Four Important Reasons to See an Eye Doctor

Dr. Jeff Broadhead performing imaging for a patient.

Reason #1: Maximize Your Vision

Blurry vision is the main reason people visit the eye doctor.

Clear vision is key to great performance in school, work, sports and recreational activities. Poor visions leads to headaches, poor grades, lack of productivity, frustration, and lack of enjoyment.

Most common vision problems can be solved with vision treatment options such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, vision therapy, ortho-k treatment, or surgery.

Reason #2: Solve an Urgent Eye Problem

The second reason most people call their optometrist is to solve an eye problem. Red eyes, painful eyes, infection, sudden loss of vision, a foreign body sensation, double vision, extreme light sensitivity, or flashes of light in your vision, are reasons to call your eye doctor without delay.

In our office, same-day Urgent Appointments are available 7 days a week.

Reason #3: Preserve & Protect Your Amazing Eyes

Eyes are amazing. Vision is a miracle worth protecting.

Blurriness can be a simple optical issue, but can also be caused by eye disease. No online eye exam, drugstore self-test, or school screening can detect if a loss of vision is purely optical or a sign of an eye disease.

“A professional eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist is the best way to achieve sharp, comfortable vision while ensuring your eyes are healthy and free of sight-threatening disease.”

– Dr. Jeff Broadhead

You should have Annual Vision & Eye Health Exams, even if you see great. Poor vision is not the only reason to call your optometrist. People with great vision need yearly eye exams too. Most sight-threatening eye diseases -- like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease -- have no early symptoms until the damage is already done. Early detection is the key to preventing possible vision loss.

Reason #4: Transform Your Image

This is probably the most fun reason to see your optometrist! As serious as we are about making sure you see great, we REALLY enjoy helping you look great too!

Which transformation is right for you? Designer eyeglasses? Sunglasses by Coach, Bebe, or Oakley? Or breaking free of glasses with contacts or vision correction? The options are endless. And guess what: You can choose more than one! (It's not illegal.)

Top-Rated Optometrist

What is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is an eye doctor who specializes in maximizing vision and preserving eye health. And optometrist is a primary eye care provider -- a primary care doctor for your eyes.

Optometrists perform Annual Vision & Eye Health Exams, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, diagnose and treat eye diseases, remove superficial foreign bodies from the eyes, providing both routine and urgent, non-surgical vision care.

Optometrists obtain a four-year Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree at an accredited university, pass National Board of Optometry Examinations, and obtain a license to practice under the authority of the State Board of Optometry.

What is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or an osteopathic doctor (DO) who has completed an extensive residency training in eye and vision care and is trained to perform eye surgery.

Ophthalmologists may practice general ophthalmology or specialize in certain areas such as cornea, retina, strabismus, refractive surgery, or glaucoma.

What's the Difference?

Some people say optometrists are better looking, although that depends on who is writing the website article.

Optometrists and Ophthalmologists train at different programs with different but complementary emphases.

Both Optometrists and Ophthalmologists are required to fulfill continued education requirements on an ongoing basis to stay current with the latest standards of eye care.

Drs. Michael Chism, Jeff Broadhead, and Francis J. Wapner.

At Progressive Eye Care we give you the best of both professions.

Optometrists, Dr. Jeff Broadhead and Dr. Mike Chism, and ophthalmologist, Dr. Francis Wapner, work closely to provide you with the highest level of optical, medical, surgical, and non-surgical eye care for the whole family.

Click here to learn more about our expert doctors

More than 500 patients have reviewed our practice.

Are You a New Patient?

During your first appointment, several important things will happen. You will be greeted by a patient coordinator. She will assist you in using an iPad to enter your eye and health history and explain your goals for the visit. Paper forms are available upon request if preferred.

From there you will be taken to our examination suite where we will present you with a New Patient Gift and begin taking measurements to get your ready for the doctor.

One of our Top-Rated doctors will listen to your goals and concerns, complete a thorough examination of your vision and eye health, and provide a personalized treatment plan to help you meet your vision and eye health goals.