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We are proud to announce that our office is the first on the West Coast to have been chosen to receive the latest version of the Optomap Retinal Imaging Series.  This instrument captures a high-quality panoramic digital image of your retina.  Retinal imaging is an important tool for the screening and diagnosis of eye conditions such as retinal detachment and age-related macular degeneration.  It can also indicate evidence of non-eye diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.  We feel that it is important to offer this service and product to our patients, thereby providing you with state-of-the art eyecare.

Retinal Imaging 41

Capture a high-quality digital image of the eye

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Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office at 626-441-5300 during office hours or our emergency number; 626-728-2899 after hours or on weekends. Our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art 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.Dry Eyes: Symptoms include scratchy eyes, burning, mild redness and gritty feeling eyes. Oral medications, reading, computer tasks and dry environments may aggravate marginally dry eyes. Dry eyes can be diagnosed by using dyes to observe tear patterns, evaluation of the amount of tears on the front of the eye and from review of your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears; eye drops for treating allergies; and/or punctal plugs inserted in the tear drainage canals.

Urgent/Emergency Eye Exam 42

Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, Dry Eyes

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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, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the 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 surgery. 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 inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. 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 each year. Laser treatments have proven to slow the progression of retinal eye disease for many patients.  Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. 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 to a board certified retinal specialist.

Ocular Disease Treatment 43

Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes

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Everyone is talking about LASIK.  Here is a brief description of the procedure: A flap is created on the cornea and is gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea, much like a contact lens forms a new shape on the cornea, only the laser is permanent. The flap is then put back in place without any sutures, acting like a natural bandage.  The "Wow!" effect of Lasik is from a very rapid recovery of vision with mild discomfort post-operatively. You hear from people that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day.  Most people have functional vision in 24-48 hours. Although this is true in some cases, it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate.  Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, continues to improve for some weeks, even months. Not all eyes are the same.  Even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it does not mean it is right for you.  If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to refer you to the surgeon whom we most trust to provide you with a great outcome.  For many of you who are long-term contact lens wearers our pre-operative input can make the difference between an excellent result and a mediocre one.  Post-operatively we will monitor your healing process and vision for one year to ensure that you have a successful outcome.  To learn more about LASIK and refractive surgery, please visit the website of our surgeon, <a href="http://maloneyvision.com/index.html" target="_blank">Dr. Robert Maloney</a>.

Laser Vision Comanagement 55

LASIK Surgery Evaluation.

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If our doctors find that you would benefit from surgical services such as Cataract surgery, Laser surgery, Refractive surgery or Strabismic surgery, we will refer you to highly-skilled local eye surgeons whom we trust to provide you with optimal care.  We will often manage you pre-operatively and post-operatively to ensure that your eyes are healing appropriately.  Once your eyes have fully healed from your surgical procedure, we will also evaluate your vision to provide you with glasses or contact lenses that allows you to see sharply.

Surgery Co-Management 56

Post-operative and Pre-operative Care for Eye Surgery Patients

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When we do eye exams, we refuse to cut corners.  We always schedule ample time so you will never feel rushed.  We provide complete eye care for both adults and children.  Our comprehensive eye examinations check your eyes inside and out for glaucoma, cataracts and all other eye diseases as well as high blood pressure, diabetes and other systemic diseases.  Your visual skills and abilities are carefully evaluated and we pride ourselves on the accuracy of our eyeglass prescriptions.  Depending on your needs, we will also fit you into <a href="756-contact-lens-exam" target="_blank">contact lenses </a>or perform a <a href="758-low-vision-services">low vision refraction</a>.  Technology is rapidly changing the eye care industry.  We utilize the latest in diagnostic equipment and are committed to keeping up with whatever advances will come next.  Our latest technological addition to our office is the <a href="http://southpasadenaeyes.com/services/1384-retinal-imaging">Optomap 200 Retinal Imaging</a> Series.  This instrument captures a high-quality panoramic digital image of your retina.  Such images facilitate the early detection and managment of disorders of the eye, thereby allowing us to provide you with state-of-the-art eyecare.

