Wellstar Eye Care
Wellstar Eye Care offers dedicated eye care services—from annual exams to corrective LASIK surgery for all ages.
Comprehensive eye care
Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining optimal vision and overall eye health. At Wellstar Eye Care, we provide comprehensive eye care services that range from routine exams to advanced vision correction. We offer a comfortable patient experience, ensuring each visit addresses your eye health and lifestyle needs.Choosing Wellstar Eye Care means you’ll gain access to cutting-edge technology and innovative treatments. Our board-certified surgeons and specialists deliver high-quality care in our state-of-the-art facilities.
A renowned team
Our highly trained, board-certified surgeons and fellowship-trained specialists support you whether you need medical, surgical or routine eye care. We use the latest technology to deliver the highest quality of care and the best possible outcomes for your vision health. We rank among the nation’s best in surgical results, and our experienced team and cutting-edge facilities ensure you receive the most advanced care available.Our Services
General Eye Care & LASIK
We offer multiple options for vision correction, including glasses, contact lenses and laser vision correction procedures like LASIK. LASIK is a popular choice for those seeking freedom from glasses or contacts. Our doctors will help you choose the best option for your eye health needs and lifestyle. We offer:- Eye expertise: Our expert specialists treat various eye disorders. We also offer vision improvement solutions, including surgical and non-surgical treatments.
- Multidisciplinary care: We work together as a team, focusing on your specific goals and concerns. This enables us to determine a treatment plan to improve your independence, safety and quality of life.
- State-of-the-art equipment: We use the latest equipment and technologies to evaluate and treat patients.
- Optical retail: The Eye Care Optical Shop is conveniently located in Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center across the hall from Wellstar Eye Care.
Conditions we treat
- Farsightedness: Close objects are out of focus, while distant objects are somewhat clear
- Nearsightedness: Distant objects are out of focus, while close objects are somewhat clear
- Astigmatism: There is no single focus point and vision is blurred both near and far.
- Diabetic retinopathy: A complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels in the retina, causing vision impairment
- Glaucoma: A group of eye conditions characterized by increased intraocular pressure, which can damage the optic nerve and result in gradual, irreversible loss of peripheral vision
- Macular degeneration: A progressive eye condition that affects the central part of the retina (macula), leading to loss of central vision
Advanced LASIK diagnostic tests procedures
LASIK is the primary laser vision correction procedure for treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The procedure involves creating a flap in the cornea and using a laser to reshape it, improving the eye’s focusing power. This method promotes faster healing with minimal discomfort, less chance of scarring and a quick recovery. More than 98% of LASIK patients achieve vision clear enough to drive without glasses or contacts.Age-Related Macular Degeneration Diagnosis & Treatment
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of severe vision loss in people over the age of 60. It affects central vision, which is crucial for driving and reading. There are two types of AMD:- Dry AMD: The most common form, which causes gradual vision loss
- Wet AMD: Less common, but more severe. It leads to rapid vision loss due to abnormal blood vessel growth under the retina.
AMD risk factors
Understanding your risk of AMD is important. Possible risk factors associated with AMD include age, family history, gender, high cholesterol and smoking.AMD symptoms
The presence of drusen, tiny yellow deposits in the retina, is one of the most common early signs of AMD. Your provider will see the yellow deposits during an eye examination. You may not have AMD if you have drusen, but it may mean the eye is at risk of developing more severe AMD. Symptoms of AMD may resemble other eye conditions and can include:- Blurry or fuzzy vision
- Dark or empty area (blind spot) in the center of vision
- Difficulty recognizing familiar faces
- Rapid loss of central vision
- Straight lines, such as sentences on a page, telephone poles and the sides of buildings, appear wavy
AMD diagnosis
To diagnose AMD, we start with a complete medical history and eye examination. We may also perform the following tests to diagnose AMD:- Visual acuity test: This standard eye chart test measures vision ability at various distances.
- Pupil dilation: We use eyedrops to widen the pupil and allow a close-up examination of the eye’s retina.
- Amsler grid: We use a checkerboard-like grid to determine if the straight lines in the pattern appear wavy or missing, which may signal the possibility of wet AMD.
- Fluorescein angiography: We inject a special dye into a vein in your arm and take pictures as the dye passes through the blood vessels in the retina. This helps your provider evaluate whether you have wet AMD and whether the blood vessels are leaking and treatable.
AMD treatment
Your provider will determine specific treatment for AMD based on your age, overall health, medical history, disease extent, preferences and tolerance for specific treatments.- Dry AMD: Currently, there is no treatment, but vision loss is generally slow, especially if only one eye is affected.
- Wet AMD: Treatment may include laser surgery to seal leaking blood vessels and prevent further vision loss.
Low Vision Rehab
Low vision affects one in six American adults and two-thirds of people over the age of 65. Our rehab clinic offers comprehensive assessments and personalized strategies to enhance your safety and independence. We help you learn how to use adaptive equipment, make simple home modifications, adjust activities and maximize your remaining vision.We tailor our innovative, personalized approach to your goals, interests and skills. Together, we explore functional solutions that help you overcome daily challenges and improve your quality of life. Our patients choose us because:
- We are the region’s only specialized low-vision rehabilitation services that is provided by certified occupational therapists.
- Individualized services focus on your specific goals and concerns
- Top-of-the-line optical equipment for diagnosis and treatments
Rehabilitation services
Our rehabilitation services have high patient satisfaction ratings, and we help patients feel independent and safe after their rehabilitation. Our services include:Diagnostic tests
Diagnosing whether someone needs eye care rehabilitation involves a comprehensive assessment of their vision and eye health. There are several steps and considerations that can help diagnose the need for eye care rehabilitation.- Adaptive technology and aids assessment
- Comprehensive eye exam
- Functional vision assessment
- Medical and vision history
- Occupational and educational needs
Based on your needs, we’ll introduce you to available resources and training. This may include help with community activities, cooking, glare control, lighting, and contrast and mobility issues. We also offer help with vision concerns when reading, writing, crafting and shopping.
We require a referral from an ophthalmologist, optometrist or primary care physician.