Pediatric and
Adult Examinations
Dr. Schwartz performs complete eye exams for people of all ages.
Different age groups and different complaints warrant different types of
exams, tailored to specific needs. However, general, comprehensive exams
are the norm.
In young children, checking vision may be difficult. Having completed a
fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology, Dr. Schwartz is able to assess
vision using lights, prisms, pictures or letters as indicated. Further
evaluation of eye muscle alignment, external eye health and the
retina
is routinely performed. Typically, eye drops are used to aid in the eye
exam. Often children remain dilated all day after an appointment.
Avoidance of bright light and minimizing near vision tasks (reading)
will make this time period more comfortable. Using a combination of
simple toys and high-tech instruments, much valuable information can be
learned while evaluating a child’s eyes. Even the exact prescription for
glasses can be obtained. Knowing what to look for during the short
attention span of a child helps Dr. Schwartz gently diagnose even
difficult problems.
Don’t underestimate the importance of specialty training and experience
in a pediatric eye exam. A child may not be able to describe his or her
eye problem. It is often subtleties picked up during the exam that allow
a good eye doctor to find and treat potentially sight threatening
problems.
Adult eye exams may also involve particular challenges, for instance a
person in a wheelchair or a senior with dementia. Our office is
welcoming of such individuals and is designed appropriately. For the
majority of adults, an eye exam should be pleasant and painless. Routine
evaluation for glasses,
glaucoma,
dry eye,
cataracts, and
macular
problems is the norm. Modern equipment allows advanced testing for most
eye disorders. Our ocular imaging equipment, ultrasound, visual field
analyzer and other instrumentation provide accurate disease specific
diagnoses. As in pediatric exams, eye drops are often used for adults.
However side effects last only several hours.
Dr. Schwartz has excelled in his adult ophthalmology training. He is
board certified in ophthalmology and has been caring for adult patients
and nursing home residents for over 10 years in New York City. He served
as an adjunct professor and associate clinical director at The New York
Eye & Ear Infirmary in both the pediatric ophthalmology and the adult
comprehensive ophthalmology departments. It is his pleasure to bring
these services to Ithaca.
~ Peter S. Schwartz, MD
. 