General Ophthalmology
Understanding General Ophthalmology
General ophthalmology provides complete care for your eyes and vision, covering everything from routine eye exams to medical treatment and surgical care for a wide range of eye conditions.
Our comprehensive approach covers all aspects of eye health care. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor trained to examine, diagnose, treat, and perform surgery for conditions that affect vision and eye health.
- Complete eye exams to check vision and eye health
- Early detection of eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts
- Treatment for common conditions like dry eyes and infections
- Management of eye problems related to diabetes and high blood pressure
- Prescription eyewear and contact lens services
- Preventive care to protect your vision long-term
- Coordination with pediatric eye specialists when children need specialized surgery or treatment
Everyone needs general eye care, regardless of age or current vision quality. Children benefit from early vision screenings that can catch problems affecting school performance. Adults need regular exams to monitor for age-related changes and diseases that develop without symptoms. Seniors require specialized care for conditions like cataracts and glaucoma that become more common with age.
Care typically includes routine exams, medical management of common conditions, urgent evaluations, and collaboration with subspecialists when needed. This approach helps ensure continuity, safety, and convenience for all your eye health needs.
Many serious eye diseases start without warning signs. Glaucoma, known as the silent thief of sight, can damage your vision before you notice any changes. Regular eye exams catch these problems early when treatment works best and establish baselines that guide future decisions. Prevention also includes protecting your eyes from UV light, maintaining good nutrition, and avoiding smoking.
When To Seek Eye Care
Some visits are preventive and scheduled, while others are prompted by symptoms or risk factors. Knowing when to come in helps protect vision and avoid emergencies.
Vision and eye health needs change with age, so exams should be periodic in childhood and young adulthood, include a comprehensive baseline around midlife, and generally become more frequent with age or risk factors.
- Children: vision screening in early childhood and periodic checks through school years
- Teens and young adults: periodic exams, especially for contact lens wearers
- Adults around 40: a comprehensive baseline exam to screen for early disease
- Seniors 65 and older: annual exams or as advised based on health and findings
If you have sudden vision loss, flashes of light, a shower of floaters, eye injury, or severe eye pain, call 860-432-6191 now. If after hours, go to the nearest emergency department. Seek prompt care for any sudden or concerning changes, as timely treatment can prevent permanent vision loss.
- Sudden vision loss or a noticeable shadow or curtain over vision
- New flashes of light or a shower of floaters
- Eye pain, severe light sensitivity, or a red, painful eye
- Double vision, especially with headache or other symptoms
- Chemical exposure, injury, or a foreign body in the eye
Certain medical histories and medications increase eye risk and warrant more frequent exams.
- Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea
- Family history of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or inherited eye disease
- High nearsightedness, prior eye surgery, or history of eye trauma
- Chronic steroid use or high-risk medications
Contact lenses are medical devices that require proper fit, hygiene, and follow-up to prevent complications. Redness, pain, light sensitivity, or decreased vision warrant urgent evaluation and lenses should be discontinued immediately.
Our Comprehensive Eye Services
At ReFocus Eye Health, we offer a full range of general ophthalmology services under one roof. From routine to surgical, tailored to you.
Our thorough eye exams go beyond just checking if you can see the eye chart clearly. We examine every part of your eye to assess your vision and overall eye health. A typical comprehensive eye exam takes about an hour and includes reviewing your medical history and any vision concerns.
- Visual acuity testing to measure how clearly you see
- Eye pressure measurement to screen for glaucoma
- Detailed examination of your retina and optic nerve
- Assessment of eye muscle function and coordination
- Evaluation of your tear film and eye surface health
We diagnose and treat a wide variety of eye conditions that can affect your daily life. Our experienced team provides personalized treatment plans and coordinates care for complex conditions that may require specialized treatment.
If you need glasses or contact lenses, we help you find the perfect solution for your lifestyle. Our services include comprehensive vision testing, frame selection guidance, and contact lens fittings to ensure your eyewear provides clear, comfortable vision.
Our doctors provide medical treatment for various eye conditions that can impact your comfort and vision. This includes managing dry eyes, treating infections, addressing allergic reactions, and monitoring conditions that affect eye tissue health.
When surgical treatment may benefit your vision, we provide thorough consultations to discuss your options. Our surgeons, Dr. Kevin Dinowitz and Dr. James Pasternack, specialize in cataract surgery, corneal procedures, and glaucoma management.
