Eye Examinations
At The Vision Source of Alexandria your vision is our #1 priority. Our office provides complete eye care for the entire family. During your comprehensive eye exam, Dr. Shaw will check your eyes inside and out for any potential diseases or disorders of the eye. Dr. Shaw will discuss with you the appropriate treatment for your eyes, whether it is glasses, contact lenses, or medication. We are prepared to handle whatever your eye care needs are, and will treat them with the latest in diagnostic equipment and are committed to keeping up with advancements in eye care.
Insurances
We participate with most major medical insurance plan carriers and vision care plans. Please call our office at 318-442-7787 to verify that we are a provider with your carrier and verify coverage. When scheduling your appointment please mention your vision insurance so that we can obtain prior authorization when necessary.
Because symptoms and diagnoses vary, there may be times that we will need to submit your claim to your major medical insurance and not your routine vision plan.
Contact Lenses
Are you tired of eyeglasses? Do you want to wear fashionable sunglasses but you can’t get them with your prescription? Have you been told years ago that you couldn’t wear contacts? Then come see Dr. Shaw, he is eager to fit you with contacts. Whether you have astigmatism, need multifocal lenses, need a specialty lens, or just want a change of color Dr. Shaw has a wide range of disposable soft diagnostic lenses in stock. If we don’t have your prescription in the office then we will order trials for you and have them quickly delivered to our office. Dr. Shaw also fits gas permeable and Menicon Z lenses.
Dr. Shaw is excited to announce the addition of the new hybrid contact lens, SynergEyes. These contact lenses are a combination of a rigid gas permeable lens for crystal clear acuity and a soft lens for comfort that lasts all day. Call us today to set up an appointment to try these lenses
Fashionable Eyewear
Personal service is what sets us apart from everyone else. Our full service optical offers a wide variety of traditional and fashion-forward eyewear. We have a selection that can fit any budget and lifestyle. Our optician will work with each person individually for the eyewear that will compliment your appearance and best serve your visual needs.
We carry an assortment of frame choices for men, women, and children. Brands that you will find at our optical are: Silhouette, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Ecko, Candies, Elle, Hush Puppies, Thalia, Union Bay, Izod, Gant, Vera Wang, Via Spiga, and BCBG Max Azaria. If there is something that you want but you don’t see in our optical, then we will work to try to find it for you.
When you have chosen the best frame you have to choose the best lenses. The optician will discuss with you your options in lens materials and coatings and what is best for your lifestyle. We offer the latest and greatest in lens technology.
Some options include:
- Scratch resistant coating
- Progressive (no-line bifocal) lenses
- Thinnest and lightest lenses available
- Transitions (photochromic) lenses that darken in the sunlight
- Easy to clean anti-reflective coating
With the harmful UV rays out there, sunglasses are now a necessity rather than a luxury. We carry Maui Jim sunglasses, which we can have your prescription put into most styles. No need to worry if you wear progressive lenses, Maui Jim now has the ability to put your progressive prescription into their sunglasses.
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Laser Vision Correction
Most people with vision correction issues are wanting to know more about LASIK and whether it is right for them. Here is a brief description of the procedure;
A flap is surgically cut in the cornea and gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea into a flatter shape (this is much like a contact lens corrects vision by forming a new shape on the cornea). The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage. The healing process is quick and the discomfort level is quite low.
People will often say that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have improved vision in 24-48 hours. but it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, often continues to improve for some weeks, even months.
LASIK is not for everyone. People's eyes are different, so even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it may not be the best course of treatment 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.
After the procedure, we take great care to monitor your eyes and adjust your medication for the best possible results.
Eye Infections And Injuries
Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office at 318-442-7787 during office hours or our emergency number; 318-445-8773 after hours or on weekends. Our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art electron 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.
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, your vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. If a 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 removal. 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 in the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. We test by checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral defects, and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. We also have an Ocular Blood Flow Analyzer. Our office is the first in Central Louisiana to offer HRT-III testing, a virtual cat scan of the eye. The HRT-III can take detailed pictures of the back of the eye, allowing us to check for initial damage to the eye and monitor any changes from year to year. 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 every year. Laser treatments have proven to slow the progression of retinal disease for many patients. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the eye. 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 by a board certified retinal specialist.
Onsite Laboratory
We have an onsite laboratory that is equipped to not only fabricate most prescriptions but to also maintain and repair them should they become broken or damaged. We are able to tint, coat, cut and edge most prescriptions right here in the office so our turnaround time is kept at a minimum.
Surgery Co-Management
Dr. Shaw is trained in the pre- and post-surgical management of various ophthalmic procedures including cataracts, lasik, and glaucoma surgeries. He will talk with you at your preoperative appointment and together you will decide if surgery is the right course of action for you. You will be informed of predicted outcomes, the risks, and the benefits of surgery. Dr. Shaw co-manages with various area specialists to provide the best care for you. Our office will make the necessary arrangements with the operating doctor to provide a smooth and seamless experience.
After your surgery, Dr. Shaw will take great care to monitor your eyes and adjust your medication for the best possible results
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