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Comprehensive Eye Examinations
When we do eye exams, we refuse to cut corners. We always schedule ample time so you will never feel rushed. We provide complete eye care for both adults and children. Our comprehensive eye examinations check your eyes inside and out for glaucoma, cataracts, tumors and all other eye diseases as well as high blood pressure, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other systemic diseases. Your visual skills and abilities are carefully evaluated and we pride ourselves on the accuracy of our prescriptions. We perform thorough ocular evaluations and not merely eye glasses examinations. The eyes provide numerous clues to the overall health of the individual, and out of all of our senses, vision is our most treasured.
Optical Dispensing
Our optical laboratories have the latest in equipment to fabricate your glasses. By utilizing several different laboratories, we are able to specifically order the exact lens that is the best for your prescription and the frame you select. We do not rely on any certain manufacturer or any certain lens design merely because "we have it in stock." Glasses are precision optical instruments, subjected to over thirty different tests after they are fabricated before you receive them. We are able to provide you with any frame or lens design available. Our qualified optician and staff are able to adjust and fit your glasses to you for extended comfort and vision.
Contact Lenses
We have been fitting specialty contact lenses for years and have seen some incredible changes in that time. By far the most exciting changes have occurred in the last few years. Although rigid contact lenses are a shrinking segment of the industry, we still have a large number of patients who wear them.
The gas-permeable lens materials available today far surpass those available just a few years ago in terms of eye health and comfort.
We also design and prescribe from literally hundreds of soft contact lens parameters including regular soft, disposable, frequent replacement, soft contacts for astigmatism and bifocal contact lenses.
If you currently wear contacts, please visit our "Shop Online." Due to the volatility of contact lens prices, on any given day "our" prices may beat "their" prices and vice-versa. However, with our contacts you have access to our local staff if you should have questions or problems with your contacts. Also, remember that certain quantities of contacts qualify for both manufacturer's rebates and free shipping. The more you purchase at one time, the more you save!
Allergies can be particularly annoying to contact lens wearers. In the past many people had to quit wearing their lenses for a month or two during the allergy season. New lens materials and allergy medications have made it possible for these people to eliminate itchy eyes. These medications such as Patanol and Alocril are amazingly effective and safe even in children as young as three.
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Frames
- Designer Lines
- Safety Frames
- Sports Frames
- Childrens Frames
- Sunglasses
- Spring Hinges
- Lightweight Space-age
Metals
- Large Selection
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Lens Features
- Thin, Lightweight Lenses
- Safety Lenses
- Polycarbonate Lenses
- Progressive Lenses
- Computer Lenses
- Sports Lenses
- Transition Lenses
- Special Tints
- Anti-Reflective Coatings
- Ultra-Violet Protection
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Laser Vision Correction
Everyone is talking about LASIK. Dr. Crowder was the first eye doctor in Western North Carolina to offer laser vision correction to his patients back in 1994. We offer FREE SCREENING to patients who are interested in LASIK. Here is a brief description of the procedure;
A flap is created in the cornea and then the flap is gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea, much like a contact lens forms a new shape on the cornea, only the laser is permanent. The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage.
The "Wow!" effect of Lasik is the very rapid recovery of vision and the decreased level of discomfort post-operatively. You hear from people that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have functional vision in 24-48 hours. Although this is true in some cases, it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, continues to improve for some weeks, even months.
Everyones eyes are different. Even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it does not mean it is right for you. If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to guide you in picking the right surgeon, procedure and laser appropriate for you. For many of you who are long-term contact lens wearers my pre-operative input can make the difference between an excellent result and a mediocre one.
Post-operatively we can monitor your eyes, and taper medications to arrive at the best possible result. After all, no one knows your eyes better than your optometrist.
Surgery Co-Management
Our office provides many of the surgical services such as Cataract surgery, Laser surgery, Refractive surgery and Strabismic surgery. We offer this in conjunction with the hospital and local eye surgeons.
Additionally, we have working arrangements established with other specialized eye care doctors to manage such things are retinal detachments, retinal tears and hemmorhages.
Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, Dry Eyes
Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office at 828-665-1577 during office hours or after hours or on weekends. Our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art microscopes allow us to examine the front surface of the eye and facial areas around the eye for infection or injury. After assessing the extent of the injury or infection a treatment plan will be formulated and explained to you. Treatment may include medications and supportive care. Follow-up visits to monitor your recovery will be scheduled as needed.
Dry Eyes: Symptoms include scratchy eyes, burning, mild redness and gritty feeling eyes. Oral medications, reading, computer tasks and dry environments may aggravate marginally dry eyes. Dry eyes can be diagnosed by using dyes to observe tear patterns, evaluation of the amount of tears on the front of the eye and from review of your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears; medicated drops that actually help increase your natural tear production; eye drops for treating allergies; and/or punctal plugs inserted in the tear drainage canals.
Please check our EyeCyclopedia section of this site for more ocular conditions and more information.
Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes
Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens gets too hazy, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects the vision to the extent that you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, we will recommend cataract surgery. Our office co-manages with cataract specialists that are proven experts in cataract surgery. Cataract surgery can provide you with a bright new world of vision.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.
Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a dilated retinal examination each year. Laser treatments have proven to slow the progression of retinal eye disease for many patients. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. We have the latest instruments used to detect changes in the back of the eye. If we discover advancing diabetic eye disease that can be treated or needs further evaluation, we will refer you for consultation and further testing to a board certified retinal specialist.
Please check our EyeCyclopedia section of this site for more ocular conditions and more information.
Low Vision Services
People who have lost eyesight due to injuries or eye disease need special types of products to help them function as independently as possible. We are proud to be affiliated with and work closely with the Low Vision Center of Western North Carolina, a division of Mission/St. Joseph hospital system. We offer a full range of low vision products through our website under the "Online Shopping" section. In addition, we can direct those who have low vision problems to products that will help them carry on the day-to-day tasks that they need to perform. In some cases we can set up a program for the low vision patient with the National Library of Congress to receive "books on tapes", which is a service for the blind.
Vision Therapy
Seeing clearly is not enough. For many people, reading and hand-eye coordination tasks can be very difficult. The act of sight not only includes one's eyes, but it also includes the neurological activity that processes the visual information. Throwing a ball or skiing down a hill, is a learned activity; to do either well takes practice. Those who do it best are those who started learning at the earliest age. Sight plays an important role in the learning of these activities. Sight is the steering mechanism; it is the main activity that provides feedback regarding what really is happening. Sight is a learned activity, just like throwing a ball or skiing. If our examination reveals that a patient needs vision therapy, we will be happy to discuss their options.
Insurance Information
We work with most of the major insurance companies. However, there are so many different companies and so many different plans within each company, it is difficult for us to know all the allowed fees. Prior to an examination, we recommend that you review your benefits with a representative from your insurance company. We are ready to help you in any way we can. Even if we are not in your network of providers, discuss this with us so we may offer you comparable benefits.
Informational Handouts
Please feel free to click on any subject below and print out a copy. Also, please refer to the EyeCyclopedia section of this site.
Applying Eyedrops & Ointment
Amsler Grid
Presbyopia
Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis
Macular Degeneration
Hyperopia
Cataracts
Posterior Vitreous Detachments/
Retinal Detachment Symptoms
Astigmatism
Diabetic Retinopathy
Schematic Section of the Human Eye
Dry Eyes
20/20 Vision
Myopia
Headaches
Glaucoma
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