Comprehensive Primary Eyecare

Your eyesight is one of your most precious senses, and protecting it should be a top priority. Your everyday activities, and even your safety, depend on maintaining good vision. It is estimated that one person becomes blind every 11 minutes due to injury, aging, or disease. A proactive approach of early detection and treatment can prevent the occurrence of half of these tragedies. Many eye diseases develop slowly without symptoms, so a yearly eye exam is the most crucial step to ensure that problems are caught early.

Perhaps you think that your eye doctor is only evaluating your eyes for glasses and contacts during your examination. He/she will also be looking for eye diseases as well as other health issues. Your eyes are an indicator of your overall general health, and many times other health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, may manifest symptoms in the eyes before showing up in other parts of the body.

Five Good Reasons You Should See Your Eye Doctor Regularly

1. Comprehensive Eye Exams Save Sight

Many serious vision problems are symptom-free and go undetected until it’s too late. With a dilated comprehensive eye examination, the doctor is able to exam your eye health as well as your need for glasses. Remember, the key to saving sight is with early detection and treatment.

2. Proactive Care for Aging Eyes

Ninety percent of people over 45 years of age need corrective lenses; many for the first time due to their inability to see things up close. Cataracts can be slow growing and affect vision in such a gradual way that you don’t even realize that you have lost vision. Half of all people with glaucoma risk permanent damage because they are unaware they have it. And diabetics with diabetic retinopathy are asymptomatic at the most treatable stage. A yearly comprehensive eye exam can determine whether you have any of these problems and if treatment is needed.

3. Importance of Kid Care

While parents recognize the value of routine dental care, quite often they underestimate the importance of testing their child’s vision. One in four children have an undiagnosed vision problem and since 80 percent of all learning is through the visual system, decreased vision can significantly affect educational and sports performance. Many times, children will not complain of vision problems simply because they don't know what "normal" vision looks like. We recommend a child have their first eye exam by age 3, and then just before they enter kindergarten. Of course, any child performing poorly at school should have an eye exam to rule out an underlying visual cause.

4. New Procedures and Technology

The eyecare industry is constantly advancing and improving. There are many wonderful new technologies now available for conditions that we may have been unable to treat in the past. Since your vision is among the most valued of all senses, it’s time well spent to have an eye examination as part of your yearly health schedule.

5. Your Eyes are an Indicator of Overall Health

Your eyes can tell a lot about the overall health of your entire body. During a comprehensive eye exam, we look for signs of potential medical conditions. Through dilated pupils, an eye doctor can reveal the presence of undiagnosed hypertension, multiple sclerosis, strokes, diabetes, kidney problems, and even brain tumors. Find out more in our patient education section.

To schedule an eye examination appointment, contact The Eye Associates via email or call us at (941) 792-2020 or toll free 1-866-865-2020.

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Community Vision Screenings

The Eye Associates' Vision Screening Team offers free screenings for distance vision and glaucoma. There’s no question that good eyesight is one of your most valuable senses. Everyday activities as well as your safety depend on being able to see well. However, aging and disease can rob you of your vision, sometimes silently and without symptoms. That’s why The Eye Associates offers free vision screenings and lectures to educate the public about eyecare and how to keep the eyes healthy.

The Vision Screening Team will travel to businesses and communities to perform the following FREE services

  • Distance vision screenings
  • Glaucoma pressure screenings - no dilation required

Thousands of people have taken advantage of this sight-saving service through their homeowner's association or place of employment.

For information on making a reservation to have the Vision Screening Team visit your area or place of business, please contact The Eye Associates today or call Pam at (941) 737-0861.

Mobile Vision Services

Alisha Johnson, O.D.

Board Certified Optometrist

Geriatric Vision Care Specialist

Mobile Vision Specialist providing Comprehensive Eye Examinations, Treatment and Eyeglasses in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, as well as the Sun City Community.

Good vision plays a primary role in the physical well being and safety of our loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities by helping to prevent falls. It is also important for mental health by allowing them to stay in touch with the world and enjoy life. Annual eye exams aid in preventing loss of vision and help your loved ones maintain a good quality of life.

As you may have experienced in the past, transportation of residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to the eye doctor’s office can be difficult, time consuming, as well as tiring to the resident. This is especially true of individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. With our Mobile Vision Services, Dr. Alisha Johnson is able to provide in-house eye exams within the convenience of the resident’s own surroundings with the use of portable equipment, and a limited selection of frames.

