The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has requested all Americans be more vigilant and prudent in this time of Coronavirus (Covid-19). Progressive Eye Care provides all of our patients with the most complete ophthalmic services available. Our services emphasize the health and safety of our patients, employees and our community.
In order to prevent any further spread of the COVID-19 (Corona Virus):
Please stay home and reschedule your appointment if any of the following applies to you OR anyone attending the appointment:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
Patient Only policy Now in Effect
To keep our patients and team members safe, only patients, with few exceptions, will be allowed until further notice. This is a proactive measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The only exception is ONE Parent or Guardian, if required, for the patient.
To support this safety measure, all people are being screened including delivery personnel. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
For additional information about the Coronavirus (Covid-19), please visit: CDC Coronavirus Information
If this is an urgent matter and it cannot wait until the next day please leave your message with the answering services to reach a doctor. Otherwise, please call 911.
630-245-0989
May 29 | (Closed)
July 4 | (Closed)
September 4 | (Closed)
November 23 – 24 | (Closed)
December 25-26 | (Closed)
January 1 | (Closed)
January 2 | back to regular schedule
We accept most major insurance companies.
Please check with your individual insurance company for coverage.
For routine issues such as medication refills or appointments please call during regular business hours. If calling during business hours and you reach the answering service, please leave a message with the service and someone will return your call by the end of the business day.
Please call our office at (630) 245-0989
Our fax number is (630) 527-0125
Thyroid Eye Disease is an autoimmune condition where your body’s immune system is producing factors that stimulate enlargement of the muscles that move the eye.
Some symptoms that can result from this disease include bulging of the eyes, retraction of the lids, double vision, decreased vision and ocular irritation.
Thyroid Eye Disease is often associated with abnormalities in the thyroid gland function. Patients with Thyroid Orbitopathy often notice blurred or double vision.
Pain is not usually a major finding in thyroid patients; however, patients may experience a mild irritation, light sensitivity or ache.
Pseudotumor Cerebri is a condition in which high pressure inside the head can cause problems with vision and headache.
Patients with optic disc swelling but no evidence of a tumor were said to have “Pseudotumor”. The most import clue to the presence of a Pseudotumor is the finding of disc swelling upon looking in the back of the eye; this is done after the pupil has been dilated.
Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system has damaged receptors on the muscles. This results in muscle weakness, as receptors are necessary for the muscles to know when to contract. It can include the muscles of the eyelid which can result in lid droop (Ptosis), and muscles of eye movement which can result in double vision. These two symptoms can vary, being worse when tired or later in the day. The reason for the body’s immune system’s attack on the muscles is unclear.
Classic migraine attacks start with visual symptoms (such as: zig-zag colored lights or flashes of light) followed by a singled sided pounding severe headache associated with nausea, vomitting and light sensitivity.
Common triggers for migraines in susceptible individuals include caffeine, nutrasweet and alcohol. Horomonal changes are also frequently associated with a change in migraine episodes.
Optic Disc Drusen are abnormal deposits of protein-like material in the optic disc- the front part of the optic nerve. The exact cause of Optic Disc Drusen is not known; however, they are thought to come from abnormal flow of material in optic nerve cells.
Optic Disc Drusen may be inherited or can occur without any family history. Inherited drusen are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, which means your mother, father or child is likely to have the condition. Optic Disc Drusen are normally not visible at birth, and are rarely found in infants and children.
As time passes, Optic Disc Drusen can calcify and become more prominent. Optic Disc Drusen are rarely associated with any systemic disease or eye disease.
Children often suffer from blunt trauma in sports or horse play. An area of bleeding over the white portion of the eye may indicate serious internal damage. Fireworks and BB Guns are often associated with penetrating eye injuries and serious visual loss can be a consequence.
This is a major preventable cause of visual dysfunction in the U.S. If this condition is left untreated by the age of seven the lazy eye can be irreversibly “hard wired” into the brain. This condition must be treated vigorously as soon as it is detected in young children.
This can affect people of all ages. Pediatric Ophthalmologists are specifically trained to treat these conditions. One cannot simple “grow out of” these conditions. Glasses, patching and/or surgery are possible treatments.
A white pupil may be notices easily in a photograph. It can be indicative of a serious eye disease such as cataract, infection, inflammation, birth defects or tumors. A complete eye exam is necessary.
Many infants has congenital nasolacrimal duct obstructions which can lead to chronic infections involving the eye and the lids. Surgical intervention is needed if antibiotics fail after a trail.
Patients who have decreased vision may not have a straightforward cause for it based on an eye exam. They may require an examination extending further into the Central Nervous System. This is where the duel training of a Pediatric Ophthalmologist is helpful.
This abnormality can occur at any age. Treatment is usually surgical.
