Eye Exam Naperville | General Ophthalmology Wheaton

General ophthalmologists perform comprehensive eye examinations and surgical evaluations. General ophthalmologists are Eye MDs who provide a broad spectrum of eye care, from vision care (evaluating visual changes and prescribing glasses) to diagnosing and treating eye disease. A wide scope of patients with ocular problems and health concerns who range in age from teens through elderly adults are seen by these physicians.

At Wheaton Eye Clinic, General ophthalmologists are often the first doctors on our team to see patients for periodic medical eye exams as well as for specific visual or ocular complaints. They take care of a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, dry eyes, cataracts and glaucoma.

General Ophthalmologists evaluate a large range of symptoms such as blurry vision, poor night vision, transient loss of vision, loss of visual field, sudden loss of vision, difficulty with near vision, eye pain, red eyes, eye fatigue, fluctuating vision, itching or burning, crusts or discharge, excess tearing, double vision and itching or redness of the eyelids.

Often patients are referred to a General ophthalmologist at the Wheaton Eye Clinic by an internist, family practice doctor, endocrinologist, neurologist, dermatologist, pediatrician, or other medical specialists in the community.

Treatment Options

Usually, a full medical eye exam begins with refraction (checking whether vision can be improved with a new pair of glasses), checking eye pressure, checking ocular alignment and motility, and examining the anterior structures of the eye with a specialized slit lamp bio-microscope. A full examination often includes dilation of the pupils so that the posterior structure of the eye, such as the retina and optic nerve, can be examined. When findings raise suspicion for pathologic conditions, special ancillary testing may be performed to provide additional information.

Common Conditions

General Ophthalmology at Wheaton Eye Clinic includes the following:

The Wheaton Eye Clinic is a full service medical eye center. We have general ophthalmologists, physicians offering comprehensive eye examinations to check the health of a patient’s eye, and we have sub-specialists who treat specific conditions of the eye. During a comprehensive eye health exam, many tests are performed, the overall health of the eye is evaluated and, if necessary a prescription is written for glasses.

Process of Examination

A full medical eye health examination at the Wheaton Eye Clinic usually begins with measuring visual acuity, a refraction (checking whether vision can be improved with a new pair of glasses), measuring eye pressure, checking ocular alignment and motility, examining the structures of the eye with a specialized slit lamp bio-microscope, and then typically includes dilation of the pupils so that structures in the back of the eye can be examined.

Occasionally, special ancillary testing is required to check for medical conditions that may threaten eyesight or general health. Once the overall health of the eye is evaluated, a prescription is written for corrective lenses if they are needed. Referral to a Wheaton Eye Clinic subspecialist may be made if specific conditions are discovered that require in-depth consultation.

Eye Health Exam Doctors

Comprehensive eye health examinations are performed by Wheaton Eye Clinic ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D.) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) who have completed four years of college, four years of medical school, one year of internship, three years of an ophthalmology residency and who may have further training in a subspecialty fellowship.

Request an Appointment

Patients interested in wearing contact lenses should make an appointment with a Wheaton Eye Clinic contact lens specialist. During your first appointment, you will be given a contact lens examination.

Contact Lens Exam

Step One

You and your doctor will discuss how you wish to incorporate contact lenses into your lifestyle. Topics to consider include:

Work Usage
Sports/Recreation Use
Bifocals
Reading

Step Two

An analysis of your prescription will be made and your eyes will be examined in order to determine your:

Corneal health, curvature and topography
Tear quality
Pupil size
Eyelid structure

Fitting Your Needs

Following the eye exam, you and your doctor will discuss which contact lens type and design will provide you with the best vision, comfort and safety for all your visual requirements. In most cases, a diagnostic pair of contact lenses will then be placed on your eyes. The doctor will evaluate their fit using a microscope called a slit lamp.

Once the proper contact lens is identified, you will be trained in application, removal and handling of the lens, including proper cleaning, disinfecting and storing.

Once you are comfortable applying and removing the diagnostic lenses, you will be given a wearing schedule and a follow-up appointment.

Although a comprehensive eye health exam is not part of the contact lens exam, patients are able to receive either new or updated prescriptions for glasses.

Follow-Up Visit

The contact lens follow-up visit is important because your doctor will use the microscope to observe any adverse reactions to wearing contact lenses, to evaluate the fit of the lenses and your lens prescription will be rechecked. If necessary, a different lens design or prescription will be substituted.

Future Care

Regardless of how long you have worn contact lenses, a routine contact lens exam is recommended at least once a year.

Contact Lens Doctors

Contact lens examinations at Wheaton Eye Clinic are performed by Wheaton Eye Clinic Doctors of Optometry (O.D.) who have completed four years of college and four years of post-graduate study at a College of Optometry.

Request an Appointment

Dedication to Patient Care

Many thousands of patients in the western suburbs are homebound due to a variety of severe medical conditions. Patients who have had a stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, severe multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, advanced Parkinson’s disease, severe congestive heart failure and many other maladies live confined to a wheelchair or hospital bed in their home.

The Wheaton Eye Clinic provides a unique service for patients such as these. Because one of our doctors has a special humanitarian interest in caring for patients who are homebound, we are able to offer service to many patients who would otherwise be unserved. In many cases, the underlying medical condition may give rise to poor vision, double vision, acute loss of vision, diabetic eye complications, eye infections, glaucoma or dry eyes.

