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Comprehensive Eye Examinations
Your comprehensive eye examination will include an assessment of your visual status to ensure a prescription that will provide your best visual performance. Recommendations will be made regarding your eyewear for general purpose wear, sun wear and specialty wear (including sports, leisure and occupational needs) when appropriate. In addition, an evaluation of your ocular health status will be completed and includes glaucoma and cataract detection, as well as screening for retinal diseases such as macular degeneration.
Eyewear
At Personal Eyecare we offer frames to suit any style.
From elegant to casual.
From sophisticated to funky.
Can't decide on a style?
Try them all, because just like shoes one pair is never enough!
Tired of the same old frames? Wish your frames didn't look like everybody else's?
Then it's time to add a little spice to your life with colorful frames from Koali. These frames add a bit of European style to your eyewear look.
Looking for trendy eyewear?
From generic to designer we have the frames for you. Stop in and see the latest styles from Fendi, Koali, Calvin Klein and Coach. Or perhaps "no name" suits you better. At Personal Eyecare we have them all.
Parents, are you looking for a great selection of pediatric eyewear?
At Personal Eyecare we have over 100 frames for your kids to choose from. Each comes with a 2-Year Frame & Lens Warranty, and many complete eyewear packages start at $159!
Did you know sports related eye injuries are the most common cause of vision loss in children?
Don't forget the most important part of your child's sports gear - high tech sport frames, now with tinted lenses (which are great for outdoor sports).
Contact Lenses
Your Eye Health & Contact Lenses
Whether you are considering contact lenses to be free of heavy or bothersome glasses, for sports and recreation, or just for looks you've made the right choice by contacting Personal Eyecare. Our clinical team is dedicated to fulfilling your contact lens expectations. We take pride in providing our patients with the most advanced contact lens analysis and design techniques to ensure a lifetime of healthy vision and comfortable lens wear.
Because contact lenses are a medical device regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, it is imperative that we focus our design and follow-up care to promote excellent corneal health of our contact lens wearing patients. Did you know the cornea is the only tissue in the body that receives oxygen directly from the atmosphere? This is a little known fact to most patients, but the most important factor in long term success with contact lenses. The amount of oxygen that gets to the cornea is reduced by wearing contact lenses, and in some cases can result in irreversible corneal damage. Early changes rarely cause pain or visual disturbance and can only be diagnosed when viewed microscopically.
Your Contact Lens Design and Follow-up Schedule
Once a comprehensive eye examination has been accomplished, and the doctor is convinced that your eyes are in excellent health, and you are a good candidate for contact lens wear - design services begin. In many cases we can perform the design services on the same day. For more complex prescriptions and specialty lenses it may be necessary to have you return on another day for this service. All new contact lens patients are seen for a minimum of 1 or 2 office visits following the initial design and evaluation appointment. A careful corneal health check is performed at each follow-up visit, and then once annually after successful lens wear has been established.
Your Prescription and Contact Lenses
With today's advanced technology most prescriptions are available in contact lenses- from nearsighted and farsighted corrections to astigmatism and bifocals. While lenses can be made in nearly all prescriptions, not every patient has the necessary corneal attributes to sustain comfortable lens wear. You will find that the clinical staff at Personal EyeCare has a 'can do' attitude when it comes to complicated prescriptions. If your motivation to wear lenses matches our willingness to go the extra mile in contact lens design, we can't help but succeed.
When You've Been Told Previously That You Can't Wear Contacts
Unless there is a medical diagnosis that prevents a patient from wearing contact lenses, it's unlikely that you won't be able to wear contact lenses. All too often we meet patients who have been told for years that they can't wear contacts, and we usually find that these patients simply have a more complex prescription. This complexity means you probably can't wear the lenses available 'just off the shelf'. Success can usually be achieved with a specialty lens design or custom product. At Personal EyeCare we cater to the needs of anyone interested in wearing contact lenses, and will work diligently so that you might enjoy the benefits of a glasses free world. We carry a diverse inventory of diagnostic lenses and never hesitate to special order a lens we may not have on hand.
The Lens That's Right for You
Since there are so many lenses available, your final lens will be designed by the doctor after evaluating the health of your eyes and assessing your lifestyle needs in detail. You may want to consider options such as overnight wear, tinted lenses to change your eye color, or lenses you wear for a day and throw away.
For more information, Click Here.
Are There Risks With Contacts?
