Complete EyeCare Center

You’ve broken out the new calendar, or at least turned the page to a new year.  Are you wondering where 2008 went?  None of us seems immune to this syndrome, perhaps a sign of the busyness of our culture.  So, it should come as no surprise that you’ve probably underestimated how long it’s been since your last eye exam.

Not all people need a comprehensive eye health exam every year.  Every two years can be adequate for people who are not considered “at risk”.  Having said that, children and students may need more frequent care since their eyes are growing and changing quite rapidly.  That’s why it’s important for parents and teachers be educated to recognize signs of vision problems in children.

So who needs to been seen at least annually?  Those over age 60, contact lens wearers, anyone who has had eye surgery, people who take prescription or non-prescription drugs that can have ocular side effects, diabetics, anyone with high blood pressure, those who have a family history of ocular disease (such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc.), those who work in occupations that are visually demanding or with eye hazards, children with a high refractive error, an eye turn, or eyes with unequal refractive power,  children born prematurely, with low weight, or through difficult or assisted labor, children who received oxygen as newborns, children with family history of certain diseases, and people with other health concerns or conditions.  (Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list, and some conditions require more frequent monitoring.)

After examining and talking with you, Dr. Olson will make a recommendation about how long it should be until you have your next eye health exam.  Our first concern is your health, so we help you keep on track with convenient scheduling and reminders tailor-made to your situation.  But we won’t be surprised if your response is, “Has it really been a year?”

Do you find that you are relying more on electronic communication and less on the telephone lately?  I know I have noticed this trend in my own situation.  It’s convenient, less intrusive, and fast.  We recognized that our patients could easily benefit from streamlining our appointment confirmation process.  If you prefer, we can now send appointment confirmation messages and reminders by email, text or pager!  Simply click a button on the email to confirm or call back when it’s convenient for you, if that’s better for you.

You can also just click a button from the email if you want to add the appointment to your personal electronic calendar in Outlook, iCal, etc.

Of course, we need to know your email address, cell phone or pager number to provide this new service.  We’ll ask about it at your next visit.  Or, we can set it up now if you contact us.

Amidst the sighs of children, the back-to-school messages have begun.  When you begin thinking about school supplies and sports physicals, don’t forget to make sure your children’s eyes are healthy.  During a child’s first 12 years, approximately 80 percent of all learning comes through vision!

Dr. Olson wants your children to have a positive experience at school, just as you do. One of the best things a parent can do is to schedule an eye exam that includes an optomap® Retinal Exam before schools starts to ensure your child is ready for the school year.

Complete EyeCare Center offers the optomap® Retinal Exam as part of a comprehensive eye exam to patients of all ages because it is important that everyone to have their retina checked regularly.  The majority of eye health problems arise without you knowing.  Even patients that report that they can see just fine and have no complaints can not be assured they are healthy.  Dr. Olson has found undetected conditions including retinal holes, early macular degeneration, even brain tumors, in such symptom-free patients.  The optomap® allows Dr. Olson to get an ultra-widefield view of the retina in a fast, painless, and comfortable way–appealing to children and adults alike.

Undetected or untreated vision problems can hinder a child’s ability to reach their full potential.  Numerous studies have found a direct link between vision and children’s learning, behavior, and school performance. At least 10 to 15 percent – or 8 to 12 million – children have undetected vision impairments. Yet most of these conditions can be easily treated by Dr. Olson.

Help ensure that an undetected vision problem won’t rob your child of the opportunity to succeed in school.  Call Complete EyeCare Center (319.385.9534) to schedule your child’s eye exam today.  While you’re at it, schedule your own exam too!