The personal experience and gentle care that Dr. Sally provides to her patients is second to none!
- Teresa R, St. Cloud

FAQ

Question: What is a routine eye exam?

Answer:

A routine eye exam involves much more than just checking for a change in your prescription. Dr. Sally will first talk with you about your health history then determine your prescription in the distance and up close, your focusing ability and the ability of your eyes to work together as a team. As your eye doctor, she determines your prescription for corrective lenses (just a glasses prescription at this point) and preforms various tests to check for any eye health problems.

She will also check the health of your eyes--inside and out--to look for eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and dry eyes. She can also look for certain systemic diseases that may affect your eyes like diabetes and high blood pressure and will do special tests to find and monitor other eye diseases as indicated. The last part of the exam is where Dr. Sally will very carefully explain all of the findings to you and encourage you to ask questions about your eyes and your vision.

Question: What do I need to bring with me to my appointment?

Answer:

A list of your prescription and over-the-counter medications

Any eye drops you are currently using

All glasses you wear on a regular basis

Your contact lenses, case and solution

Insurance card if we are billing your insurance for you

Payment for the exam and/or contact lens fitting if not covered by your insurance

A list of questions for Dr. Sally

Question: Do I need to arrive before my scheduled appointment time?

Answer:

We ask that you arrive at least five minutes before your appointment time in order to fill out paperwork, discuss your insurance and ask any questions you may have for the staff. This will help Dr. Sally stay on time for the appointments scheduled after yours.

Question: What is a contact lens fitting and why do I need this if I already wear contacts?

Answer:

Certain additional tests and measurements are taken to ensure proper fitting and tolerance of lenses. This exam takes place each time a patient comes in for their REE to make sure their eyes are continuing to tolerate lens wear and show no negative effects from the lenses. Follow-up visits are included to confirm the fit and safety of the lenses.

Question: What is myopia?

Answer:

Myopia is also referred to as "nearsightedness" and is a condition in which distant objects appear blurry and out of focus, while close objects remain in relative focus.

Question: What is hyperopia?

Answer:

Often referred to as "Farsightedness," Hyperopia is when closer objects appear out of focus, while distant objects are clearly visible.

Question: What is presbyopia?

Answer:

Presbyopia is sometimes called "old eyes" and is a condition that arises when the crystalline lens of the eye begins to lose its flexibility and becomes more rigid, making it difficult to bring close objects into focus. Presbyopia typically becomes noticeable around the age of 40 and is not considered to be a disease, but a natural part of the aging process.

Question: What is astigmatism?

Answer:

Astigmatism is a common condition where the cornea is shaped irregularly and causes distorted vision. When someone has astigmatism the curvature of the front of the eye is not round, but shaped like a football.

Question: What is a retinal detachment?

Answer:

This is when the retina pulls away from the inner portion of the eye. It loses its source of nourishment and begins to atrophy. Symptoms of retinal detachment include an increase in floaters, flashes and "spiderweb" vision. This is considered an ocular emergency because, if untreated, it will result in permanent loss of vision.