The most common complications with contact lenses include corneal changes due to hypoxia (low oxygen), higher incidence of eye infections, and allergic reactions. Most of these complications are the result of:
Over wearing contact lenses
Poor cleaning habits
Ignoring potential warning signs, such as discomfort, redness, itching or light sensitivity
Each of these is related to your willingness to take care of your eyes and lenses as instructed. Disinfect your lenses daily, do not exceed the recommended wearing schedule, and remove the lenses and call Personal Eyecare at the first sign of a problem. Clearly, you can see that unless there is a medical reason to prevent it, anyone motivated to do so can try contact lenses. If your chances of success seem low the doctor will tell you that up front and you can decide if you would still like to proceed. If you are concerned you might not like the feel of contacts in your eyes, don't worry -- there is no obligation to proceed. In fact, we will be happy to put a pair of lenses in your eyes for a 'test drive' so that you can make a more informed decision.
Guaranteed Success Program
We are so confident you will love contact lenses we will buy back the materials within 30 days of your dispensing visit if you are not completely delighted.*
We know there is a difference in contact lens care and follow-up. We are committed to offering our patients the highest quality services in a friendly and caring atmosphere. We invite you to join our family of patients soon and experience the difference.
Contact Lenses
The types of contact lenses available have exploded in the past few years, making contact lenses that fit almost anyone. No matter what your vision needs, there is probably a contact lens perfect for you. Even if you've tried contact lenses unsuccessfully in the past, you should stop in to see what's new. We carry many options, and we'll do our best to fit you with contact lenses that you'll love wearing.
Disposable Soft Lenses
Disposable soft lenses are much more popular than conventional soft lenses. These lenses are worn for a period of time then, of course, thrown away. The most well known disposables are two-week disposables which last two weeks. There are also one-month and one-day disposables or "dailies". Dailies are perfect for many patients who were told they couldn't wear contact lenses because of allergies or mild dry eye conditions. They have a low cost per lens and are also popular for athletes and hobbyists who don't necessarily want to wear contact lenses every day.
Tinted Soft Lenses
Next, you have tinted soft lenses, available in conventional, disposable, or frequent replacement types. With tinted soft lenses, you can change your eye color or enhance your eye color. Even if you don't need corrective lenses, you can use "plano" tinted lenses to change your eye color.
Bifocal Soft Lenses
Recent technology has greatly improved bifocal soft lenses. Many patients past their 40s who need bifocals can now enjoy the comfort and benefits of soft contact lenses.
Toric Soft Lenses
Toric lenses are used to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a vision condition where an irregularly shaped cornea affects the vision. In the past, if you had astigmatism, your only options were either glasses or hard gas permeable contact lenses. But toric lenses now offer an alternative. There are several types of toric lenses to choose from.
Extended Wear Soft Lenses
Extended wear lenses are the result of new technology in lens materials that transmit more oxygen to the cornea of the eye. Some of these lens materials can be worn up to 30 days, day and night, without removal. Extended wear lenses can last one week, two weeks, or one month, depending upon the lens material and your doctor's recommendations.
Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
As the name implies, these lenses are hard and gas permeable. If you've been told you can't wear soft lenses, RGP lenses are often a great alternative. RGP lenses are available in specialized designs to correct just about any vision disorder.
Laser Vision Correction
Dr. Roxanna Potter and Personal Eyecare are pleased to be your information resource for Laser Vision Correction. Dr Potter provides consultations for patients considering refractive surgery. She is an associate of The Eye Center of Toledo and TLC Laser Eye Centers. She not only assists patients in the early stages of consideration by answering their questions about Laser Vision Correction, and their candidacy; but is actively involved in her patients pre and post-operative management. This assures you that the doctor that is most familiar with your ocular history will be continuing as your eye doctor as you proceed through treatment and recovery.
Dr. Potter has chosen to affiliate with The Eye Center of Toledo and TLC Laser Eye Centers because of the reputation of the surgeons and facilities. TLC provides patients with a lifetime guarantee following the surgical procedure, and most importantly patients have access to 60 different TLC Centers throughout the country making access to follow-up easy - even if you move away from the Toledo area.
The Eye Center of Toledo is the only center in the region to offer the LADARVISION Eye Tracker. This new technology allows for a more precise medical procedure, because you no longer have to worry about keeping your eye still during surgery.
If you are interested in Laser Vision Correction, call our office to make an appointment to determine if you are a candidate for this exciting alternative to traditional glasses and contact lenses. For additional information about The Eye Center of Toledo or TLC Laser Eye Centers visit their websites at: www.eyecenteroftoledo.com & www.tlcvision.com
Paragon CRT Corneal Refractive Therapy
You just woke up from a restful night's sleep. But as you start your day, you notice something different. You can see without your glasses or contacts. And you haven't had surgery. Well, you're not dreaming. You're just experiencing Corneal Refractive Therapy with new Paragon CRT - nighttime vision correction that gives you freedom from glasses and contacts all day without refractive surgery.
Paragon CRT is a specially designed therapeutic contact lens that gently and temporarily reshapes the cornea while you sleep. Through intense research and clinical testing, Paragon CRT has been proven both safe and effective for patients of all ages when worn during sleeping hours, earning this therapy FDA approval for nighttime use. The result for you is great vision 24 hours a day - without the lenses during waking hours and while they're in at night - with correction of myopia (nearsightedness) and myopia with astigmatism.
