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How long does a visit take?
Expect to spend at least one and a half hours, often longer, in our office. A thorough exam is never rushed. Part of the examination involves checking the health of the back of the eye. It takes at least 20 minutes for the drops to fully dilate the eyes.
My child has been seeing another eye doctor. Do you need my child's records?
It is helpful to have previous medical records if you can obtain them. The fastest way to obtain the records would be for you to call and request that a copy be sent directly to you. Patients always have the rights to their medical records. We could ask for them if you sign a Records Release form, but that might take longer.
Do you accept Medicaid?
Our office accepts Medicaid or most Kidcare HMOs for children who need medical eye care. Most KidCare HMOs require that you go to their vision care network if your child does not have a medical eye problem.
Will my child get his/her eyes dilated?
All complete eye exams for new patients require dilation.. The doctor will be checking the health of the entire eye, including the back of the eye. The comprehensive eye exam involves much more than a refraction, in which a patient's glasses prescription is checked.
My child has strabismus (a blocked tear duct, etc.), so will my child need surgery? Will it be done in the office?
Treatment options for your child will be determined by the doctor when your child is examined.
Do you offer vision therapy?
Dr. Craig is a pediatric optometrist and she offers orthoptic therapy. Generally speaking, orthoptic therapy is effective for eye coordination problems such as for convergence insufficiency and for intermittent exotropia. What some optometrists call "vision therapy" is usually different. Treatment options for your child will be determined by the doctor when your child is examined. In general, vision therapy is effective only for certain diagnoses. You can discuss all options with the doctor.
Orthoptic Therapy has been recommended for my child. How do I schedule these sessions?
In East Brunswick, Tuesday afternoons are reserved for OT sessions, although morning appointments can also be arranged. Please speak with our technicians about scheduling OT in Bridgewater. We will arrange for six sessions at one time, usually at the same time each week. This will help you and your child plan for the time commitment needed.
Click here to find out more about Orthoptic Therapy.
Can my child go to school (etc.) after he/she gets his/her eyes dilated?
Most children can usually resume normal activities within six to eight hours, when the dilation drops wear off. Some children can be sensitive to the sun or have trouble doing close work, such as homework or music lessons. In some cases it can take from 24 to 48 hours for the pupils to return to their normal state, especially if the child has very light blue eyes.