Vision Exams for Children
All children starting kindergarten or entering school in Illinois for the first time must have a comprehensive eye exam. Proof of the eye exam must be submitted by October 15th of each school year.
Comprehensive eye exams for children are critical for the early intervention necessary to treat diseases and disorders such as amblyopia (“lazy eye”), strabismus, retinoblastoma and other serious and potentially blinding problems that can lead to poor school performance and ultimately affect quality of life. Vision disorders are considered the fourth most common disability in the United States, though many vision problems in children are preventable or treatable if caught early.
Eye examinations are a cost-effective investment in Illinois’s children. Approximately 70 percent of children are insured for comprehensive eye exams through private insurance, Medicaid, S-CHIP or other state or federal programs. Many optometrists, ophthalmologists and local charitable organizations provide ongoing assistance for families in need.
Eye Exams for Adults
Eye examinations are an important part of health maintenance for everyone. Adults should have their eyes tested to keep their prescriptions current and to check for early signs of eye disease. An annual eye examination is recommended for every person after age 40, even if you have not been diagnosed with an eye disease and are not experiencing any problems with your vision. If you already wear eyeglasses or contact lenses or are experiencing any problems with your vision, you should have a complete eye examination to determine the status of your vision.
In addition to evaluating your eyes for glasses and contact lenses, our optometrists will check your eyes for eye diseases and other problems that could lead to vision loss. Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, have no symptoms in their early stages. In most cases, early detection and treatment of eye diseases can help reduce your risk for permanent vision loss.
During your comprehensive eye examination, we will check the following:
- Your visual acuity, to determine if corrective lenses, laser vision correction (LASIK) or another procedure would be beneficial.
- The intraocular pressure of your eyes, to determine if you may have glaucoma.
- The condition of your retina, to see if there is any damage that could affect your eyesight, such as age-related macular degeneration or to determine if any preventative treatments may be indicated.
- The lenses of your eyes, to determine if cataracts are forming.
- The moisture level of your eyes to determine if dry-eye treatment would make your vision clearer and more comfortable.
Our physicians also take the time to discuss any issues or concerns you may have about your test results, or questions you may have about available procedures. If you need glasses or contact lenses, our highly trained optometrists will guide you through all the available lenses to find what will best fit your lifestyle needs. Gailey Eye Clinic offers frames a variety of frames, including many name brands, customized lenses and a variety of contact lenses, including diposables, keratoconus and specialty lenses.
Our physicians examine and treat eye disorders and diseases and coordinate all post-operative care. We provide 24 hour/7 days a week emergency care so that you know your vision is protected with Gailey.
