Primary Eye Care and General Ophthalmology

A thorough eye examination at ReFocus Eye Health Bloomfield (NW) includes multiple components designed to assess both your vision and your eye health. The exam begins with a detailed patient and family health history, followed by visual acuity testing using standardized eye charts at various distances. We perform refraction testing to determine your precise prescription for glasses or contact lenses, and we measure your eye alignment, focusing ability, and eye movement coordination. Preliminary tests evaluate your depth perception, color vision, peripheral vision, and how your pupils respond to light. We measure intraocular pressure to screen for glaucoma, and we conduct a dilated eye exam to thoroughly examine your retina, macula, optic nerve, and blood vessels. Advanced imaging technologies like optical coherence tomography and fundus photography provide detailed views of internal eye structures, allowing us to detect disease at its earliest stages.

Children's eyes are different from adult eyes, and our pediatric eye exams are specifically designed to evaluate visual development during critical growth stages. We assess for conditions like amblyopia, strabismus, refractive errors, and focusing problems that can interfere with learning and development. Early detection and treatment of these conditions during childhood, when the visual system is still developing, can prevent permanent vision loss and ensure your child develops normal binocular vision and depth perception. We use age-appropriate techniques and take the time to make children feel comfortable during their examination.

A contact lens exam goes beyond a standard eye exam by evaluating the health of your corneal surface, measuring the curvature and size of your cornea, and assessing your tear film quality. We determine the best lens type for your eye shape and lifestyle, whether that means soft daily disposables, toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocal lenses for presbyopia, or specialty lenses for irregular corneas. Proper fitting is essential for comfort, clear vision, and eye health. We also provide hands-on training for new contact lens wearers and comprehensive education on proper lens care and hygiene to prevent infections.

If you have diabetes, annual dilated eye exams are critical for protecting your vision. Diabetic retinopathy can develop without symptoms in its early stages, making regular screening essential. Our comprehensive diabetic eye exams use advanced retinal imaging to detect microaneurysms, hemorrhages, exudates, and other early signs of diabetic damage to retinal blood vessels. We also screen for diabetic macular edema, which can cause rapid vision loss if untreated. Coordinated care with your primary care physician and endocrinologist ensures comprehensive management of your diabetes and its effects on your eyes.

As we age, the eyes undergo natural changes that can affect vision and increase disease risk. Our age-related eye exams focus on detecting and managing presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other conditions common in older adults. We carefully monitor the optic nerve for glaucomatous damage, assess the macula for early signs of degeneration, and evaluate lens clarity to determine when cataract surgery may improve your quality of life. Regular monitoring allows us to track changes over time and intervene at the optimal moment to preserve your vision.

A proper contact lens fit is essential for comfort, clear vision, and eye health. During your contact lens evaluation, we measure the curvature and diameter of your cornea, assess your tear film quality and quantity, and examine the health of your corneal surface. Based on these measurements and your lifestyle needs, we determine the best lens type for you. Options include soft daily disposable lenses for convenience and hygiene, soft two-week or monthly lenses for cost-effectiveness, toric lenses to correct astigmatism, multifocal lenses to address presbyopia, rigid gas permeable lenses for crisp vision, and specialty lenses like scleral lenses for irregular corneas or severe dry eye. We then have you try the lenses in the office to ensure proper fit, adequate movement, and clear vision before you leave.

New contact lens wearers receive detailed hands-on training on how to properly insert, remove, and handle their lenses. We teach you the correct cleaning and storage procedures for your specific lens type, emphasizing that proper hygiene is the single most important factor in preventing eye infections and complications. Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching your lenses, replace your contact lens case every three months to prevent bacterial contamination, never use tap water with contacts as it can introduce harmful microorganisms, and never sleep in lenses unless they are specifically approved for extended wear. If your eyes become red, painful, or your vision changes while wearing contacts, remove them immediately and contact our office.

