FAQ
What
advantage does Dr Tracy Crnic offer? Dr.
Crnic’s specialized ophthalmology training, and extensive
practical experience, assures that our patients will receive treatment
using the latest proven technologies. Her primary focus on the care
of younger patients extends even to the design of our clinic, created
to lessen the anxiety of a doctor’s appointment.
This special environment also includes Meg and Pixel,
our trained therapy
dogs who help make an office visit fun.
What
is pediatric ophthalmology? Pediatric ophthalmology specializes in the medical care of
the eyes of children, beginning at birth.
What
is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist? An
ophthalmologist is first a medical doctor, graduated from
a four year medical school, who then receives an additional
four
to five years of specialized training in both surgical
and non-surgical care of the eyes. Dr. Crnic’s training
is even more specific, focused primarily on the pediatric
patient. An optometrist has not been trained as a medical doctor. They
normally see patients of all ages and can provide general, but
not surgical, care of the eyes. Prescribing and dispensing of corrective
lenses, and identifying diseases of the eye are the most common
functions of the optometry practice.
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Why should my child see a pediatric ophthalmologist? A
child’s vision develops in stages by age, and
can easily be affected by an undiagnosed condition
or disease. Because it
is difficult for the young patient to identify or express
these changes as an adult would, maintaining a recurring
schedule of
checkups is important to continued eye health
When
should my child first be seen?
Healthy children with no family history of eye disease such as
glaucoma, diabetes, or high blood pressure, should be seen at
the age of two to three years. If the child is born prematurely,
if Downs syndrome is present, or any other health concerns exist
that could affect the eyes, an immediate, early examination is
needed
How
often thereafter should my child be seen?
Appointments should be scheduled once a year, or sooner if the
child has any health condition that can affect the eyes.
Is
there anything about my child’s vision that I should
pay special attention to?
Children will often signal differences in their eyes, or an unequal
ability to see, by rubbing, squinting or closing an eye. They will
also identify objects differently when you cover one eye versus
the other. If you observe these behaviors, please call for an appointment…the
earliest diagnosis and treatment is the most effective.
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you accept Medicaid?
Yes, definitely; we have many patients with Medicaid. If you have
primary care case management (PCCM), you will need to obtain
a referral prior to your visit. Also, please remember to
bring the current month’s Medicare card with you to the appointment.
Do
you accept my insurance?
We accept many private insurance plans. Please contact your insurer
to see if Dr. Crnic is on the provider list, and whether you
will need a referral from your primary care physician.
What
is strabismus?
Strabismus is a visual defect that causes the eyes not to point
in the same direction. What is adult strabismus?
After childhood, strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) will often
result in double vision (diplopia).
What
is amblyopia?
Amblyopia (often called “lazy eye”) is vision in one
of the eyes that can’t be corrected with glasses, and occurs
in children while vision is still developing.
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see adults?
Yes, Dr. Crnic has many adult patients, as her specialty is strabismus,
as well as general pediatric ophthalmology.
How
long will my appointment take?
If you are a new patient making a first visit, you should plan
on your appointment lasting 90-120 minutes.
What
is refraction?
Refraction is the measurement of any error in the eye’s ability
to focus; the information can then be used to determine the optical
correction necessary to achieve your best vision.
Does
the doctor dilate patients?
Yes, all new patients are dilated in order to be able to perform
a thorough examination.
Can
my child wear contacts?
Dr. Crnic does not prescribe contact lenses for children. Medical
evidence indicates that glasses are the most effective way to
provide vision correction, and have the added benefit of protecting
the eyes. Contacts are hard for children to use properly, and
will require constant oversight by an adult. If used improperly,
the eye health risks far outweigh any cosmetic benefit.
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