FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

An ophthalmologist is an eye M.D. They specialize in eye and vision care, and provide a wide spectrum of care. They are trained and licensed to practice medicine and surgery. This includes everything from prescribing corrective lenses to treatments for common or rare eye conditions as well as delicate eye surgeries.

An optometrist specifically focuses on eye examinations and screenings for the purpose of prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses, whether they are for eyeglasses, contacts, etc. They may also prescribe medication for common eye diseases.

Atlantic Ophthalmology's Dr. Moayery is a licensed ophthalmologist and a licensed optometrist. This gives him the training, knowledge, and experience to offer a very diverse and comprehensive list of services pertaining to the eye.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine specializing in the anatomy, function and diseases of the eye. Optometry, on the other hand, is the health care profession concerned with examination, diagnosis and treatment of the eyes and related structures and with determination and correction of vision problems using lenses and other optical aids. The main difference between the two professions is an ophthalmologist has a full medical education, including extensive clinical and surgical training in the field.

You should always schedule regular eye exams because some conditions may come about without warning. Before the age of 20, you should have an eye exam as recommended by a pediatrician or eye doctor. It is also recommended to have your eyes screened at least once between the ages of 20 and 39 and then every two to four years until age 65. We suggest regular eye exams every one to two years after age 65.

Those who are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma or another severe eye condition should schedule eye exams on a more regular basis at any age (every one to two years).

Glaucoma is a condition in which the fluid that normally flows through the anterior (front) of the eye fails to drain as needed, causing added pressure on the optic nerve. The optic nerve is sensitive to trauma from pressure. Left untreated, vision deteriorates and eventually ceases.

Yes. Although anyone can be affected by glaucoma, the risk is higher for people who are nearsighted, over age 65, have a family history of glaucoma, take steroid medicines, have had past trauma to the eye, are African-American and over age 40 or have diabetes or high blood pressure.

A cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye. When a cataract worsens to the point of interfering with daily activities, it’s time to have the lens removed. Surgery is the only effective way to remove the clouded lens, and most are now done on an outpatient basis. Over 1.5 million cataract operations are performed in North America every year.

Myopia is also known as nearsightedness. When the eye is longer than normal or the cornea is steeper than normal, it causes light rays to focus short of your retina. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the complete opposite. Light rays will focus past your retina when the eye is shorter or the cornea is flatter than the norm. Astigmatism deals with the shape of the cornea. Normal eyes are rounded, much like a baseball. In a person with astigmatism, the cornea is uneven and takes on more of a shape of a football. Finally, many people over 40 may suffer from presbyopia, where the lens does not accommodate as much as it normally would, causing the need for reading glasses or bifocals.

Refractive surgery encompasses several surgical procedures developed to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. The difference in these surgeries is the method in which the surgeon accesses the deeper corneal layers. These procedures include LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), LASEK (Laser Assisted Epithelial Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy).

If your primary care physician refers you to one of our doctors for a medical reason, most health insurance policies will cover the visit. It may be a good idea for you to check with your insurance company first if you have questions about your coverage.

No. You do not need to switch eye doctors. We often perform surgery on patients referred from other doctors. After your surgery, we encourage you to see your regular eye doctor for your future eye care.