Your First Visit

Prior to your initial visit, we will attempt to mail a pre-registration form to you to begin organizing your chart, or you may also download the forms to the right. This will allow a more efficient use of your time once you arrive. We request that you arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment in order to confirm the information in your chart, as well as confirm your insurance authorizations. For a complete eye exam, please allow approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours for your initial visit. Since your eyes will possibly be dilated, please remember to bring your sunglasses. You may also wish to bring a friend or relative to drive you home. If the appointment is for a minor (under 18 years of age), please remember that for legal reasons a parent or guardian must be present during the exam.

Eye Myths: an eye exam is only needed when you are having eye problems. (Everyone should have routine eye exams. Many eye conditions do not have symptoms until extensive damage is done.)

Eye Myths: all “eye doctors” are the same. (Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians are all eye professionals, but only ophthalmologists are true medical doctors.)

The Medical Eye Exam

The type of eye exam you receive will depend on the nature of your eye problems. As mentioned above, some exams include dilation while others do not. As part of a complete eye exam, you can expect to have your vision checked and your need for a prescription measured manually and by a computer with special infrared technology. Also, your field of vision, pupil reactions, and eye tracking will be noted. For some patients, we also check their depth perception and their color vision. A glaucoma test (pressure check) and an evaluation of the front and back of the eyes are also done. Special care is taken to determine the status of the cornea, the lens, the optic nerve, and the retina. Dilation is used to look at the edges of the retina that are not readily seen otherwise, and is a useful tool to get the most accurate prescription possible. This comprehensive testing allows us to evaluate a person for conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, dry eyes and macular degeneration. Additional tests that can provide other valuable information will be performed as needed.

Eye Myths: reading in dim light will hurt your eyes. (This may fatigue the eye, but does not cause any damage.)

Eye Myths: eye exercises can be done to improve vision. (This myth has made many people wealthy. Rolling your eyes around has NO effect on your vision.)

Eye Surgery

There are many methods for performing surgery on the eyes. Each method selected is always based on the individual's needs and desires in order to provide the best possible results. All surgeries at Chico Eye Center are done utilizing the most current, state-of-the-art techniques and equipment. We perform the most advanced no stitch, no patch, no injection cataract surgery. Also, we utilize the newest techniques and equipment for glaucoma surgery. In addition, we use several types of lasers for treatment of diabetic retinopathy, "secondary cataracts" (capsulotomy), and glaucoma. We also use the most advanced type of laser and up-to-date technique for refractive surgery (LASIK and PRK). All of our surgeries are done at the new state-of-the-art Chico Surgery Center or at the hospital outpatient center. This ensures that our patients receive the best care available, equal to or better than any other practice in the country.

Eye Myths: the eye is removed or popped out to do eye surgery. (During surgery, the eye is kept in its normal anatomical position.)

Eye Myths: eating carrots will improve vision. (They are high in vitamin A, but do not improve vision.)

Glasses and Contact Lenses

Should you wish to update your eyewear, we offer a wide selection of quality frames and lenses. Our highly skilled and certified opticians will assist you in selecting the best eyewear for your individual fashion and practical needs. We carry many name brand glasses and sunglasses, including Cazal, Ralph Lauren, Elle, Calvin Klein, Ray Ban, and Oakley. We also have a full service lens laboratory that permits us to make most lenses on-site. Therefore, we can make your lenses more rapidly and with a higher level of quality to give you the maximum level of satisfaction. Finally, we also have a large inventory of contact lenses, including colored contacts as well as the new bifocal contact lenses.

Eye Myths: using glasses makes your eyes weaker or more dependent on glasses. (Your eyes will change at their own rate regardless of what is sitting on your nose. After all, you were not wearing glasses before you had to start to wear correction.)

Eye Myths: eyeballs can be transplanted. (Only the cornea of the eye can be transplanted.)

Insurance and Payments

We are participating providers for most insurance groups and health maintenance organizations (HMO). If we are providers for your plan, we will bill your insurance for you. To assist us in this, it is necessary that you have your current insurance information with you when you come for your visit. For our Medicare patients, we are participating providers. Additionally, we will bill all Medicare supplemental insurance carriers if you provide us with the necessary information. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions regarding fees and services. Charges are based on the complexity of services and the type of examination rendered. For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

Eye Myths: using the wrong pair of glasses or wrong prescription will damage your eyes. (All that will happen will be that the images will be blurry, but no damage occurs.)

Eye Myths: sitting too close to the TV will harm your eyes. (Sit wherever you are most comfortable, no damage will come to your eyes. Young children have incredibly strong ability to focus their eyes and can do this without becoming fatigued.)

Emergencies

Please call our office immediately if you have a serious problem with your eyes or a possible emergency. If you need assistance after regular office hours, please go directly to the emergency room or urgent care center. The emergency physician will evaluate your situation and consult with us as needed. Refills of medications can be handled during regular hours by having your pharmacist contact our doctors.