Do You Need A Free Eye Doctor and Free Eyeglasses?
Lackey Clinic is a faith-based nonprofit providing free eye care to adults without medical insurance. Our working-class patients earn too much to qualify for Virginia Medicaid but not enough to afford quality medical insurance, usually earning between $12-$25 an hour.
Check to see if you may be eligible to become a full
Lackey Clinic Patient!
We serve uninsured adults in Virginia, who meet income requirements.
If you have any questions, please call us at 757.886.0608 ext. 252 or 253 for Se Habla Español during our office hours.
Board Certified Optometrists in Lackey Clinic’s Eye Care Program use state-of-the-art technology, such as computerized equipment and a retinal camera, to thoroughly evaluate each patient and provide them with a comprehensive eye exam. In addition, our optometrists help manage common conditions such as dry eye, ocular allergies, glaucoma, cataracts, and more.
If a patient needs eyeglasses, Lackey Clinic’s optometrists will prescribe a new pair of glasses in their custom prescription for free through the New Eyes program. In addition, some patients require specialty eyeglasses with unique prescriptions; in this case, Lackey orders specialty glasses at a reduced cost to those who are candidates.
Suppose a patient requires surgeries or unique eye treatments. In that case, Lackey works closely with local Ophthalmologists and specialty eye care providers such as Hampton Roads Eye Associates, Virginia Eye Consultants, and Mid-Atlantic Eye Care to provide free or reduced-cost specialty care. We are thankful that each patient seen in the Lackey Eye Clinic can get the necessary care for their eyes and specialty services as needed.
Dr. Amanda Paull, O.D., is a medically trained optometrist who did a residency in Ocular Disease at the Hampton VA hospital. Many systemic diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can be detected and further managed through the retinal photos taken of each patient.
What Is an Optometrist?
Optometry is the medical specialty concerned with treating, diagnosing, and examining the eyes and related tissues and structures. They also help with the correction of vision disorders.
Independently practicing optometrists (ODs) provide primary eye care. Optometrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders, structural diseases of the eye, and problems associated with the overall visual system.
Ophthalmologists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of problems related to the eyes. They will prescribe glasses or contacts, and a dispensing optician will fill that order.
Optometrists Are Primarily Concerned With Primary Eye Care, Including:
- Offering eye exams and checkups for the eyes
- Eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions.
- Detection and further monitoring of diabetic eye disease
- Diagnosing and treating common eye diseases
- Providing vision therapy and low-vision aids.
Optometrists are medical doctors who specialize in eye care and receive a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after four years of study.
While they can’t perform surgery, optometrists can diagnose and treat various eye conditions with prescription drugs. Typical eye abnormalities and diseases that cause eventual blindness can be spotted with their help. Taking care of your eyes is crucial, regardless of whether you need corrective lenses. Regular checkups allow for early diagnosis of eye diseases, which can help save your sight. Any vision issues you’ve been having, as well as your medical history, will be discussed at length with your optometrist. They will examine your eyes to ensure your vision is clear and healthy.
What Is an Ophthalmologist?
The field of ophthalmology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of the eye. Ophthalmologists are doctors who have completed additional education and training in the medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions.
An ophthalmologist, after completing medical school, must complete additional post-doctoral residency training in the field of ophthalmology. One year of integrated internship in which additional general medical training in areas like internal medicine and general surgery is included is possible.
After completing a residency program, some individuals may decide to further their education by focusing on a sub-specialty within the field of ophthalmic pathology. Full-time ophthalmologists typically treat a manageable number of patients. The typical week for most doctors consists of 30–45 hours spent with patients. Ophthalmologists are commonly found in the private sector, keeping set office and operating room hours. Ophthalmologists’ schedules are more consistent than many other doctors because they rarely treat patients in need of urgent care.
Is an Ophthalmologist the Same as an Optometrist?
Both optometry and ophthalmology deal with the eyes, but many people don’t know the difference. Even though they share the common ground of eye health, there are many assumptions made about them that are incorrect. Both ophthalmologists and optometrists are vital to the field of eye care, but ophthalmologists have significantly more extensive education and training than optometrists do.
Primary vision care is provided by optometrists, who are trained to diagnose and treat eye conditions and manage visual changes in addition to testing and correcting vision. A Doctor of Optometry does not practice medicine. However, after three years of undergraduate study and four years of optometry school, one earns the title of “doctor of optometry” (OD). They have the training and legal authority to practice optometry, which entails, among other things, diagnosing and treating eye diseases and conditions, fitting patients with detecting and treating eye anomalies, and prescribing corrective lenses.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who focus on treating eye and vision problems. Compared to optometrists, ophthalmologists have specialized training that allows them to diagnose and treat a broader range of eye conditions. An ophthalmologist is an MD who has completed four years of undergraduate study and around 8 years of additional medical training.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the eye and correcting vision through the insertion of corrective lenses or eyewear.
While all ophthalmologists receive general medical and surgical training, some opt to focus on a specific area of eye care. These eye doctors are classified as subspecialists. They undergo one or two years of additional training in one of the primary subspecialty fields, including pediatrics, cornea, retina, and glaucoma. With this advanced education, an ophthalmologist can treat more complicated cases involving specific parts of the eye or populations of patients.
Why Should You Get Regular Eye Exams?
Eighty percent of what we take in comes through our eyes, making the vision crucial. Taking care of your eyes can prevent serious problems like glaucoma and cataracts from worsening and reduce the risk of losing sight altogether.
Visiting the eye doctor should be considered “preventative maintenance” for your entire body. Seeing is believing, as the saying goes. They’re the only places where your unaltered blood vessels can be seen without going under the knife. Optometrists can diagnose many health issues and vision problems with a glance into the eyes thanks to this inspection of the blood supply.
For the brain to function correctly, good eyesight is essential. Our brains are the most critical part of our bodies because they enable us to lead intricate lives. If you want a healthy relationship between your eyes and your brain, where visual information is processed, then you need a healthy optic nerve. If your eyes are healthy, your brain is healthy, and your life is better.
An individual’s visual acuity affects their performance in various spheres, including sports, driving, education, and general happiness. So if you follow your eye doctor’s orders, you can have a future that’s vibrant and full of color.
Examining your body once a year is essential for your health, regardless of age. Pediatricians stress the importance of preventative care measures like well-baby checks to identify potential issues before they escalate.
Examining your eyes once a year also helps your ophthalmologist detect any issues, make any necessary diagnoses, and keep tabs on any preexisting conditions.
Regular eye exams at least once a year includes a battery of checks to assess your visual acuity and detect any signs of eye disease. During your eye exam, you will be asked to perform various tests and answer questions that will aid in the doctor’s evaluation of your vision. In addition, a clinical assistant or technician may perform parts of your examination, such as taking your medical history and performing basic assessments.
Your eye doctor will take the time to sit down with you after the examination to go over the findings, your risk for eye disease, and specific measures you can take to maintain and protect your eyesight.