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Comprehensive Eye Examinations
When we do eye exams, we refuse to cut corners. We always schedule ample time so you will never feel rushed. We provide complete eye care for both adults and children. Our comprehensive eye examinations check your eyes inside and out for glaucoma, cataracts and all other eye diseases as well as high blood pressure, diabetes and other systemic diseases. Your visual skills and abilities are carefully evaluated and we pride ourselves on the accuracy of our eyeglass prescriptions. In spite of our track record for highly accurate prescriptions, there are eyes that can be unstable for reasons ranging from medications to illness. In these rare cases, we will gladly re-examine the patient and remake the glasses.
Technology is rapidly changing the eye care industry. We utilize the latest in diagnostic equipment and are committed to keeping up with whatever advances will come next.
Contact Lenses
We have been fitting specialty contact lenses for years and have seen some incredible changes in that time. By far the most exciting changes have occurred in the last few years. Although rigid contact lenses are a shrinking segment of the industry, we still have a large number of patients who wear them.
The gas-permeable lens materials available today far surpass those available just a few years ago in terms of eye health and comfort.
Allergies can be particularly annoying to contact lens wearers. In the past many people had to quit wearing their lenses for a month or two during the allergy season. New lens materials and allergy medications have made it possible for these people to eliminate itchy eyes. These medications such as Patanol and Alocril are amazingly effective and safe even in children as young as three.
Optical Dispensing
Our optical laboratory has the latest in equipment to not only fabricate your glasses, but to maintain and repair them should they become broken or damaged. We are able to tint, coat, harden and edge spectacle lenses. We are able to provide you with any frame or lens design available. Our highly qualified optician and staff are able to adjust and fit your glasses to you for extended comfort and vision.
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Frames
- Designer Lines
- Safety Frames
- Sports Frames
- Children's Frames
- Sunglasses
- Spring Hinges
- Lightweight Space-age
Metals
- Large Selection
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Lens Features
- Thin, Lightweight Lenses
- Safety Lenses
- Polycarbonate Lenses
- Progressive Lenses
- Computer Lenses
- Sports Lenses
- Transition Lenses
- Special Tints
- Anti-Reflective Coatings
- Ultra-Violet Protection
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Laser Vision Correction
Most people with vision correction issues are wanting to know more about LASIK and whether it is right for them. Here is a brief description of the procedure.
A flap is surgically cut in the cornea and gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea into a flatter shape (this is much like a contact lens corrects vision by forming a new shape on the cornea). The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage. The healing process is quick and the discomfort level is quite low.
People will often say that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have improved vision in 24-48 hours, but it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, often continues to improve for some weeks, even months.
LASIK is not for everyone. People's eyes are different so even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it may not be the best course of treatment for you. If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to guide you in picking the right surgeon, procedure and laser appropriate for you.
After the procedure, our unsurpassed post-op care involves monitoring your eyes and adjust your medication for the best possible results.
Surgery Co-Management
Our office provides many of the surgical services such as Cataract surgery, Laser surgery, Refractive surgery and Strabismic surgery. We offer this in conjunction with the hospital and local eye surgeons.
Additionally, we have working arrangements established with other specialized eye care doctors to manage such things are retinal detachments, retinal tears and hemmorhages.
Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, Dry Eyes
Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office at 308-432-3222 during office hours or our emergency number; 308-432-4278 after hours or on weekends. Our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art microscopes allow us to examine the front surface of the eye and facial areas around the eye for infection or injury. After assessing the extent of the injury or infection a treatment plan will be formulated and explained to you. Treatment may include medications and supportive care. Follow-up visits to monitor your recovery will be scheduled as needed.
Dry Eyes: Symptoms include scratchy eyes, burning, mild redness and gritty feeling eyes. Oral medications, reading, computer tasks and dry environments may aggravate marginally dry eyes. Dry eyes can be diagnosed by using dyes to observe tear patterns, evaluation of the amount of tears on the front of the eye and from review of your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears; eye drops for treating allergies; and/or punctal plugs inserted in the tear drainage canals.
Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes
Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens gets too hazy, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects the vision to the extent that you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, we will recommend cataract surgery. Our office co-manages with cataract specialists that are proven experts in cataract surgery. Cataract surgery can provide you with a bright new world of vision.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.
Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a dilated retinal examination each year. Laser treatments have proven to slow the progression of retinal eye disease for many patients. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. We have the latest instruments used to detect changes in the back of the eye. If we discover advancing diabetic eye disease that can be treated or needs further evaluation, we will refer you for consultation and further testing to a board certified retinal specialist.
Low Vision Services
People who have lost eyesight due to injuries or eye disease need special types of products to help them function as independently as possible. We offer a full range of these products through our office. Our paraoptometric staff is trained to demonstrate the use of some of these devices. They range all the way from a simple hand magnifier to a closed circuit TV system.
In addition, we can direct those who have low vision problems to products that will help them carry on the day-to-day tasks that they need to perform. In some cases we can set up a program for the low vision patient with the National Library of Congress to receive "books on tapes", which is a service for the blind.
Vision Therapy
Seeing clearly is not enough. For many people, reading and hand-eye coordination tasks can be very difficult. The act of sight not only includes ones eyes, but it also includes the neurological activity that processes the visual information. Throwing a ball or skiing down a hill, is a learned activity; to do either well takes practice. Those who do it best are those who started learning at the earliest age. Sight plays an important role in the learning of these activities. Sight is the steering mechanism; it is the main activity that provides feedback regarding what really is happening. We provide Vision Therapy to help individuals learn how to process visual information and develop better hand-eye coordination skills.
Financial Policy
At Chadron Vision Center our goal is to provide outstanding value. One of the best ways to accomplish this goal is to require each of our patients to pay their account in full when services are rendered. We do accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover for your convenience. A minimum of half of the account must be paid before product can be ordered and the remaining balance is due at dispensing. Please remember that the contacts or glasses are custom made for your eyes so once orders are placed, they cannot be cancelled. If other arrangements are necessary, it is your responsibility to discuss this with the billing clerk prior to receiving services or products.
Insurance
Insurance is a contract between you and your insurance company. Although we will help in any way possible, it is your responsibility to understand your coverage. The Chadron, Gordon and Pine Ridge Vision Centers are providers for the following insurance programs: South Dakota Medicaid, Nebraska Medicaid, Medicare, Dakota Eye Care, Vision Service Plan, Midlands Choice, Intermountain, Corporate Plan Management Dakota (Housing) Authority and Corporate Benefits Service Association, (CBSA). In cases as mentioned above where the Chadron, Gordon and Pine Ridge Vision Centers participate as panel providers, you are required to pay as panel providers, all deductibles and non-covered charges at the time of ordering.
You may have excellent insurance that we have chosen not to participate with due to volume, reimbursement, or economics. With any insurance company we are happy to provide assistance and education, but it is your responsibility to pay for services and product if we are not contracted providers. Please call to our attention any program that you would like us to participate in, and we would be happy to have our insurance staff research the feasibility of participation.
We also accept Credit Cards, Cash, Checks (except Pine Ridge, cash, money orders, or credit cards only please). Half payment and balance upon dispense is encouraged, but we do allow the 2nd half to be placed on payments.
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