Turn to the Ratchford Eye Center for exceptional vision care.
Comprehensive Eye Examinations
Comprehensive eye examinations are an essential part of preventive health care. Many ocular health and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, and several of these conditions can have serious systemic associations. It is important to understand that ocular health extends beyond having 20/20 vision. This is why early detection and prompt treatment of many types of eye disease through comprehensive eye examinations are critical.
Your comprehensive eye examination will start with a thorough case history. Next, preliminary testing will be done to evaluate specific aspects of eye health and visual function. A refraction will be performed if you are updating your glasses or contact lens prescriptions. A dilated fundus exam will then be done to look for any eye pathology. Additional testing will be conducted if necessary. Our physicians will then discuss all the findings from the exam at length with you. Please ask your doctor to clarify any questions you have.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by damage to the optic nerve secondary to elevated eye pressures. As it progresses, it can eventually lead to vision loss.
At the Ratchford Eye Center, we screen all our patients for glaucoma, regardless of age. Those with additional risk factors may require further testing and more frequent follow-up. The diagnosis of glaucoma may surprise some patients as there are often no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. For those patients who have both cataracts and glaucoma, your surgeon can discuss a new surgical option called MIGS (microinvasive glaucoma surgery) to manage both cataracts and glaucoma with one procedure.
Management & Treatment
If you have a family history of glaucoma, are over the age of 50, or are currently being treated for glaucoma, we encourage you to make an appointment at the Ratchford Eye Center for an evaluation.
Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration occurs when the macula, the central portion of your retina, is damaged. Macular degeneration can lead to poor central vision, while your peripheral vision usually remains intact. The risk of developing macular degeneration increases with age. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in patients over 50.
There are two types of macular degeneration, wet and dry. Dry is the most common, and it causes you to slowly lose central vision. Wet is less common but more serious. In wet macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels grow and leak in the macula, causing faster vision loss.
Management & Treatment
Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetes affects the body’s ability to create appropriate insulin to control blood glucose (sugar) levels. High blood glucose can damage many parts of the body including the eyes, blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. Diabetic eye disease refers to the different ways in which diabetes can affect the eyes. Diabetic eye disease includes diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. It is very important for diabetes patients to have a complete eye exam every year, even if the vision does not seem to have changed.
Management & Treatment
Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eyes occur when your eyes do not produce enough tears or the right type of tears. Symptoms of dry eyes include blurry vision, burning, stinging, and gritty/sandy sensation. Excessive tearing may also be a symptom of dry eyes which occurs as a reactionary response to dry eyes.
Common causes of dry eyes include:
- Looking at computer/phone screens for a long time
- Contact lenses
- Prior refractive surgery
- Smoke/wind/dry climate
- Certain medications
Management & Treatment
Cataracts
Developing cataracts are a normal part of aging. Cataracts are a gradual clouding of the natural lens of the eye. In the early stages of cataract development, often better lighting and a prescription update can provide good vision for a number of years.
Eventually, however, the cloudiness will create visual symptoms which commonly include glare, especially at night with oncoming headlights, muted colors, difficulty recognizing street signs and faces at a distance, and loss of ability to read small print.
Management & Treatment
IOL Lens Options
Monofocal Lens
- This lens corrects only one distance after cataract surgery.
- It will correct either far vision or near vision, not both.
- If your vision is corrected for far activities, you will need glasses for computer use and reading.
- If your vision is corrected for near activities, you will need glasses for distance.
- Covered by insurance and is the most common lens implanted after cataract surgery.
- Does not correct Astigmatism.
- If you have a significant degree of Astigmatism, you may still need to wear glasses.
- Most patients with a small amount of Astigmatism may still see well.
Toric Lens
- Similar to monofocal lenses, it corrects either far vision or near vision.
- Corrects Astigmatism.
- Astigmatism describes the curvature of your cornea.
- Uncorrected astigmatism causes blurred vision.
- Not covered by insurance, out-of-pocket cost.
Multifocal Lens
- Corrects both distance and near activities.
- Can correct Astigmatism if needed.
- Different types available, discuss with your doctor.
- Weak reading glasses may be needed for small print.
- Not all patients are candidates for multifocal lenses.
- Not covered by insurance, out-of-pocket cost.
Monovision Lens
- One eye is corrected for distance and the other eye is corrected for near vision.
- Trial of monovision using contact lenses is important before going ahead with this.
- Patients who have worn contact lenses with monovision correction would be good candidates.
- Covered by insurance.
Extended Depth of Focus Lens
- Offers reasonable distance and intermediate correction and also functional near vision.
- Through a particular design, these lenses work like a monofocal lens but offer an extended range of vision like a multifocal lens.
- No significant aberrations causing glare/halos and contrast de-sensitivity.
- Weak pair of reading glasses may be needed for fine print reading.
- Can correct Astigmatism.
- Not covered by insurance, out-of-pocket cost.
Outpatient Centers
Patients from all over Central Connecticut choose the Ratchford Eye Center
Medical Hours
Monday: 8:30 am - 6:45 pm
Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
Thursday: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Saturday: 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
Optical Office Hours
Monday: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm
*Hours are subject to change depending on medical facility schedule.