Ophthalmologists (MD/DO): Medical doctors who provide full eye care, including surgery, treatments for diseases, medical exams, vision exams, and prescriptions for eye glasses. They have received 12 years of education after High School.

Optometrists (OD): Eye doctors who perform vision exams and prescribe glasses/contacts but do not perform surgery.

Children should have eye exams at 6–12 months old, at age 3, and before starting school.

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Trouble seeing at night
• Glare or halos around lights
• Faded colors
• Frequent changes in glasses prescription

• Monofocal lenses: Correct vision at one distance
• Multifocal lenses: Vision at near, far, and intermediate (dashboard/computer screen)
• Toric lenses: Correct astigmatism

• Gradual loss of side vision - often goes unnoticed without an exam
• Tunnel vision (advanced cases) - bumping into walls one doesn't see
• Severe eye pain or headache (in acute cases)
• Halos around lights with blurry and sometimes pain

• Prescription eye drops
• Laser therapy (such as SLT)
• Surgery, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)

• Autoimmune diseases (arthritis, lupus)
• Infections (herpes, tuberculosis, syphilis, shingles, sarcoidosis)
• Eye trauma
• Sometimes unknown (idiopathic)

Treatment may include corticosteroid eye drops; Oral or injectable steroids; Immunosuppressive medications; antivirals (if infectious).

• Dry AMD: Thinning of the macula (slow vision loss).
• Wet AMD: Abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage (sudden or slow, severe central vision loss).

• Blurry or distorted central vision and trouble reading
• Straight lines appearing wavy
• Dark or empty spots in vision
• Trouble recognizing faces

• Dry AMD: Lifestyle changes, AREDS2 vitamins
• Wet AMD: Anti-VEGF injections (Avastin®, Lucentis®, Eylea®), sometimes laser therapy

• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• Dark spots/floaters
• Poor night vision
• Sudden vision loss
• Doors and lines looking bowed or crooked or wavy - not straight

• Laser therapy – seals leaking vessels
• Anti-VEGF injections – reduce abnormal vessel growth
• Steroid treatments – for swelling
• Vitrectomy surgery – for advanced cases

Yes. Keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control, don’t smoke, and have a diabetic eye exam at least once a year, more often if diabetic changes exist

Glasses prescriptions in the State of Tennessee expire after 1 year.

Not unless specifically approved by your eye doctor. Sleeping in contacts increases risk of infection and corneal ulcers which can cause severe vision loss.

Yes! East Ridge Eye Center has its own OPTICAL SHOP where we can help you with frames and lenses

Yes, we accept most VSP & Eye Med plans. Contact our office for details.

Bring your glasses/contacts (boxes with contact lens powers and brand), medications, insurance card, and any prior eye records. Also bring a state-issued photo ID to your exam.

Often yes, to allow a full retina exam. Expect some blurry vision for a few hours afterwards.