The best way to ensure a lifetime of good vision is through regular, comprehensive eye examinations. In addition to ensuring proper eyesight, regular exams allow the early detection and treatment of diseases, improving the likelihood for successful treatment. Several eye diseases, such as glaucoma, show no symptoms in their beginning stages and can only be detected by a qualified examiner.

Not all eye examinations need be comprehensive. Some may be specifically formatted for the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of a specific complaint. Generally, a comprehensive examination takes about hour, depending upon the number and type of tests required.

Examination of cataract and recommendations for surgery.

A cataract is a cloudy area in the eye's lens that can cause vision problems. More than half of all Americans age 65 and older have a cataract. Cataracts are a normal part of aging; they usually develop over time and don't have to be removed immediately.

In the early stages, stronger lighting or a change in your glasses prescription may help. At a certain point, however, surgery may be needed to improve vision. Today, cataract surgery is safe and very effective.

Of all the fields of medicine, cataract surgery has been one of the greatest beneficiaries from advances in techniques and technology and has made extraordinary and exciting advances over the past few years. Last year, approximately 2.7 million Americans underwent this procedure.

Not so long ago, cataract surgery involved lengthy delays marked by deteriorating vision while the cataract "ripened," an extended and confining recovery period, plus the need for unsightly "cataract" glasses or contact lenses to achieve functional vision after surgery.

Now, the surgery is a simple, out-patient procedure. The stay at an ambulatory surgery center is just a few hours and recovery time after surgery is dramatically reduced. Many people enjoy improved vision with minimal dependence upon corrective eyewear.

Consultation for laser vision correction options.

LASIK is a procedure that covers a wide range of vision correction but many factors need to be considered when deciding to have LASIK. Even if your eyes are healthy and the vision has remained stable for years, Dr. Walker considers your goals very seriously prior to LASIK. Should these be largely achievable with the procedure, you are likely a candidate. Dr. Walker will question you about this in detail.
Expectations need to be realistic as well. No surgeon can guarantee 20/20 vision. Studies indicate that 93% of all patients achieve 20/40 vision or better following LASIK which would allow you to pass a drivers test without glasses. In our experience the majority of patients do achieve 20/20 and are very happy.

We do tell patients it is possible that a thin lens may be necessary to provide the sharpest vision after LASIK. This is necessary mainly in those who have such a slight residual refractive error that may not be correctable by an enhancement

Evaluation and recommendation of specific contact lens design.

Before contact lenses can be prescribed, a complete eye examination is required. No contact lens should be fitted without a thorough eye exam as a first step. The type of lens best suited for you should be the subject of a discussion between you and Dr. Walker. Dr. Walker will determine the strength of the lenses, and inspect your eyes and lids for possible allergies or infections. The curvature of the eye must be measured and other special tests may have to be performed.

Contact lenses, both hard and soft, are held in place by adhering to the film of tears that normally covers the front of your eye. A membrane that lines the front half of the eyeball and lines the underside of the eyelid makes it impossible for the contact lens to go behind the eye or to wander anywhere but under the lid.

After you are fitted, there may eye discomfort, but there should be no pain. As you become accustomed to the lenses, wearing time should increase and discomfort decrease until maximum wearing time is finally reached. This may take three to four days for soft lenses, and two to four weeks for hard lenses.

Some symptoms experienced during the adaptation period are tearing, blinking, sensitivity to light, head tilt, and a slight redness of the eye. All of these symptoms are temporary and should disappear by the end of the third week. If not, notify Dr. Walker.