Comprehensive Eye Exam 60

A complete exam of your visual system

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<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We, at the South Pasadena Optometric Group, make it our goal to provide only the most comprehensive eye care for children.  Studies have shown that 80% of all learning is performed through vision.  That’s why a comprehensive eye examination is so important, to ensure that children perform at their best academically, socially and athletically.  </h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">6 months to 3 years old </h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We begin our infant exams around 6 months old.  During this visit, the doctor will test for excessive or unequal amounts of farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism -conditions which can lead to amblyopia (lazy eye) or strabismus (eye turn) if left untreated.  During this initial visit, the doctor will also evaluate eye muscle ability and perform a dilated examination to rule out eye health problems such as retinoblastoma, glaucoma or cataracts.  Although such conditions are rare, it is important to identify children who have them at this age.  If treatment is begun early, the conditions will be more easily managed.</h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">3 years to School-age </h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The next recommended age for eye exams is 3 years old.  At this age, the doctors’ main concern is that the preschoolers’ eyes are developing properly and preparing itself for developing visual skills such as eye-hand coordination needed for sports and eye muscle function for reading.  The doctor will also test for any nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism and rule out the presence of any eye diseases.  Unless the doctor advises otherwise, the next age for eye exams would be 5 years old or right before kindergarten.</h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> School-age</h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">During the school-age years, it is important that your child be seen at least every 2 years or sooner if recommended by the doctor.  A screening at school or at the pediatrician’s office is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination.  During the school-age years, your child’s basic vision skills will be used daily for various activities in and out of school.  Any lag in any of these skills can affect their performance in learning or in sports.  At each routine exam, the doctor will evaluate their vision at distance and near, binocular vision (the ability of the eyes to work together), eye muscle skill (to follow a moving target or to move their eyes across words on a page), eye focusing skill (to keep reading material clear and to change focus quickly), depth perception and peripheral awareness.  Children who suffer from any delayed development in these skills can exhibit poor reading ability, avoidance of nearwork or sports, or poor concentration.</h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Preparing for your child's appointment</h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">When scheduling the appointment for your child, please take into consideration their nap times if they are still taking naps.  Try to schedule the appointment after the nap time and bring snacks or milk for your child in case he gets hungry.  It would be helpful to speak with your child’s teacher beforehand to find out if the teacher has noticed any unusual habits in the classroom such as squinting or covering one eye.</h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </h4> <h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The doctors and staff at the South Pasadena Optometric Group understand and value the importance of a child’s potential and growth.  We would be glad to answer any further questions you may have regarding your child.  </h4>

Pediatric Eye Exams 65

We see children of all ages!

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A contact lens exam is separate from a comprehensive eye exam but can be performed on the same day.  If you are currently a contact lens wearer, we will evaluate your current contacts for fit, vision, and ocular health.  If your current lenses are not fitting properly, you may be more prone to developing eye infections which can be vision-threatening.  Depending upon the lens that you are wearing, we may switch you into the newest technology available to ensure that the lenses are oxygen permeable and non-drying on the eyes.  If you are a new wearer, we will fit you with a pair of sample lenses of the latest materials and ensure that the lenses are providing you with optimal fit, vision and comfort.  We usually ask our patients to return for a follow-up visit to address any concerns they may have with the lenses and to ensure adequate fit, vision and ocular health.  Specialty Contact Lens Exam Certain types of prescriptions require special custom contact lens designs and extra time.  Dr. Irene Sang has taken extra courses to specialize in hard-to-fit prescriptions and fitting diseased or damaged corneas.  Many of our local corneal specialists entrust their patients to Dr. Sang's care for specialty contact lens fittings.  If you have had unsuccessful ocular surgery or have been diagnosed with keratoconus and have not been successfully fit into contact lenses, it is possible that you may need specialty custom contact lenses.  After a thorough evaluation including a map of the cornea, she will custom-design a lens tailored to fit your eye thereby restoring vision to a functioning level.  Preparing for your Contact Lens Exam If you are a current contact lens wearer, please come in wearing your contact lenses and have them on for at least two hours.  Please also bring your boxes or vials of contacts with you, especially if you are satisfied with your current lenses and hope to stay in the same brand.  If you would like to be seen for a specialty contact lens exam, please call our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sang.  It may be helpful to provide our office with information regarding your eye condition including previous history of ocular surgeries.

Contact Lens Exam 66

Comprehensive eye exams for contact lens wearers

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Those who suffer from eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy know how frustrating it can be to perform daily tasks such as looking over their bills, reading the newspaper or seeing their food on a plate.  Our doctors are trained to provide low vision evaluations to patients who suffer from vision loss.  Many local optometrists, ophthalmologists and retinal specialists refer and entrust their patients to us for low vision care. Because these patients have many special needs, we set aside two full exam slots to evaluate them. Thus, we have ample time to perform a thorough evaluation of their vision and visual needs without making the patient feel rushed. And because every patient has visual needs and vision loss that is specific to them, we do not have a technician demonstrate the optical aids. Instead, after a thorough evaluation, our low vision doctor will determine the precise magnification and device that will benefit that particular patient. Our office carries many low vision aids ranging from hand-held magnifiers to closed-circuit televisions. Our patients have benefited greatly from being fitted with low vision aids. Many of them find that they are able to look over their own bills, read letters, or recognize faces from across a room. About Your Low Vision Appointment The low vision evaluation will begin with a consultation with the doctor reviewing your personal healthy, history, social, educational and vocational visual needs.  We will then perform a thorough vision examination to evaluate and determine if we can effectively use your remaining vision with the use of magnifying vision aids and other devices.  Please understand that your loss of vision cannot be restored; however, we may be able to recommend some devices that will help you with certain tasks.  We will also provide you with a list of local resources that may assist in your rehabilitation.  Preparing for your Appointment Prior to your appointment, please take notice of areas that you are having problems seeing.  For example, some common vision tasks that many of our patients find difficult, even while wearing their eyeglasses are:  reading newspapers and books, watching TV, spotting street signs, reading price tags and menus, seeing oven dials or recognizing faces. Please bring any eyeglasses, sunglasses or magnifying glasses that you are presently using.  If you are also having difficulty with a certain task, such as reading a particular book, bring that book with you. We also encourage our patients to have a spouse, relative or friend accompany them to the appointment.

Low Vision Services 74

Low vision describes a number of conditions whose results range from legal blindness to a level of visual impairment that cannot be satisfactorily corrected with conventional prescription lenses.

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