Patients with this problem require a complete Neuro-Ophthalmologic exam. Treatment is aimed at improving the abnormal associated head position or decreasing the jiggling.
Frequent eye strain is blamed as the reason for headaches. A Pediatric Ophthalmologist can diagnose and separate those brought on by eyes vs. other causes.
Abnormal eye movements or poor fixation noted in infants means means a complete pediatric exam is necessary. Early intervention can identify problems and treatment for the visually challenged.
Neuro-Ophthalmologists take care of visual problems that are related to nervous system; that is, visual problems that do not come from the eyes themselves. Neuro-Ophthalmology, a sub-specialty of both neurology and Ophthalmology, requires specialized training and expertise in problem of the eyes, brain, nerves and muscles. Neuro-Ophthalmologists complete at least five years of clinical training after medical school and are usually board certified in Neurology, Ophthalmology or both. Neuro-Ophthalmologists have the unique ability to evaluate patients from a Neurologic, Ophthalmologic and medical standpoint to diagnose and treat a wide variety of problems. Costly medical testing is often avoided by seeing a Neuro-Ophthalmologist.
- Prior to appointment, have a written referral and office notes from referring and/or treating physician(s) sent to Progressive Eye Care, along with an laboratory results and any CT or MRI scan results.
- Expect appointment to be at least 2 1/2 to 4 hours. These appointments involve a thorough assessment of patient and patient family history and a careful, extensive examination including a visual field test. Your pupils will be dilated, which can cause vision to be blurry and eyes to be light sensitive for a few hours.
- If possible – pick up actual images or a CD of CT and/or MRI scan results.
- Bring a complete list of medications including the name of the drug and the dosage. This includes any prescriptions and/or over the counter medications.
Floaters look like black or gray specks, strings or cobwebs that drift about when you move your eyes. These are normally caused by age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (Vitreous Humor) inside your eyes becomes more liquid. As this happens, microscopic fibers within the Vitreous Humor tend to clump together and can cast tiny shadows on the retina, which can be seen as “floaters”.
The tear film is a complex mixture of water and chemicals that moisturize and protect the eye. It also acts as a focusing surface for the eye. Dry eyes are caused by an abnormality of the tear film. Dry eyes does not necessarily mean your eyes will feel “dry”. Itching, burning, scratchy sensation, or intermittent blurring of the vision can all be symptoms of “Dry Eye”.
R.O.P stands for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Patients with R.O.P have have abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue that develop over the retina of the eye. This potentially blinding condition occurs in infants born prematurely. In many premature babies, the abnormal blood vessels simply resolve without any permanent loss of vision or vision potential. However, is some patients, the disease can be more extensive. These more severe cases may have moderate to severe loss of vision due to the scare tissue and abnormal blood vessels causing distortion or detachment of the retina.
There is treatment to prevent the loss of vision that can occur with severe cases of R.O.P Laser photocoagulation surgery has been shown to prevent or reverse the abnormal growth of vessels and scare tissue that can occur in babies with R.O.P. Babies with R.O.P may be required to see an Ophthalmologist frequently to document the progression of the disease and any changes that are occurring. Even with treatment and careful follow up, there is still a serious risk of visual loss.
Hypertropia is an eye misalignment where one eye of the eyes drifts up. Hypertropia can be due to any number of conditions and occasionally occurs in conjunction with Esotropia and Exotropia. Hypotropia is an eye misalignment where one of the eyes drifts down.
Exotropia is an eye misalignment where one or both eyes drift out towards the ears. Exotropia can be congenital (after birth) or acquired (developing after the age of 6 months). Some children with Exotropia only exhibit drifting of the eyes on occasion, which is known as Intermittent Exotropia. Exotropia is commonly called “wall eyed”.
Esotropia is an eye misalignment where one or both eyes turn in towards the nose. Esotropia can be congenital (from birth) or acquired (developing after the child is 6 months of age). Esotropia is commonly referred to as “crossed eyes”.
Strabismus is a misalignment of the visual axes of the eyes. Strabismus is defined by the direction of eye misalignment: Esotropia, Exotropia, Hypertropia, Hypotropia.
Amblyopia is commonly called “lazy eye”. Amblyopia is impaired vision in one or both eyes that cannot be corrected with appropriate corrective lenses. This occurs when one or both eyes sends a blurry vision to the brain. Because of this, the child’s developing visual pathway does not learn to see clearly. Amblyopia often does not have an obvious organic cause in the structures of the eye of visual pathway. Fortunately, Amblyopia can improve (and often be cured) if caught and treated early enough. However, if Amblyopia is not treated when the child is young the visual loss can be permanent. It is very important to have a child screened at a young age to catch any Amblyopia that might be present.
Refraction is the act of determining what power lens is need to correct an Ammetropia including the generation of a prescription for corrective lenses.