Exams & Services
Comprehensive Eye Exam
An eye exam consists of more than just checking to see if you need glasses. During a comprehensive eye exam, we not only determine your prescription for glasses or contact lenses, but we also assess your eyes’ ability to work together as a team (binocular vision). The dilated portion of the comprehensive eye exam helps us check for eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. It helps us evaluate your eyes for signs of systemic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even brain tumors. Adults and children should have routine eye exams to keep prescriptions current and to check for early signs of eye diseases. Early detection can prevent vision loss.
Below is a list of a few eye conditions and eye diseases that we look for during a comprehensive eye exam:
Refractive Error
This is your eyes’ “optical” prescription. There are 3 types of refractive error: myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (irregular shape to the eye which results in two separate focal points). These conditions can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery.
Presbyopia
This is the eye's inability to focus up close. This happens as a result of the aging process. This condition can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery.
Amblyopia
Amblyopia is the poor development of central vision as a result of a turned eye or a large asymmetry (difference) in refractive error between the two eyes. If untreated, amblyopia can slow the visual development of the affected eye, which can lead to permanent vision loss.
Strabismus
Strabismus is an eye that turns inwards or outwards relative to the other eye. If left untreated, strabismus can lead to amblyopia and decrease depth perception.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the degeneration of the optic nerve (a nerve tract that connects and transmits information from the eye to the brain) often associated with high eye pressure. During a comprehensive eye exam, we perform numerous tests that tell us whether or not you have glaucoma. Because there are virtually no symptoms, it is important to have regular eye exams to prevent permanent vision loss.
Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is a disease that affects the small “sweet spot” (macula) of the retina critical for acute central vision tasks such as reading, driving, and watching television. A comprehensive examination can detect the condition in its early stages.
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens that rests just behind the colored part of the eye. Once cataracts develop, patients often feel as if they are looking through a dirty window pane, which can cause symptoms of glare at night.
Systemic Diseases
A comprehensive eye exam can detect early signs of many systemic diseases, including diabetes and high blood pressure.
Contact Lens & Glasses Fitting
Contact Lens Exam
A contact lens exam consists of a comprehensive eye exam and requires additional testing to determine the power and fit of your contact lenses. Whether you are just interested in being fit with contacts or an experienced contact lens wearer, please make sure to mention this when booking your eye exam.
We first determine your lifestyle needs, which may include work environment, sports, and special social and recreational needs. We then determine your prescription power for glasses and contact lenses, assess your eye's ability to work together as a team (binocular vision), and check for eye diseases. Measurements of corneal curvature, evaluation of your tear film, and measurement of pupil size will be taken to ensure an optimum fit.
After finding a contact lens that is comfortable for you, fits properly, and provides good vision, we will write a contact lens prescription that contains the parameters of your new contact lenses. Annual eye exams are recommended, so we can monitor the health of your eyes and check on the progress with the contact lenses.
Please read our Contact Lens Information page for more details on contact lenses.
Fitting for Eyeglasses
We offer a wide range of designer eyeglasses and sunglass frames. After a comprehensive exam to determine your prescription needs, we’ll ensure you leave with the right fit. You can learn more about the brands we offer by visiting our brands page.
LASIK Screening
Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) Co-Management
A comprehensive eye exam can be the precursor to the pre-operative measurements necessary for refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, and ICL) if desired. We collaborate with Thomas Tooma, MD, medical director for NVision Laser Eye Centers, and Dan Tran, MD, medical director for Coastal Vision, to provide refractive surgery pre/post-operative care.
We also provide routine yearly comprehensive eye exams following refractive surgery to monitor visual outcomes and the health of the eye. Please mention if you are interested in refractive surgery. We will fill out the necessary paperwork for a complimentary consultation with NVision Laser Eye Centers or Coastal Vision to determine your candidacy.
Computer Vision Syndrome Evaluation
Modern society has changed the way we use our visual system. Our frequent use of desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices all require viewing nearby, which puts tremendous strain on our visual system, often leading to painful symptoms. Many of us experience digital device OVERLOAD on a daily basis.
A breakthrough discovery in the field of neurology revealed that people experiencing symptoms like headaches, neck pain, and eyestrain when using digital devices all shared a common trait: a misalignment in their vision.
Computer Vision Syndrome describes the eyes and brain reacting differently to the characters on the screen than they do to printed characters. Our eyes naturally focus on objects that have clearly defined edges. Characters on a computer screen, however, lack these sharp edges, making it difficult for the eyes to maintain focus. Specialized reading/computer glasses may help in reducing eye strain associated with computer use. In addition, if the eyes are not in alignment, the brain must do the work to compensate for the misalignment. The additional work puts stress on the trigeminal nerve (the largest nerve in the brain), which is the nerve responsible for the majority of head, eye, and shoulder sensations. The overstimulation of the trigeminal nerve can lead to visually induced headaches, stiffness in the neck/shoulders, discomfort with computer use, tired eyes, dry eye sensation, light sensitivity, and dizziness.
