A new year is an ideal time to refocus on your vision and overall eye health. Clear sight impacts everything from safe driving to productivity at work and enjoying time with family. Beginning with a comprehensive eye exam at Vision Center South—and partnering with the specialists at Eye Center South when needed—helps you protect your eyesight today and for years to come.
Start at Vision Center South for Routine and Comprehensive Eye Exams
Vision Center South is a convenient place for patients to begin their eye care journey with thorough, comprehensive eye exams. These exams go beyond a simple vision check for glasses and contacts and are designed to detect early signs of eye and systemic disease.
A comprehensive exam at Vision Center South typically includes:
- Review of medical, ocular, and family history to identify risk factors.
- Visual acuity testing and refraction to determine your most accurate prescription.
- Eye pressure measurements to screen for glaucoma.
- Careful evaluation of the front of the eye (cornea, lens, eyelids, conjunctiva).
- Dilated exam of the retina and optic nerve to look for signs of conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or vascular changes.
If anything unusual is found, your doctor at Vision Center South can coordinate a timely referral to the ophthalmologists at Eye Center South for more advanced testing or treatment.
Ophthalmologist vs. Optometrist: How They Work Together
Both optometrists and ophthalmologists play important roles in your eye care, and the two often collaborate closely to provide complete, coordinated care.
- Optometrists (OD):
- Are trained to provide comprehensive eye exams, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and diagnose and manage many eye conditions.
- Commonly treat issues like dry eye, eye allergies, mild infections, and help monitor stable chronic conditions under the guidance of specialists when needed.
- Often serve as your primary eye care provider, seeing you regularly and identifying when specialized or surgical care is appropriate.
- Ophthalmologists (MD/DO):
- Are medical doctors who complete medical school, residency in ophthalmology, and often fellowship subspecialty training.
- Diagnose and treat the full spectrum of eye diseases and perform surgery, including cataract surgery, retina procedures, glaucoma surgeries, and oculoplastic/eyelid surgery.
- Become involved when conditions are more complex, vision-threatening, or when surgical treatment is needed.
A helpful way to think about it: Vision Center South optometrists are your front line for routine and medical eye care, while Eye Center South ophthalmologists are your specialty and surgical partners when advanced care is required.
When to Transition from VCS to ECS
Most patients can comfortably begin and maintain care at Vision Center South. However, your doctor may recommend evaluation at Eye Center South if you:
- Show signs of cataracts that are starting to affect daily activities.
- Have diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or other retinal disease that may need injections or laser treatment.
- Have glaucoma that requires more advanced management or surgery.
- Need evaluation for medical or cosmetic eyelid surgery, or other oculoplastic procedures.
This shared-care model allows you to enjoy the convenience and familiarity of Vision Center South for regular eye exams, with a smooth transition to Eye Center South if specialty or surgical care becomes necessary.
Make Clear Vision Part of Your New Year Plan
Starting the year with a comprehensive eye exam at Vision Center South is a proactive way to protect and maintain clear, comfortable vision. If your exam shows anything that needs extra attention, you already have a trusted team of ophthalmology specialists at Eye Center South—with six convenient locations in Dothan, Montgomery, Panama City (State St), Panama City (23rd St), and Tallahassee—ready to help.
Schedule your annual comprehensive eye exam at Vision Center South and feel confident knowing that, if specialty care is needed, Eye Center South can provide advanced treatment tailored to your specific needs. To get started, contact Eye Center South at 800-467-1393 and begin the new year with confidence in your vision.