The staff at Personal Eyecare is excited to provide this new technology to our patients. Dr. Potter has been certified by the FDA to design and fit the Paragon CRT therapeutic lens appliances. She is one of approximately 50 doctors in the state of Ohio who are currently able to deliver this new breakthrough in lens design to you. To find out if you would benefit from CRT, and to determine if you are a candidate please call our office for an appointment.
For more information please call or email our office.
Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, Dry Eyes
Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office at 419-885-5300 during office hours or in the event of an eye emergency. Our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art microscopes allow us to examine the front surface of the eye and facial areas around the eye for infection or injury. After assessing the extent of the injury or infection a treatment plan will be formulated and explained to you. Treatment may include medications and supportive care. Follow-up visits to monitor your recovery will be scheduled as needed.
Dry Eyes: Symptoms include scratchy eyes, burning, mild redness and gritty feeling eyes. Oral medications, reading, computer tasks and dry environments may aggravate marginally dry eyes. Dry eyes can be diagnosed by using dyes to observe tear patterns, evaluation of the amount of tears on the front of the eye and from review of your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears; eye drops for treating allergies; and/or punctal plugs inserted in the tear drainage canals.
Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes
Our top priority is the care of your eyes. We want to keep your eyes healthy through regular exams, communication, and education. This page lists a few of the most common eye diseases.
Blepharitis
There are two types of blepharitis. Seborrheic blepharitis is often part of an overall skin condition of seborrhea, which may also affect the scalp, chest, back and the area behind the ears. The second form of blepharitis - staph blepharitis - is a more severe condition, caused by bacteria, that begins in childhood and may continue through adulthood.
Causes
Hormones, nutrition, general physical condition, and even stress may contribute to seborrheic blepharitis. Build-ups of naturally occurring bacteria contribute to staph blepharitis.
Symptoms
Blepharitis could be described as dandruff of the eyelids. Seborrheic blepharitis results in redness of the eyelids, flaking and scaling of eyelashes, and greasy, waxy scales caused by abnormal tear production. Staph blepharitis can cause small ulcers, loss of eyelashes, eyelid scarring, and even red eye.
Treatment
Careful cleaning of the eyelids can reduce seborrheic blepharitis. Application of hot packs to the eyes for 20 minutes a day can also help. Staph blepharitis may require antibiotic drops and ointments.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a cloudiness that occurs in the lens of the eye. The lens is made mostly of water and protein arranged to let light through.
Sometimes the protein clumps, blocking light and making the lens appear cloudy.
Symptoms
A person with cataracts may encounter faded colors, problems with light (such as halos, or headlights that seem too bright), poor night vision, double vision, or multiple vision.
Treatment
Your eye doctor can detect the presence of cataracts through a thorough eye exam, including a visual acuity test and dilation of the pupils. Treatment is available to prevent or reduce cataracts.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, is a redness of the eye. It is often accompanied by a discharge (clear, yellow, or white) and itching in the eye.
Causes
Pink eye is most often a viral infection, but may also be caused by bacteria or allergic reaction. The viral pink eye is highly contagious.
Prevention and Treatment
To avoid spreading conjunctivitis, wash your hands often, don't touch the infected area with your hands, don't share wash cloths or towels, and avoid using makeup which may become contaminated. A child with pink eye should be kept from school for a few days. Sometimes an eye doctor will need to prescribe antibiotic eye drops and ointments to remove conjunctivitis.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition associated with diabetes. High levels of blood sugar may damage tiny blood vessels in your eye. New vessels may form to replace the damaged vessels. The new vessels can burst, resulting in blurred vision or even blindness.
Symptoms
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:
"Floaters" - small specks that pass across your field of vision, made up of cells floating in the transparent gel of your eyeball
Difficulty reading or seeing things close-up
Sudden loss of vision
Flashes
Blurred or darkened vision
Risk Factors and Treatment
If you have diabetes, make sure you control your blood sugar level. This will reduce your risk of getting diabetic retinopathy. If you are experiencing some of the symptoms listed above, give us a call. If diagnosed properly, diabetic retinopathy can be treated with a laser procedure or a vitrectomy.
Dry Eye Syndrome
If your eyes are constantly itchy or dry, you may have dry eye syndrome, which affects almost 10 million Americans. Dry eye syndrome is caused by a lack of, or poor quality of, tears. Tears lubricate the outer layer of the eye, called the cornea. If the tears are not composed of a proper balance of mucous, water, and oil, the eye becomes irritated.
Symptoms
Dry eye syndrome leads to a number of symptoms, including itching, irritation, burning, excessive tearing, redness, blurred vision that improves with blinking, and discomfort after long periods of watching television, using a computer, or reading.
