Adult Eye Care

At Columbia Eye Associates, we offer comprehensive eye care services for adults. We aim to ensure the best possible vision and eye health for all our adult patients.

Our Adult Eye Care Services

Double Vision (Diplopia)

Diplopia, commonly known as double vision, occurs when a person sees two images of a single object. This condition can affect one or both eyes and may appear as images stacked on top of one another or side by side. Diplopia may be temporary or a sign of more serious underlying health issues. It is important to address this condition promptly, as it can interfere with everyday activities such as driving
or reading.

Cranial Nerve Palsies Affecting Eye Movement

Cranial nerve palsies occur when one or more of the cranial nerves become damaged, affecting movement or sensation in areas such as the face or eyes. The cranial nerves are responsible for a wide range of functions, including muscle control, sensory processing, and even vision management.
This condition can cause various symptoms, including drooping eyelids, double vision, or difficulty with facial expressions. We understand the importance of promptly diagnosing and treating cranial nerve palsies to prevent further complications and improve quality of life.

Vision Loss After Stroke or Brain Injury

Vision loss following a stroke or brain injury can be a life-changing experience. It can affect a person’s ability to perform daily tasks and cause frustration or anxiety. This type of vision loss is often linked to brain damage and can impact different areas of sight.
Understanding the different types of visual changes and how they affect individuals after such an event is important. Columbia Eye Associates is here to help you navigate this challenge and restore your quality of life for yourself or your loved one.

Demyelinating Disorders Affecting Vision

Eye conditions can impact both children and adults, and their causes may include genetics, hormone changes, injury, lifestyle factors, and other health issues. If left untreated, many of these conditions can lead to vision loss and other complications.

Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves’ Eye Disease)

Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), also called Graves' Orbitopathy, is an autoimmune condition that affects the tissues around the eyes. It often occurs in people who have thyroid issues, especially hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease.

The condition causes inflammation and swelling in the muscles around the eyes, which can lead to various symptoms, including bulging eyes, dryness, and visual problems. Columbia Eye Associates understands how distressing these symptoms can be and are here to help diagnose and treat this condition with personalized care.

Orbital (Eye Socket) Fractures

Strabismus Re-Operation & Revision Surgery

Strabismus surgery corrects eye misalignment, often significantly improving appearance and vision. However, sometimes, the first surgery does not fully correct the misalignment, or complications may arise.

In such cases, a second surgery, or re-operation, may be required to refine the eye alignment. This procedure is done when the initial surgery does not achieve the desired results or when issues arise post-surgery.

Strabismus in Adults

TempSure Envi Treatment

TempSure Envi is a non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment designed to combat the visible signs of aging and enhance the overall appearance of your skin. This innovative procedure uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production, tightening and smoothing the skin.

Adult Strabismus: What You Need to Know

Many adults with strabismus (crossed or wandering eye) or amblyopia (poor vision in one eye) still experience issues as they age. While strabismus is often treated in childhood, it can persist or return in adulthood. That's why adult patients with these conditions benefit from seeing a pediatric ophthalmologist.

Pediatric ophthalmologists specialize in ocular motility disorders and offer both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Adults who develop double vision or misalignment later in life should consult a pediatric ophthalmologist to diagnose the underlying issue. Conditions like stroke, autoimmune disease, thyroid dysfunction, or cancer can all contribute to these disorders, and treatment can help improve the patient’s quality of life.

What to Expect During Your Visit

When you come in for an eye exam, please bring your current glasses or contact lenses and a list of medications you take. This helps us keep your medical record up to date.

If you've booked a comprehensive eye exam, please allow 60 to 90 minutes for the visit, as we will need to dilate your eyes. Here’s what you can expect from a standard eye exam:

Medical History: We will ask about your eye and general health to get a complete picture.
Visual Acuity: We’ll check your ability to see at various distances.
Refraction Test: This checks if you need glasses to achieve your best vision.
Pupil Response: We will examine how your pupils react to light.
Peripheral Vision: This tests if you have any loss in your side vision.
Slit Lamp Exam: This allows us to look at the health of the front part of your eye, including your cornea.
Intraocular Pressure: We will check your eye pressure to see if it’s at a normal level.

Dilated Eye Exam

As part of the comprehensive exam, we will dilate your eyes to get a better view of the inside and back of your eye. This helps us examine your retina, optic nerve, and lens health. Consider bringing a driver with you, as dilation can make driving to your next destination difficult.

Additional tests, such as visual field testing or high-resolution scans, may be performed depending on your results. These tests help us understand your eye health in more detail.

Post-Exam Instructions

After dilation, you may experience light sensitivity and difficulty seeing clearly for a few hours. To make this more comfortable, we offer disposable sunglasses or dark inserts for your glasses. We recommend not driving or operating heavy machinery until your vision returns to normal.

Please have someone drive you home after the exam, or wait until you feel comfortable enough to drive safely.

Eye health is important to us, and we strive to make every exam a thorough and informative experience. Please contact us if you have any questions about your exam or results. Our team is happy to help.