.

While some advanced imaging can supplement what we see without dilation, a dilated exam still provides the most thorough view of the retina and optic nerve. Declining it at every visit can mean early signs of retinal disease, diabetic changes, or optic nerve damage go undetected longer than necessary. If timing is a concern, let us know and we can help you plan around your schedule.

Yes, and starting early is important. Vision problems that go undetected in childhood can affect learning and development and, in some cases, become harder to treat over time. We recommend a first comprehensive exam around age three, again before starting school, and then regularly through the school years. If a child squints, sits too close to screens, or complains of headaches, an earlier exam is a good idea.

Treat any sudden change in vision as potentially urgent rather than something to wait on. This includes new floaters or flashes, loss of peripheral vision, blurring that comes on quickly, or eye pain that does not resolve on its own. Contact our office right away to describe your symptoms, and we will advise whether you need to be seen the same day or go to an emergency facility.