Risk Factors
There are many factors that can contribute to dry eye syndrome. These include dry, hot, or windy climates, high altitudes, air-conditioned rooms, and cigarette smoke. Contact lens wearers, people with drier skin, and the elderly are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome. You may also be more at risk if you take certain medications, have a thyroid condition, a vitamin-A deficiency, Parkinson's or Sjorgen's disease, or if you are a woman going through menopause.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a very common eye disorder affecting millions of Americans. It is caused by too much pressure on the inside of the eye. Fluid in your eyes helps to nourish and cleanse the inside of your eyes by constantly flowing in and out. When the fluid is prevented from flowing out, the intraocular pressure builds and damages the optic nerve. This causes a gradual loss in vision.
Symptoms
Those suffering from open-angle glaucoma experience a type of tunnel vision, where their field of vision gradually decreases. It can eventually lead to blindness. Narrow-angle glaucoma, which is rare, carries symptoms of sharp pain in the eyes, blurred vision, dilated pupils, and even nausea or vomiting. It can cause blindness in a matter of days, and requires immediate medical attention.
Risk Factors
Heredity seems to be a risk factor. Also, you may be at greater risk if you are over 45, of African descent, near-sighted, or diabetic. Finally, if you have used steroids or cortizone for a long period of time, or if you have suffered an eye injury in the past, you have a greater chance of developing glaucoma.
Recommended Links
Glaucoma Research Foundation
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is a disease which affects a small area of the retina known as the macula. The macula is a specialized spot on the retina that allows us to see fine detail of whatever is directly in front of us. Macular degeneration occurs when the macula begins to deteriorate.
Focus on "Wet" vs. "Dry"
Most often, macular degeneration is accompanied by formation of yellow deposits called "drusen" under the macula, which dry out or thin the macula. This is called "dry" macular degeneration. In rare cases, abnormal blood vessels develop under the macula and leak fluid. This is called "wet" macular degeneration.
Causes
A number of uncontrollable factors contribute to macular degeration, including age, sex, eye color, farsightedness, and race. Risk factors you can control include smoking, high blood pressure, exposure to harmful sunlight, and diet.
Symptoms
It is difficult to detect dry macular degeneration in early stages. The most common symptoms, when detected, include a spot of blurry vision, dark vision, or distorted vision. Wet macular degeneration acts much faster when it occurs. Both forms of macular degeneration can cause blindness.
Treatment
Currently, there is no cure for macular degeneration, but treatment is available to slow the effects.
Recommended Links
Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.
Retinal Detachment
The part of the eye which collects light and transmits the light messages to the optic nerve and brain is the retina. It lines the inner back wall of the eye. When the retina separates from the back wall, it is known as retinal detachment. It is a serious condition which can cause permanent damage and vision loss if not treated quickly.
Symptoms
A retinal detachment will result in a sudden defect in your vision. It may just cause a blind spot too small to notice, or it may cause a noticeable shadow which obscures your vision. An increase in "floaters," which look like small particles or fine threads, may also be noticed. Finally, flashes of light are associated with retinal detachment.
Risk Factors
Eye injuries, tumors, and cataract surgery can cause retinal detachment. Near-sighted individuals and the elderly are at greater risk for spontaneous detachment. Also, diabetic retinopathy, a condition associated with diabetes, can cause bleeding which leads to retinal detachment.
Insurance
Personal Eyecare strives to keep informed about the many different insurance plans available to our patients. We are a participating provider for many vision and major medical insurance plans. When you arrive at our office we will ask you for information regarding both - your vision plan and your major medical plan. This is necessary because many of our services are not covered by basic vision plans, but are covered by your major medical carrier. This can sometimes be confusing because most patients don't realize there is a difference between insurance types.
Basic Vision Plan Coverage
Vision Service Plan (VSP) is an example of a vision plan. A basic vision plan provides your family with coverage for an eye examination at a pre-determined interval set by your employer in conjunction with the vision plan administrators. This coverage is usually available to you once every 12 or 24 months. Most of these plans provide coverage for an eye examination, and some benefit towards glasses or contact lenses. The specific benefits vary by individual contracts.
Major Medical Insurance Coverage
In the course of your examination we may discover that you have an eye condition with a medical diagnosis, such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, lazy eye, ocular migraines, or dry eyes. Because these conditions are related to your general health and sometimes require specific additional tests they must be billed to your medical carrier, rather than your vision plan. In some cases a referral is necessary prior to accomplishing the additional testing.
Insurance Plans
We participate with many insurance carriers. If you don't see your insurance carrier listed here please call the office (419-885-5300) and we'll be happy to assist you in determining your eyecare benefits.
Vision Service Plan
Medicare
Paramount Healthcare
Family Health Plan
Aetna
Medical Mutual
United Health Care
EyeMed
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