If I am told to use my medications two and four times a day, when should I use them?
Twice a day medications should be used roughly 12 hours apart, such as before breakfast and after dinner. Four times a day medication should be spread out, such as at breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime.

How long do I have to wait between drops?
You should wait 5 minutes between drops to avoid washing out the previous eye drop.

Can I use all my drops at the same time?
Yes, but you should wait 5 minutes between drops

What happens if my medication runs out before my next visit?
You can call our office or e-mail us with your request. Please note that we cannot refill your medication for a chronic eye disease if we have not evaluated your condition within the past year.

Why do I need to take glaucoma tests every year?
Diagnostic test for chronic disease such as glaucoma require careful monitoring of the disease. Since we cannot cure the disease, the only treatment is to slow down the progression of the disease. These tests help us diagnose and monitor the stability of the disease and determine whether your medications need any adjustments.

What should I expect on the day of my visit?
After filling out appropriate paperwork, you will have a preliminary workup by a trained certified ophthalmic technician. If you are coming for a complete eye exam, a specific referral evaluation of an eye disease, or a more in depth evaluation, expect your eyes to be dilated and to be at the office for at least one hour. If you are coming in for a glaucoma pressure check, short follow up visit or other uncomplicated problems, you will probably be at the office for a shorter time. If you are a contact lens wearer, be prepare to remove the contact lens and wear spectacles during the visit. Some patients like to bring a pair of sunglasses as the dilation causes light sensitivity. Bring a list of all your eye medications, list of oral medications, and all necessary insurance cards and information.

Why do I need to have my eyes dilated during the examination?
The pupil is the dark circular opening in the center of the iris of the eye which controls the amount of light entering the eye. The pupil becomes smaller when we shine a light into the eye to look inside. Eye drops are used to make the pupil larger, so your eye doctor can look inside the eye and exam all of the structures. Your doctor will be able to fully examine the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels inside of the eye when the pupil is dilated. This examination allows your doctor to detect any disorders or diseases of the eye as well as some manifestations of systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. The dilating drops will make your vision a little blurry and lights seem brighter. If you do not feel comfortable driving with your eyes dilated, please bring someone who can drive you to and from the appointment.

How often do I need my eyes examine?
If there are no eye or vision problems, complaints or family history of eye disease, a common routine eye exam schedule is as follows:
Newborn: By a pediatrician, family doctor, or eye doctor
Pre-school: By a pediatrician, family doctor, or eye doctor
Pre-teen: By a pediatrician, family doctor, or eye doctor
20-39 years of age: At least once during this period. African Americans, because of greater risk for glaucoma, and patients with family history of serious ocular diseases, should be seen every 2-3 years.
40-64 years of age: Every 2 to 4 years.
65 years or older: Every 1 to 2 years.

If my parents have Macular degeneration, Cataract and Glaucoma, will I have similar eye problems?
Although these ocular diseases are more prevalent amongst family members, there is no way to predict who will develop the disease. Often the siblings or the children of an affected family member will never develop these diseases. Scientific and genetic research may enable us to make better prediction and risk assessment in the future, but we are still far away from those goals. Therefore, it is important that you periodically monitor your eyes for any potential serious ocular conditions which runs in your family.

What is difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist and an optician?
An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) and surgeon who specialize in eye diseases and vision care. Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine specializing in the anatomy, function and diseases of the eye. Ophthalmologists are specially trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care, from prescribing glasses and contact lenses to complex and delicate eye surgery. Many ophthalmologists are also involved in scientific research into the causes and cures for eye diseases and vision problems. Ophthalmologists attend four years of medical school and one year of internship, and then spend a minimum of three years of residency (hospital-based training) in ophthalmology. During residency, ophthalmologists receive special training in all aspects of eye care, including prevention, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions and diseases. Often, an ophthalmologist spends an additional one to two years training in a subspecialty, that is, a specific area of eye care (for example, retinal diseases, glaucoma or pediatric ophthalmology.) Most ophthalmologists are board certified. A board certified ophthalmologist has passed a rigorous two-part examination given by the American Board of Ophthalmology designed to assess his/her knowledge, experience and skills. Ophthalmologists are required to be board re-certified every 10 years.

An Optometrist is an independent primary health care provider who examines, diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures. Among the services optometrists provide are prescribing glasses and contact lenses, rehabilitating the visually impaired, and diagnosing and treating ocular diseases. Professional Optometric Degree programs are courses of study leading to a doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Doctors of Optometry must successfully complete a four-year accredited degree program at one of the schools or colleges of optometry. Most students accepted by a school or college of optometry have completed an undergraduate degree. In order to practice optometry, you must be state licensed. All states require graduation from an accredited professional optometric degree program as a prerequisite for licensure. In most states the written examination has been replaced with the examinations that are given during the student's academic career by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.

An Optician is a professional who fits and dispenses eyewear directly to the consumer. They analyze and interpret prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists to determine which eyeglasses are best suited to the patient's lifestyle and visual needs. The optician takes eye measurements to insure proper lens placement in the eyeglasses' frame and verifies the accuracy of the finished product. He/she also may manufacture (grind) lenses from raw materials and cut them to fit into the frame. Opticians may hold an associate optician degree or may have apprenticed for a required number of hours. In most states that require an optician to be licensed, candidates must pass an examination given by the American Board of Optician (ABO). Some states also require that candidates pass a state board exam.