Even if your vision seems stable and your lenses feel comfortable, annual follow-up exams are essential for contact lens wearers. These visits allow us to check your corneal health, ensure your lenses still fit properly as your eyes change, verify your prescription is still accurate, and screen for complications like corneal hypoxia, neovascularization, or giant papillary conjunctivitis. We also review your wearing schedule and hygiene practices to reinforce good habits. Skipping these annual exams puts your eye health at risk and may cause your contact lens prescription to expire.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who completed medical school followed by specialized residency training in eye care and surgery. Ophthalmologists can perform eye surgery, treat complex eye diseases, and provide comprehensive medical eye care. An optometrist is a doctor of optometry who completed four years of optometry school and specializes in primary eye care, including comprehensive eye exams, vision testing, prescribing glasses and contact lenses, and managing many common eye conditions. Both play important roles in eye health, and at ReFocus Eye Health Bloomfield (NW), our ophthalmologists and optometrists work together to provide seamless care. We refer patients within our practice or to specialists when advanced treatment is needed.

Pupil dilation uses special eye drops to temporarily widen your pupils, allowing us to see much more of the internal structures of your eyes. Through dilated pupils, we can thoroughly examine your retina, macula, optic nerve, and blood vessels for signs of disease like diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal tears or detachment, and glaucoma. Many serious eye conditions develop in the peripheral retina where we cannot see without dilation. While the drops cause temporary blurred vision and light sensitivity for a few hours, this comprehensive view is essential for protecting your eye health. If you know your pupils will be dilated, plan to bring sunglasses and arrange transportation if needed.

Sudden flashes of light or a shower of new floaters can be warning signs of a retinal tear or detachment, which are true eye emergencies. Floaters are tiny specks or cobweb-like shadows that drift across your vision, caused by clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear gel that fills your eye. While a few stable floaters are common and usually harmless, a sudden increase in floaters, especially accompanied by flashes of light or a shadow or curtain in your peripheral vision, requires urgent evaluation within 24 hours. These symptoms may indicate that the vitreous is pulling away from the retina and potentially causing a tear. If caught early, retinal tears can be treated with laser to prevent progression to retinal detachment, which can cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.

Children may not realize they have vision problems because they assume everyone sees the way they do. Warning signs that your child may need glasses include squinting or covering one eye, sitting too close to the television, holding books very close while reading, frequent headaches, avoiding reading or other close work, losing their place while reading, or struggling in school. Some children with vision problems also tilt their head or turn their face to use one eye preferentially. If you notice any of these signs, schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Even if your child shows no symptoms, regular eye exams are important for detecting vision problems that can interfere with learning and development.

Yes, toric contact lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing blurred or distorted vision at all distances. Toric lenses have different powers in different meridians of the lens and must be positioned correctly on the eye to work properly. Modern toric lenses stay in position well and provide excellent vision correction for most people with astigmatism. During your contact lens fitting, we will determine whether toric lenses are appropriate for your degree of astigmatism and ensure they fit properly and stay in the correct position.

Insurance coverage for eye care can be confusing because you may have both vision insurance and medical health insurance. Vision insurance typically covers routine eye exams for glasses and contact lenses, as well as discounts on eyewear. Your medical health insurance covers medical eye exams and treatment for eye diseases and conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, infections, and injuries. Depending on the reason for your visit, we will bill the appropriate insurance. We recommend bringing both your vision insurance card and your medical insurance card to every appointment to ensure proper coverage. Our staff can help you understand your benefits and coverage before your visit.

Over-the-counter reading glasses can be a convenient and affordable solution for people who only need help with near vision due to presbyopia and have no other eye problems. However, they have limitations. They provide the same power in both eyes, which may not be correct if your eyes have different prescriptions. They do not correct astigmatism. The optical quality and durability may be lower than prescription lenses. Most importantly, buying reading glasses without an eye exam means you miss the opportunity to have your eyes checked for diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. If you find yourself relying on reading glasses, schedule a comprehensive eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy and get a prescription customized to your specific needs.

Most people experience significant vision improvement within a few days of cataract surgery, though complete healing takes several weeks. Immediately after surgery, your vision will be blurry as your eye adjusts to the new intraocular lens. You will use prescription eye drops for several weeks to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. Most people can return to normal daily activities within a few days, but you should avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, bending over, and swimming for at least a week or as directed by your surgeon. Your vision continues to stabilize over the following weeks as your eye heals. We provide comprehensive post-operative care to monitor your healing and address any concerns. Most patients are thrilled with their improved vision and reduced dependence on glasses after cataract surgery.