Cheaha Eye Associate Services in Talladega

Comprehensive Vision and Eye Health Examinations

Regular eye exams are an invaluable tool in maintaining healthy eyes by detecting and preventing disease. Some diseases develop slowly without causing pain or vision loss. Early detection of any problems can reduce the risk of further harm and allow for a choice of treatment options. The entire exam process can take an hour depending on the complexity of your problems.  You will be evaluated with a refraction, slit lamp, intraocular pressure and full retinal exam.  Further diagnostic testing such as optic nerve imaging and computerized visual field testing may also be done, if indicated by your doctor's findings.

Optical Department

For those patients needing glasses or contact lenses, we offer a complete optical department. Since your prescription can be filled at the same place it was written, you will not only save time and travel, you will also have the security of knowing the doctor who wrote the prescription is available to answer questions. Our office is staffed with experienced frames stylists who specialize in high fashion eyewear and carry an assortment of designer frames.

Contact Lens Examinations

Thanks to the advances in optical technology, almost everyone is a candidate for contact lens use. This includes patients with astigmatism and also those who prefer bifocal or multifocal lenses. At Cheaha Eye Associates, we offer a comprehensive array of contact lenses to suit each individual patient's needs. We offer daily disposables, extended wear soft lenses to gas permeable contact lenses. We offer regular and custom lens service for both healthy and difficult to fit patients.

Diabetic and Hypertension Examinations

Everyone with diabetes needs to have an annual dilated examination of the retina. The eyes are a window to what is happening in the rest of the body in relationship to diabetic or hypertension vascular disease. Baseline retinal photography as well as scanning laser technology improves our ability to diagnose and document diabetic retinopathy. Patients who are conscientious about getting their annual dilated exam are much more likely to be aware of their condition and to be motivated to control blood sugars and/or blood pressure.

Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye associated with slow, progressive loss of peripheral vision. Although there are many types of glaucoma, "open angle glaucoma" is the most common. The most important risk factors include age, race, elevated eye pressure, family history of glaucoma, and other systemic health problems such as diabetes. Other types of glaucoma are less common, such as narrow angle glaucoma, and can be detected by a thorough eye examination. We consider many factors before deciding whether you need treatment for glaucoma, or whether you should be monitored closely as a glaucoma suspect. Our glaucoma evaluation includes measuring your intraocular pressure, the thickness of your cornea, and inspecting the drainage angle of your eye. We also evaluate whether or not there is any optic nerve damage, test the peripheral vision of each eye (visual field testing), and perform computerized imaging. The key to successful management is early detection and regular follow-up examination. Once diagnosed with glaucoma, therapy usually includes drops, but may also involve specialized glaucoma surgery, including laser.

Treatment of Eye Infections and Allergies

Conjunctivitis is a term that is used to describe a broad range of conditions. Conjunctivitis, the inflammation and sometimes infection of the conjunctiva (the white of the eye) can be caused by bacteria, viruses, allergies, or exposure to toxic chemicals. Cheaha Eye Associates routinely diagnoses and treats conjunctivitis.

Pre and Post Operative Care for Refractive Surgery (LASIK)

Refractive surgery has been enthusiastically embraced by thousands of patients in Alabama. Most of the care provided for refractive surgery patients happens, not with the surgeon, but with Cheaha Eye Associates both before and after surgery. The success of the surgery is very much dependent on careful evaluation of refractive stability and corneal health. Multiple visits to Cheaha Eye Associates prior to refractive surgery allow the surgeon greater accuracy in the surgery itself. Post-operative care is also provided for one year after surgery including a comprehensive examination at the end of the first year. Much care is taken to insure the best possible outcome for our patients. Drs. Pickrell and Pyron routinely co-manage LASIK cases. For more information visit click here.

Visual Acuity Testing and Refraction

Your near and distant vision in both eyes is assessed and the correct lens power for best vision is determined.

Eye Muscle Coordination Testing

Your eye muscle control is tested to ensure your eyes are working together. This is often overlooked for reading difficulty in children. Computer games and eye exercises can be found here.

Eye Focus Testing

The ability of your eyes to focus from far to near is tested. Eye focus games and exercises can be found at here.