At the Southwest Eye Institute, we perform detailed examinations of the front and back of your eyes. This is very important because there are many eye diseases that you may not know you have until the damage is very advanced. Please know our specialty is in the medical and surgical care of your eyes, so we do not sell eyeglasses or contact lenses. Here are some common questions we receive about eye exams:
What ages of patients do you accept?
We evaluate and treat patients as young as six years old to older than 100. Patients younger than six we examine only in emergency situations.
Do you accept emergency patients?
Yes! If you are having an eye emergency, contact us immediately. If you cannot reach our clinic or on-call doctor immediately, then call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
How often should I get an eye examination?
Children should get an eye examination when referred by their pediatrician or another health specialist. For adults, how often one should get an exam depends on age, symptoms, and risk factors. At a minimum, everyone should get a comprehensive medical eye exam at age 40 if they never had one. For more information, you can visit this clinical statement from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
How long does an eye exam take?
Since we perform very detailed examinations of your vision and eye health, an initial eye exam with us could take as long as 2-3 hours.
Do I need to be referred by a doctor?
No, you can Contact Us directly to request a comprehensive eye examination.