We use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to provide the most accurate assessments of your eye health. Our technology helps us detect problems earlier and monitor changes over time with greater precision.
For patients with significant vision loss that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery, we provide information about low vision rehabilitation services and adaptive technologies that can help maintain independence and quality of life.
Common Eye Conditions We Treat
Our general ophthalmology services address a wide range of eye health concerns that can affect people of all ages, from minor irritations to serious vision-threatening diseases.
Nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia affect how light focuses in the eye. These common vision problems affect millions of people and can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, and when appropriate, referral for vision correction surgery.
Dry eyes can cause discomfort, burning, and blurred vision that interferes with daily activities. This condition involves tear film instability and eye surface inflammation, often linked to blocked oil glands in the eyelids. We offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment options including prescription medications like cyclosporine and lifitegrast, in-office procedures like LipiFlow, TearCare, and IPL therapy, punctal plugs, and lifestyle modifications.
Cataract is clouding of the eye's natural lens, causing glare, haloes, faded colors, and difficulty with night driving. Surgery is recommended when vision loss affects daily activities, with lens options tailored to your goals and eye health. Premium intraocular lens options, including multifocal, toric, and extended depth of focus lenses, may be available for patients seeking reduced dependence on glasses.
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, often without early symptoms, and requires monitoring of eye pressure, optic nerve structure with advanced imaging, and visual field testing. Treatment may include eye drops, laser procedures, or surgery to slow or prevent progression.
This condition affects central vision and may be asymptomatic in early stages, while advanced forms can cause distortion or central blind spots. Management ranges from lifestyle and nutritional support with AREDS2 vitamins to advanced treatments for wet forms including injections and laser therapy.
Diabetes can affect the blood vessels in your eyes, potentially leading to serious complications. We provide specialized diabetic eye exams and work closely with your primary care doctor to protect your vision and overall health through annual dilated exams and tight control of blood sugar.
Bacterial and viral infections can cause redness, discharge, and discomfort. We provide prompt diagnosis and effective treatment to resolve infections quickly and prevent complications, with follow-up care to ensure complete healing.
Seasonal and environmental allergies can cause itching, redness, and tearing. We help identify triggers and provide effective treatment options including allergen avoidance, cool compresses, and anti-inflammatory medications to keep your eyes comfortable year-round.
Common eyelid problems include blepharitis (eyelid inflammation), chalazion (blocked oil glands), styes, and ptosis (drooping eyelids). These conditions can cause discomfort, affect appearance, and sometimes impact vision. We provide both medical and surgical treatment options depending on the severity and type of eyelid condition.
Conditions affecting the connection between your eyes and brain can cause double vision, visual field defects, or optic nerve problems. These may be related to thyroid disease, stroke, or other neurologic conditions. We provide evaluation and coordinate care with neurologists when needed.
Eye Exams and Testing
Comprehensive exams combine medical history, examination, and targeted testing to diagnose problems accurately and guide treatment decisions.
We start by reviewing your medical history and any vision concerns you may have. Discussion covers visual needs, symptoms, medical and medication history, family history, and lifestyle factors that influence eye health.
Vision is measured at distance and near, and a refraction determines any need for glasses or updates to an existing prescription. This step also identifies changes that might signal underlying disease.
A microscopic evaluation of the eyelids, tear film, cornea, lens, and front eye structures identifies infection, inflammation, cataract, and signs of contact lens or environmental stress.
Eye pressure is checked to screen for glaucoma using comfortable, modern techniques. Results are interpreted alongside optic nerve appearance and visual field testing for accurate assessment.
Eye drops temporarily widen the pupil to assess the vitreous, optic nerve, macula, and outer retina. Dilation improves detection of conditions like tears, detachments, diabetic changes, and macular disease. We provide sunglasses to help with temporary light sensitivity.
High-resolution imaging of your retina and optic nerve allows us to detect even subtle changes in your eye health over time. These detailed pictures help us monitor conditions like glaucoma and diabetic eye disease with unprecedented precision. Visual field testing maps your side vision to detect glaucoma damage early.
Treatments and Procedures
Treatment plans match the diagnosis, severity, and personal goals, starting with conservative options and advancing when benefits outweigh risks.