Dr. Alisha Johnson is a dream come true for both The Eye Associates and the non-ambulatory residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. She brings with her a unique set of skills and expertise in providing much needed eyecare for people unable to venture out. Her caring manner and exceptional patience, paired with her quick smile, brightens up her patients’ lives. She feels that her mobile vision service is especially important for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. For those individuals who may not be able to communicate well, eye exams can alert families of problems that could cause them unspoken discomfort.

If you would like more information about our Mobile Vision Services at The Eye Associates, call Joanne at 941-792-2020 ext 2205 or toll free 1-866-865-2020.

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Clinical Research Studies

Richard E. Hector, MD, F.A.C.S.

Principal Investigator of Clinical Studies

The Eye Associates feels that it’s important to always be on the cutting edge of new technology. Our physicians and staff routinely attend national educational meetings and workshops in order to learn about the latest treatments for our patients. Because of this, The Eye Associates has been chosen to participate in many clinical studies in order to advance eye-related research and bring the latest treatments to patients.

Dr. Richard Hector, our Fellowship Trained Corneal and Dry Eye Specialist and Principal Investigator of Clinical Studies, is presently conducting a pharmaceutical company-sponsored research study of an investigational medication to develop a new treatment for dry eyes.

In the United States, millions of people suffer from chronic dry eye syndrome, a condition in which the symptoms include always feeling like something is in the eye, sensitivity to bright light, dryness, burning, and itching. If left untreated, the surface of the eye can become damaged. Many chronic dry eye sufferers have found little relief from over-the-counter eye drops and other prescription medications. Now, Dr. Hector and other researchers are investigating a possible new medication that targets the underlying causes of dry eye, rather than just the symptoms themselves.

Dr. Hector is looking for people with dry eye symptoms that are non-responsive to traditional treatments to participate in this ongoing clinical study. If you have suffered from dry eyes for six months or more, you may be eligible to participate in the medical research study evaluating an investigational dry eye medication. Qualified participants will receive a study-related medical evaluation and study medication at no cost. Also, participates may qualify for compensation.

For more information about this clinical research study, please contact The Eye Associates today.

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Hearing Clinic

Under the direction of:
Bud Waldmann, MA
Licensed & ASHA Certified Audiologist
30 years experiance

  • Hearing loss affects over 30 million Americans.
  • Over 80% of people with hearing loss go undiagnosed and remain untreated.

You asked for it, and we listened! The Eye Associates has added a Hearing Clinic to its host of patient care services.

Hearing services offered at our Pointe West office:
Full Diagnostic Evaluations
Custom Modifications of Hearing Aids
Free Servicing of Most Models of Hearing Aids
     Including:
       Check for wax
       Replacement tubing
       Battery compartment cleaning
Sale of hearing aid batteries

30 day, money back guarantee

Bud's goal is to provide you with exceptional care by customizing an affordable hearing solution that fits your lifestyle and expectations. By using the most sophisticated testing equipment, we are now able to diagnose your hearing condition and provide you with a hearing aid that is so tiny, it is almost invisible. From custom fit to ready-to-wear (new open fit) models, your hearing aids from The Eye Associates will provide you the best in digital clarity, modern design and wearable comfort.

Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you avoid crowded places because of difficulty hearing conversations?
- Do you have ringing or other noises in your ears?
- Do you have difficulty understanding women or young children?
- Have others told you that you don’t seem to hear?
- Do others complain that you watch TV with the volume too high?
- Do you frequently have to ask others to repeat themselves?
- In everyday conversations, does it seem like people are mumbling?
- Do you have trouble determining where sounds originate from?

If you answered yes to one or more of the questions above, contact us or call 941-792-2020 to schedule your hearing screening with our Licensed & ASHA Certifies Audiologist Bud Waldmann, today!

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Dermatology Services at The Eye Associates in Ellenton

David Bracciano, M.D.

All adults should have a yearly Dermatology skin examination to detect skin cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. That is why we provide preventative skin cancer examinations, patient education, and dermatological treatments for patients of all ages. Dr. David Bracciano, at The Eye Associates is now providing Medical Dermatology services to Ellenton and the surrounding areas. He, along with our highly trained staff, will provide you with the best possible care.

Dr. David Bracciano is providing diagnosis and treatment for these common skin conditions, including:

  • Skin Cancer
  • Acne
  • Eczema           
  • Psoriasis
  • Rosacea
  • Dermatitis
  • Rash, Itchy Skin
  • Nail Fungus
  • Cysts, Moles
  • Non-healing Lesions
  • Dry skin
  • Seborrhea
  • And More!

Have you had your yearly skin check?

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bracciano, please contact The Eye Associates at 941-792-2020 or toll free at 1-866-865-2020.

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