LET US ANSWER SOME OF YOUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!
Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions that we receive. If after reading them, you still have an unanswered question, please feel free to contact us, and we will be more than happy to provide you an answer. Who knows it might make it up on this web page.
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WHY SHOULD I COME TO A DOCTOR OF OPTOMETRY?
As optometrists, Doctors Sorensen and Sorensen are specifically trained in correcting your visual system to give you the best and most comfortable vision. In addition, both doctors are trained to diagnose and treat disorders of the eyes and the effect your health has on your eyes. Unfortunately, many diseases and disorders of the eye have no symptoms and early diagnosis is the key to preserving your vision.
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DO THE DOCTORS TREAT EYE INFECTIONS?
Yes. Both doctors are licensed to prescribe both topical and oral medications. Over the years optometry has changed from a profession that only prescribed glasses to a profession that also detects, monitors and treats eye diseases. If you are having any difficulty with your eyes whether it is vision, eye infections, or eye pain, please call us in order for us to provide the proper treatment. In most cases we will not prescribe medications over the phone, because it is important we are able to look at the structures of the eye to determine the cause of the infection which allows us to prescribe the proper treatment and give you the proper care.
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HOW LONG WILL MY EYE EXAM TAKE?
Most patients should plan to be at the office approximately one hour. We do everything possible to stay on schedule. In order for you to be ready for your testing at your scheduled appointment time, we ask our patients to arrive for their appointments as follows:
* New patients should arrive at least 10 minutes before their scheduled appointment time to complete the necessary paperwork. * Patients who have been at our office before are asked to arrive five minutes before their appointment time in order for your paperwork to be updated.
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WHY DO THE DOCTORS DILATE MY PUPILS?
A dilation is essential to view the entire eye to monitor for many diseases that may occur. Since the eye is an extension of the rest of your body, diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, tumors, and hundreds of other diseases may present in the eye as well. In recent years new retinal cameras have been developed to photograph better images of the eye without the eye being dilated. However, it has been found that these cameras are not a substitute for a dilation. Therefore, we will continue to dilate our patients to ensure we are not missing any diseases in your eyes.
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CAN I WEAR CONTACT LENSES?
Each patient must be evaluated initially. However, with the advancement of astigmatism and bifocal contact lenses the Doctors have much success in giving patients freedom from glasses by wearing contact lenses.
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WHAT IS ORTHOKERATOLOGY?
Gentle Vision Reshaping, or GVR, uses an FDA approved retainer contact lens worn at night and removed upon awakening to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and/or astigmatism in a non-surgical reversible method. Please refer to Gentle Vision Reshaping under Our Services to learn even more.
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AM I A CANDIDATE FOR REFRACTIVE SURGERY?
Each patient must have a thorough exam to establish if their refractive error and ocular health meet the requirements for the surgery. The Doctor will evaluate if you meet these requirements, educate you on the risks and benefits, refer you to a skilled surgeon, and closely monitor you after the surgery is performed.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY EYES EXAMINED?
Eye examinations should start at 6 months of age. During early childhood, eye examinations are performed approximately 2 years apart for patients without any eye conditions. After a child enters school, eye examinations should take place every year (or sooner if the doctor is monitoring a condition more closely). Of course if you notice a vision change sooner, you should contact us immediately.
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WHY DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY CONTACT LENSES EVALUATED YEARLY?
Contact lenses are medical devices that may cause harm to your eyes if not fitting properly. Although you are able to detect some problems that may be occurring with your lenses, lenses can often be causing harm to your eyes without you being aware of it. Therefore, to renew your contact lenses prescription, the doctor must fully evaluate your eye health, how your contact lenses are fitting, and review your care regimen to ensure you are able to continue wearing contact lenses.
