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FAQs Vision Adv. Center


What should I bring with me to my eye appointment?

If the patient wears contacts or glasses, it is recommended the patient brings the most current pair of contacts or glasses to the appointment in addition to a copy of the prescription if it is available. If the patient hasn’t filled out the patient paperwork before the scheduled appointment, please bring a form of identification (e.g. driver’s license) and an insurance card for verification of benefits.

Do you accept walk-in appointments?

Vision Advancement Center will gladly accept a same-day appointment if the schedule permits. While patients with existing appointments will have precedent over a walk-in patient, the staff at Vision Advancement Center will work with the patient to determine a timeslot that works for both Dr. Berry and the patient.

Does it cost more for a contact lens exam?

Yes. There is a fitting fee for contact lenses to accommodate the extra time and care Dr. Berry will spend with a patient to ensure the contact lens meets the patient’s needs from a vision and comfort standpoint. Please contact the staff at Vision Advancement Center for the fee amount and to answer any questions you may have.

What type of COVID precautions are practiced in your office?

Vision Advancement Center requires masks and will check the temperature of both the patient and any guests of the patient upon entry to the facility. Whenever possible, appointments are scheduled to minimize overlap between patients and to maintain as much social distance as possible.

Dr. Berry will wear a mask throughout the exam and all equipment and high-touch surfaces are cleaned in between each patient. Vision Advancement is also professionally cleaned on a regular basis to ensure all high-touch surfaces, bathrooms, and common areas are disinfected and cleaned for use by patients and staff.

My eye is suddenly red and irritated/painful, what should I do?

First don’t panic! Call the staff at Vision Advancement Center to determine if you need an appointment to evaluate and treat your condition. A red eye could be caused by something as simple as allergies, however, it could also be caused by a sight-threatening ailment. It is always recommended to err on the side of caution and contact Vision Advancement Center and Dr. Berry as soon as a suspected issue arises.

How do I know if I have Dry Eye?

Common symptoms of dry eye include: burning/stinging, gritty/sandy feeling, watery eyes, mild redness, and difficulty wearing contacts to name a few. Dry eye can be caused by many things, such as medications, systemic conditions (e.g. Sjogrens), environment, and contact lens wear. With a complete dry eye evaluation, Dr. Berry and the staff at Vision Advancement Center will be able to determine the cause and move forward with the best treatment options for the particular patient.

At what age should my children start having eye examinations and how often?

The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends children to be seen by an optometrist as early as 6 months of age. This should be followed by an exam at 3 years old, and again at 5 years old before the child starts school. Dr. Berry is able to see children as young as 1 month old, especially if the parents have concerns about the child’s eyes or there is a medical condition that needs to be addressed.

I think my vision is just fine, why do I need an annual eye exam?

Routine eye exams are important, regardless of your age or physical health. During a complete eye exam, Dr. Berry will not only determine your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but will also check your eyes for common eye diseases, assess how your eyes work together as a team, and evaluate your eyes as an indicator of your overall health.

Is it okay to sleep in my contacts?

Sleeping in contacts is not recommended because it significantly increases the risk of an eye infection. While sleeping, contact lenses deprive the eyes of oxygen, thus decreasing the eyes’ ability to fight bacterial infection. However, there is a brand of contact lenses approved by the FDA for wear while sleeping. Dr. Berry can determine if a contact lens suitable for wear at night is the right solution for the patient through a contact lens evaluation.

Why is it that I have seen clearly all my life and now I am having trouble reading the newspaper or magazines?

As people age, eyes develop a condition called presbyopia. Presbyopia is the gradual loss of the ability to focus your eyes on objects that are up close. This is a naturally occurring process that can be frustrating. Luckily, there are many glasses and contact lens options to help improve vision for everyday activities. Vision Advancement Center has many contact lens and glasses options on-site to help mitigate the impact of presbyopia.