Sometimes eye problems are found which require surgery. In such cases, a team effort, requiring the patient’s medical doctor, special transportation and Wheaton Eye Clinic surgeons, treats the surgical problem. Patients are then followed in the home post-operatively by a general ophthalmologist who offers home eye care.

Additional Information

Wheaton Eye Clinic Home Eye Care is available only upon referral by a medical doctor. Because demand exceeds resources, priority is given to the most medically-severe and/or needs-based situations. Physicians wishing to make a home eye care referral should call 630.668.8250 or Contact Us

Injuries to the eye can result in significant permanent visual damage. More than 100,000 eye injuries occur annually and the majority of these accidents occur in younger people. Ninety percent of all eye injuries can be prevented with the use of proper protective eyewear and by taking prudent precautions.

Sports and recreational activities are the most common setting for eye injuries. Hazardous situations also exist at home, work or school.

Symptoms

Blunt trauma to an eye from projectile objects (such as a ball or finger) can cause a wide range of damage including corneal abrasion, bleeding in the eye, fracture of the orbital bone, rupture of the eyeball or retinal detachment.

Foreign bodies and miscellaneous debris can become lodged in the eye, especially from activities such as grinding metal or trimming tree branches.

Chemical injuries can be devastating and commonly occur in laboratories or at home from accidental exposure to chemicals, household cleaners, solvents or aerosol products. Following a chemical injury, a patient should immediately flush the affected eye(s) with water, then go immediately to a hospital emergency room where there is equipment for continued irrigation.

Penetration of the eye usually results from violent trauma such as in an altercation, from a projectile or from an auto accident.

Serious burns often are the result of the amateur use of fireworks or explosives.

Treatment Options

Whenever an eye injury occurs, certain steps must be taken in order to prevent serious damage and visual loss. If someone has been exposed to a harmful chemical, immediate irrigation of the eye with water is of utmost importance, even before a phone call to the ER is made. If a blunt or penetrating injury of the eye occurs, manipulation of the eye should be avoided since further damage could be caused. A shield (such as a makeshift one cut out from a styrofoam cup) should be placed over the eye. A pressure patch on the eye may be harmful after trauma and should be avoided.

Medical attention should be sought immediately since time is of the essence to preserve vision after an eye injury.

Wheaton Eye Clinic is prepared to treat urgent care patients during regular business hours. An emergency ophthalmologist is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to patients calling our normal business phone number—630.668.8250. After business hours, an operator will take your information and relay this to the on-call physician.

In Cases of Emergency

An eye emergency exists when vision loss or permanent damage to the eye is imminent. If there is a life-threatening condition, 911 should be called or the patient should immediately go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Some of the signs and symptoms of an eye emergency which should be evaluated promptly include:

Sudden loss or distortion of vision
Sudden development of double vision
The onset of flashing lights or floaters
Any ocular trauma that causes persistent redness and pain, loss of vision or involves a chemical exposure

Eye Injuries

Medical attention should be sought immediately since time is of the essence to preserve vision after an eye injury. Injuries to the eye can result in significant permanent visual damage. More than 100,000 eye injuries occur annually and the majority of these accidents occur in younger people. Sports and recreational activities are the most common setting for eye injuries. Hazardous situations also exist at home, work or school.

Ninety percent of all eye injuries can be prevented with the use of proper protective eyewear and by taking prudent precautions.

Blunt Trauma

Projectile objects, such as a ball or finger, can cause a wide range of damage including corneal abrasion, bleeding in the eye, fracture of the orbital bone, rupture of the eyeball or retinal detachment.

Foreign Bodies and Miscellaneous Debris

Activities such as grinding metal or trimming tree branches can disperse particles that become lodged in the eye.

Chemical Injuries

Such occurrences can be devastating and commonly occur in laboratories or at home from accidental exposure to household cleaners, solvents or aerosol products.

Penetration of the Eye

Broken glass or a similar sharp object in the eye usually results in violent trauma.

Serious Burns

Amateur use of fireworks or explosives has the potential to cause serious injury.

Immediate Treatment

Whenever an eye injury occurs, certain steps must be taken in order to prevent serious damage and visual loss. If someone has been exposed to a harmful chemical, immediate irrigation of the eye with water is of utmost importance, even before a phone call to the ER is made. If a blunt or penetrating injury of the eye occurs, manipulation of the eye should be avoided since further damage could be caused. A shield (such as a makeshift one cut from a Styrofoam cup) should be placed over the eye. A pressure patch on the eye may be harmful after trauma and should be avoided.

Conditions Requiring Evaluation within a Day or Two

Redness and/or discharge of the eyes
Blisters or lumps on the eyes
Pain in the eyes
Headaches
Foreign body sensation

Request an Appointment

General Ophthalmology

Treatment Options

Common Conditions

Process of Examination

Eye Health Exam Doctors

Contact Lens Exam

Step One

Step Two

Fitting Your Needs

Follow-Up Visit

Future Care

Contact Lens Doctors

Dedication to Patient Care

Additional Information

Symptoms

Treatment Options

In Cases of Emergency

Eye Injuries

Blunt Trauma

Foreign Bodies and Miscellaneous Debris

Chemical Injuries

Penetration of the Eye

Serious Burns

Immediate Treatment

Conditions Requiring Evaluation within a Day or Two

Urgent Eye Care

General Ophthalmology Doctors

Locations

Wheaton

Naperville

Hinsdale

Plainfield

St. Charles

Bartlett