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What is fungal keratitis or Fusarium infection?
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Fungal keratitis has been in the news recently because though extremely rare, 109 cases have been reported in the US since June 2005. Fungal keratitis is a severe infection of the cornea that often effects contact lens wearers. Symptoms include blurry vision, significant redness, pain, watering and light sensitivity. Please see our Fungal Keratitis information sheet for further information.
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How often should I have my eyes examined?
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It is recommended to have an eye examination every one to two years for individuals with healthy eyes who are not considered high-risk for eye disease. If you wear contact lenses, or if you have diabetes, hypertension, or are otherwise at risk for eye disease, you need to have your eyes examined annually.
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My vision seems just fine to me. Do I still need an eye exam?
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Absolutely. Many eye diseases have no symptoms in the early stages and the key to proper management is early diagnosis.
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How old does my child need to be to have their first eye exam?
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hildren of all ages need to have their eyes examined. Children as young as 6 months old should be examined by an eye care professional, and every two years thereafter. School-aged children should have their eyes examined every year.
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What are your office hours?
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Our office hours are:
- Monday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Tuesday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Thursday 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Saturday 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Our office is closed Wednesday and Sunday.
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What should I do if I have a medical eye emergency when you are closed?
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One of our doctors is on call 24 hours a day. You can page them at (508) 492-4712. Enter your phone number with area code and press #. You will be called back within one hour. Alternatively, you may call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
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What is the difference between Glaucoma and Cataracts?
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Cataract is a condition which causes the natural lens inside the eye to become cloudy, yellow, or brown. This decreases your ability to see clearly. Early on, treatment may consist of changing eyeglasses prescriptions and periodic monitoring. Surgical removal of the cataract may eventually be necessary.
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the internal pressure in your eyes increases enough to damage the nerve fibers in your optic nerve and cause vision loss. The increase in pressure happens when the passages that normally allow fluid in your eyes to drain become clogged or blocked. The reasons that the passages become blocked are not always known. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored. The most common type of glaucoma develops gradually and painlessly, without symptoms. The treatment for glaucoma includes prescription eye drops to lower the pressure in your eyes. In some cases, laser treatment or surgery may be effective in reducing pressure.
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What is a retinal detachment and what are the signs?
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The retina is a thin layer that lines the inside back portion of the eye. It receives light which the brain converts into the images that you see. It is like the film in a camera. If the edges of the retina become thin, torn, or develop holes, a retinal detachment could occur at any time. The symptoms include a sudden onset of floaters (typically many of them), flashing light bursts which typically occur off to the side, and a persistent veil or shade blocking part of the vision. Call immediately if you have any of these symptoms, even “after-hours”.
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