At Columbia Family Eye Care, we strive to provide comprehensive, primary eye care for the whole family. Preventative and routine eye exams are important to maintaining good eye health. Often, eye and vision problems do not have obvious symptoms or signs, but are easily diagnosed by a licensed optometrist. We provide comprehensive eye care including implementation of some of the most sophisticated state of the art equipment without losing the compassionate hand holding of the past. Our examinations include: Vision testing at Distance and Near, Color Vision, Depth Perception, Pupil Assessment, Side Vision, Extra-Ocular Muscles, Determination of Your Refractive State (Refraction), Prescriptions for Glasses and/or Contact Lenses, Slit Lamp Evaluation of the Anterior Segment of the Eye (Front Surface), Determination if you have Cataracts, Intra-Ocular Pressures (Glaucoma Screening Test), Dilation, Fundus Examination (Back of the eye or Retina), and Discusion of your paticular problem and the possible treatments that are available. With all of our patients we discuss the best treatment options whether it is glasses, bifocals, contacts, eye drops, or Laser Vision Correction. Along the way we perform computer evaluations of your eyes including auto-refractions, auto-keratometry and corneal topography. We can also take photos of the eyes if warranted and a computerized side vision evaluation. The American Optometric Association recommends yearly or bi-yearly eye and vision exams, depending on whether you are at-risk or not.

As part of a comprehensive eye exam, our Clarksville optometrist examines the overall health of the eye through a visual examination and tonometry. Dr. Hess evaluates eye health by visually inspecting the eye and eyelids using magnification and a bright light. To examine the internal structures of the eye, we may dilate the pupils. Increased eye pressure may be an indicator of glaucoma, so we utilize tonometry to measure eye pressure. After completing these short tests, Dr. Hess reviews the results and discusses any necessary treatment options with you.

Children's Eye Examinations

Children should have their first eye exam by a qualified eye doctor. We should not leave your childs eye care up to the schools. We provide a comprehensive eye exam that can not be substituted by a screening. Although these screenings are valuable in increasing awareness and may uncover certain problems, they are not comprehensive. Many conditions need to be evaluated and treated even before your child reaches school age. Many of these conditions need early detection and prompt treatment. Children should have their first eye exam at 6 months of age and again at 4 years old, then every year. This is recommended for many reasons. It allows us to check the health of the eye and the child's vision. Vision is important for your child to excel in school, sports, music and any other activities they enjoy. If your child cannot see their best, they cannot do their best! Eye health is also very important. We check for muscle imbalances, which if caught early on can be corrected, and accomodative problems that if not caught early enough will harm the childs ability to learn later.