Comprehensive Eye Examination at Armstrong Optometry
At Armstrong Optometry, we offer a thorough and personalized Comprehensive Eye Examination designed to assess your vision and overall eye health. Whether you’re looking to update your prescription or ensure your eyes are in optimal health, our team of experienced optometrists uses the latest technology to provide you with the best care possible. Here’s what you can expect during your exam:
- Vision Assessment
Our vision assessment begins an evaluation of your eyesight to determine the best prescription for correcting conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and presbyopia (age-related difficulty seeing up close). We will also assess your binocular vision, to diagnose and treat any eye alignment issues.
We’ll work with you to ensure your prescription gives you the clearest, most comfortable vision possible for all your visual needs.
- Comprehensive Eye Health Evaluation
Your eye health is just as important as your vision. During the comprehensive eye health evaluation, our optometrists will check for common eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy, and dry eyes. Detecting these conditions early is key to managing and treating them effectively, and we will do that with advanced imaging technologies and expertise. For contact lens wearers this includes assessing and addressing impacts that contact lens wear has on eye health and vision. Our team is here to ensure your eyes remain healthy for years to come.
- Eyewear Consultation
Once we’ve assessed your vision and eye health, we’ll move on to an eyewear consultation. Whether you need new glasses or contacts, our optical experts will help you choose the best eyewear solution for your lifestyle needs. From expert frame styling advice to understanding multifocal lens technologies and features like anti-reflective coatings, blue light filters, and UV protection, we’ll guide you in making an informed decision about your eyewear.
Our optometrists and opticians are also available to assist with contact lens fittings, offering the best designs based on your eye shape, prescription, and lifestyle.
Modern Technology
We utilize EIDON retinal imaging as part of every comprehensive eye exam. The EIDON retinal camera is a state-of-the-art imaging technology which provides a wide-field, high-definition photo of the retina. This helps us diagnose and monitor eye diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma, as well as complications of diabetes and high blood pressure. The images are saved as a permanent part of your record, allowing us to compare the images year to year and detect any changes.
Visual field testing is available for assessing your peripheral vision for driver’s exams, glaucoma testing, and neurological vision loss assessments.
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is an advanced imaging technology that provides high-resolution, cross-sectional images of the eye. Using light waves, OCT imaging allows our optometrists to visualize the layers of the retina and optic nerve in detail. This non-invasive technology is crucial for diagnosing and monitoring a variety of eye diseases, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal conditions. OCT helps in detecting early signs of disease before symptoms appear, enabling earlier intervention and more effective treatment. With its precision and speed, our doctors will use the OCT to track disease progression and guide treatment decisions.
Dilation Information
During your comprehensive eye exam, we may use dilation drops to enlarge your pupils, allowing us to thoroughly examine the internal structures of your eyes. These drops will make your vision more light sensitive for about two to four hours after instillation, and they may make your up-close focus temporarily blurry. Most patients are comfortable driving with dilated pupils, using sunglasses for the light sensitivity (a disposable pair will be provided if you forget to bring your own), or you can plan to bring a driver.
Dry Eye Treatment at Armstrong Optometry
If you’re experiencing dryness, discomfort, or irritation in your eyes, you may be suffering from dry eye disease. At Armstrong Optometry, we offer comprehensive >Dry Eye Treatment Appointments designed to assess the underlying causes of your dry eyes and provide personalized, effective solutions. Using advanced technology and a combination of in-office treatments, we can address your symptoms and improve your eye comfort and health.
What to Expect During Your Dry Eye Treatment Appointment
Our dry eye treatment appointments are thorough and tailored to meet the specific needs of your eyes. Here’s what you can expect during your visit:
- Advanced Imaging and Assessment
We begin by using slit-lamp imaging to analyze your tear film and corneal surface. This allows us to identify any irregularities, such as poor tear quality or inflammation, which may be contributing to your dry eye symptoms. We also use infrared imaging to assess the health and function of your meibomian glands—the glands in your eyelids responsible for producing the oily layer of your tears. This is a key step in understanding how well your glands are functioning and whether blocked glands are contributing to your dryness.
- Thermal Compress Treatment
One of the most effective ways to address dry eyes caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is through thermal compress treatment. This therapy gently applies heat to the eyelids, helping to soften and liquefy the thickened oils that are blocking the meibomian glands. This allows the glands to release the oils needed for healthy tear production, improving your tear film and reducing dryness.
- Manual Meibomian Gland Expression
Following the thermal compress treatment, our optometrists perform manual meibomian gland expression. This process involves gently pressing the eyelids to express the built-up oils from the meibomian glands. By clearing these blockages, we improve the quality of your tears and relieve symptoms of dry eye disease. This step is especially helpful for patients with chronic meibomian gland dysfunction.
- ZEST Treatment for Eyelid Hygiene and Blepharitis Management
If you suffer from blepharitis or inflammation of the eyelids, we incorporate ZEST treatment (Zocular Eyelid System) as part of your appointment. This treatment provides a deep cleaning of the eyelids, removing debris, bacteria, and oils that contribute to eyelid inflammation and dry eye symptoms. ZEST is an effective way to manage and reduce blepharitis, one of the common causes of persistent dry eye.
- Personalized Treatment Plan
Once we’ve completed your in-office treatments, our optometrist will provide a personalized treatment plan for ongoing at-home care. This plan may include recommendations for lubricating eye drops, prescription treatments, nutritional supplementation, or lifestyle changes to help support your eye health. We may also recommend eyelid hygiene routines, including the use of warm compresses or specific cleansers to maintain eyelid health and support tear production.
- Follow-Up Care
Dry eye treatment is an ongoing process. We will plan follow-up visits to monitor your progress and make any necessary modifications to your unique home treatment regimen, providing a cooperative approach to your eyecare. Our team will work with you to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as necessary over the next three to six months. Repeat Dry Eye Treatment Sessions are often needed every six to twelve months, depending on the severity of dry eyes and adherence to home treatment plans.
Mediworks S390L Firefly WDR Digital Anterior Segment and Meibography Slit Lamp
The Firefly Slit Lamp is a dry eye diagnostic and analyzer tool that provides detailed evaluations of factors that contribute to your dry eye symptoms, including ocular surface inflammation, tear film stability, non-invasive tear breakup time, eye redness, tear meniscus height, demodex, and abortive blinking. It captures meibography images with infrared technology to visualize the morphology of the meibomian glands, helping our doctors track any gland damage or loss over time.