We have state-of-the-art instruments to properly and accurately measure the right prescription and to check for eye misalignment to create the correct prescription for your glasses to address your visual needs.
Do you suffer from headaches, neck pain, and eye strain? Take our online survey to see if a neurolens screening and prescription could help relieve your symptoms!
Dry Eye Services
Dry Eye Evaluation
22 million Americans suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome. It is one of the most common eye diseases we diagnose and treat. Tears are composed of three layers. The mucin layer coats the cornea (the clear outer structure in front of the colored part of the eye), allowing tears to stick to the front surface of the eye. The middle layer is the aqueous layer. It is the watery layer of the tear film that provides moisture and supplies oxygen and nutrients to the eye. The outer lipid layer is the oily layer of the tear film, which sits on top of the aqueous layer and prevents the tears from evaporating from the eye.
There are two main types of dry eye: aqueous deficiency, dry eye from reduced watery layer production, and evaporative dry eye from deficient or poor quality oils. Many suffer a mix of the two. During a dry eye evaluation, we will determine which tear layer is the problem. Treatment of dry eyes depends exclusively on the underlying cause. Artificial tears, prescription eye drops, nutritional support, eyelid hygiene, and lifestyle changes are included in the various treatment options. Other advances in dry eye treatment include procedures such as IPL (intense pulsed light), heat therapies, eyelid margin debridement, and meibomian gland expression. Depending on the severity of the dry eye condition, we will determine the best treatment option for you.
In your dry eye evaluation, the different options for dry eye treatment will be presented to you once the appropriate diagnosis has been made. Based on the severity of your signs/symptoms, we will recommend over-the-counter options, prescription eye drop options, oral therapies, and in-office procedures. These options will be designed to either increase tear production or restore meibomian gland function, depending on your diagnosis.
Dry Eye Treatments
Pediatric Eye Exam
Pediatric Eye Exams (ages 3–5)
Pediatric Eye exams (ages 3-5) are extremely important for children in the detection of focusing difficulties, eye muscle teaming and coordination problems, visual perception abnormalities, and eye disease.
Vision Screenings from school nurses and pediatrician offices are helpful in detecting a potential eye condition, but a comprehensive eye exam is recommended for a more conclusive diagnosis and treatment plan. Even with a serious eye or visual condition, many children may have no apparent signs or symptoms present. By identifying your child’s visual problems early, greater success can be achieved with treatment. If left untreated, some eye conditions and diseases may prevent normal visual development, leaving permanent impairment. Annual routine exams should begin at age three to monitor for changes.
When scheduling an eye exam for your child, choose a time when he or she is usually alert and in a good mood. Be sure to tell us if your child has a history of delayed motor development, frequent eye rubbing, squinting, or head tipping or turning, fails to maintain eye contact, cannot keep visual fixation on an object, or has poor eye tracking. We will also want to know about previous ocular diagnoses. Make sure to inform us of any family history of eye problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, strabismus, amblyopia, or eye diseases.
Cataract Screening
Cataract Co-Management
A comprehensive eye exam can detect cataracts. In the event a cataract is diagnosed, we collaborate with Thomas Tooma, MD, medical director at NVision Eye Institute, and Dan Tran, MD, medical director at Coastal Vision, to remove the cataract and address your visual needs.
In conjunction with NVision Eye Institute and Coastal Vision, we provide you with the latest advances in cataract surgery. In addition to the option of monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs), there are premium intraocular lens implants for presbyopia (the condition that requires the use of reading glasses) which include Restor, Crystalens, and Technis multifocal IOL. These multifocal IOLs have revolutionized the option to correct both far and near vision, often eliminating the need for prescription eyeglasses.
Additionally, very recent new technology utilizing Alcon’s LenSx image-guided femtosecond laser makes completely bladeless micro-incisions and crystalline lens emulsification possible. For the first time ever, cataract surgery can be accomplished almost completely with a laser, improving both safety and the visual outcome. Cataract surgery is a relatively pain-free outpatient experience that allows for a quick return to daily functions with extraordinary vision the very next day.
Ocular Disease
Ocular Disease Diagnosis and Management
We are licensed to diagnose and manage virtually all eye diseases discovered in a comprehensive eye exam. In the event we feel additional management of the eye disease is required, we will make the appropriate referral to the specialist. Eye diseases may include the following:
Urgent Eye Care
Urgent Eye Care Needs
We provide care for emergency patients with red or painful eyes, sudden changes in vision or vision loss, flashes of light, or foreign bodies. It is important to schedule an urgent care exam with us as soon as you notice any of these symptoms. Early treatment may prevent permanent vision loss. For after-hours emergencies, please call (949) 545-8431. In the event you cannot reach someone promptly, please call 911.
Trust Us with Your Visual Needs
At Concourse Optometry we are committed to diagnosing all of your visual needs. We will use the latest technology to find the best solution for your vision and eye health.