Glasses precisely correct refractive errors and can include special coatings for UV protection, glare reduction, and blue light filtering. Contact lenses provide a wider field of view and convenience for active lifestyles, with options for daily, weekly, or monthly replacement depending on your needs and eye health.
Eye drops, oral medications, and topical treatments address various conditions from infections to glaucoma. We carefully select medications based on your specific condition, other health issues, and potential side effects to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Office-based laser treatments can address certain eye conditions without surgery. These may include laser treatment for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or retinal tears. Most laser procedures are performed comfortably in our office with minimal recovery time.
When surgery is needed, we provide detailed consultation about risks, benefits, and expectations. Common procedures include cataract surgery, minor eyelid procedures, and emergency repair of eye injuries. More complex cases may be referred to subspecialists.
Prevention includes wearing UV-protective sunglasses, maintaining a diet rich in leafy greens and omega-3 fatty acids, not smoking, managing blood pressure and diabetes, and following proper contact lens hygiene. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight also support overall eye health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions patients ask about general ophthalmology services and eye care.
Children should have vision screening in early childhood and periodic exams through school. Adults with no risk factors typically need exams every 2-3 years until age 40, then every 1-2 years. After age 65 or with risk factors like diabetes, annual exams are usually recommended.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can perform surgery and treat all eye diseases. An optometrist provides vision care, prescribes glasses and contacts, and manages certain eye conditions but refers surgical cases to ophthalmologists.
Dilation is not always necessary but is important for comprehensive evaluation of the retina and optic nerve. Your doctor will determine when dilation is needed based on your age, risk factors, and symptoms. Dilation effects typically last 3-4 hours.
Your vision may be blurry and light sensitive for several hours after dilation. It is safest to have someone drive you home or wait until the effects wear off. We provide sunglasses to help with light sensitivity.
For small particles, try flushing with clean water or saline. Do not rub your eye. If pain persists, vision changes, or you cannot remove the object safely, seek immediate medical attention. For chemicals in the eye, flush immediately with water for 15 minutes and go to the emergency room.
Small, occasional floaters are usually normal age-related changes. However, sudden onset of many floaters, especially with flashes of light or vision loss, may indicate retinal problems requiring immediate attention.
Signs may include squinting, sitting close to screens, complaints of headaches, poor performance in school, covering one eye, or avoiding reading. Regular vision screenings help detect problems early even when children do not complain of symptoms.
Dry eyes can result from aging, medications, environmental factors, or blocked oil glands in the eyelids. Treatment ranges from artificial tears and warm compresses to prescription drops, punctal plugs, or in-office procedures like LipiFlow or IPL therapy.
Cataract surgery is recommended when vision loss affects your daily activities like driving, reading, or work. The timing depends on how much the cataracts bother you, not just how they look to the doctor.
While glaucoma cannot always be prevented, early detection through regular eye exams allows treatment to slow or prevent vision loss. Risk factors include age over 40, family history, high eye pressure, and certain medical conditions.
LASIK and other vision correction surgeries are not suitable for everyone. Factors like prescription stability, corneal thickness, dry eyes, and certain eye conditions affect candidacy. A thorough evaluation determines if you are a good candidate.
Diabetes can damage blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy. This condition may have no early symptoms, which is why annual dilated eye exams are crucial for all diabetics, even those with well-controlled blood sugar.
Warning signs include sudden flashes of light, a shower of floaters, a curtain or shadow across your vision, or sudden vision loss. These symptoms require immediate medical attention as prompt treatment can often save vision.
Yes, special toric contact lenses are designed to correct astigmatism.
Get the Care You Deserve
Your vision matters. Let our expert team at ReFocus Eye Health in Avon take care of all your eye health needs. Whether you're due for an exam or need treatment for a specific condition, we're here for you.
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Caring staff and doctor. Explanation of procedure needed was informative and questions were answered.
Lin Paul
Love this office! Everyone is friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable including the front desk, the technicians, and the doctors.
Lynn Bodamer
Extremely thorough and everyone there was so nice! Made me feel at ease from the beginning
Phyllis Starkie
The most thorough eye exam I have ever received. I very much appreciated knowing the details given during the examination process. Very talented group of professionals.
Linda
First regular exam after my cataract surgeries. Avon staff was friendly and thorough. Dr. Pasternack reviewed tests and examined my eyes. Very pleased with how well my eyes are doing.
Judith Boisclair
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