Optometrists are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Doctors of optometry (O.D.'s) examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. Optometrists are board certified to prescribe medications, glasses, contact lenses, CRT, Vision Therapy or Low Vision devices. They are also trained to perform minor procedures such as foreign body removal or punctal occlusion. 

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MD) or osteopathic doctors (DO) who specialize in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams diagnose and treat disease, prescribe medications and perform eye surgery. They may also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses. An ophthalmologist may focus on general surgery (cataracts and lasik) or specialize in a certain region of the eye (cornea, retina, glaucoma, eyelid repair) or with a certain age group (pediatrics).   

Opticians, or Eyewear Consultants, are highly trained craftspeople who use prescriptions written by optometrists or ophthalmologists to fit glasses. They are not eye doctors, therefore they do not examine eyes or prescribe treatment.

Yes, as long as the prescription has not expired. You do not need an appointment to work with our expert eyewear consultants to choose new eyewear.

Dr. Belill focuses on preventative eye care with the goal of diagnosing and treating any disease before it impairs vision. Many eye diseases, such as glaucoma, do not cause any early symptoms. One study recommended that approximately 92,700 new cases of blindess each year could have been prevented or cured timely detection or treatment. Based on current research and his own clinical experience, Dr. Belill recommends comprehensive eye health exams at age 6-12 months , age 3, and then every 12 months starting at age 5. This recommendation is regardless of insurance benefit contracts, which are negotiated mainly based on what employers are willing to pay for the plan. For people who receive an exam in the off year of their 24 month vision plan - the visit will be billed to their major medical plan or to the patient.   

Dilating drops may be used to increase the size of the pupil, providing a larger window through which to view the internal structures of the eye. This allows Dr. Belill to assess: health of the optic nerve and retinal blood vessels along with the condition of the central(macula) and peripheral retinal areas. Dilation of a child's eye may also be necessary to obtain a more accurate visual measurement for determination of the amount of refractive error present (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism). This principle may also apply to someone receiving a pre-operative exam for refractive surgery (Lasik).

Dr. Belill utilizes multiple computerized instruments to test for signs of ocular disease without requiring pupil dilation. Technology such as digital retinal photography reduces the need for pupil dilation but does not necessarily eliminate it. Risk factors that will determine whether or not Dr. Belill recommends pupil dilation include: the patient's visual symptoms, age, medical history, medications, family history, pupil size, refractive error, digital health screening data, etc. Examples of those who should expect regular dilated exams would be the elderly, young children, and diabetics. 

In general, your pupils will stay dilated for about three to four hours. This time varies according to the type of drop the Dr. Belill needs to use and the color of your eyes. Children are often dilated with stronger drops becomes their natural ability to focus on objects is the strongest. It is not uncommon for some children to wake up the next morning with dilated pupils. Also, dark-colored eyes tend to have very short dilation periods, whereas light-colored eyes may stay dilated up to eight hours.

Dilation may cause you to experience glare, sensitivity to light and blurring of your near vision. Dr. Belill provides wrap around sunglasses to everyone who has their pupils dilated to reduce any daytime discomfort. The reduced near vision can usually be improved with reading glasses or by removing your glasses. With proper caution, most people can drive safely with dilated pupils. If you are uncomfortable about this, the best solution is to arrange for someone to come along with you to drive you home after the exam.

Yes, contact lenses should be worn to the appointment. Also, bring your most recent glassess and sunglasses. It may also be helpful to bring any recent contact lens packaging or prescriptions.

Contact lenses are FDA-regulated prescription medical devices that can cause serious complications including pain and permanent vision loss. Proper preventative eye care to anyone wearing contact lenses requires a comprehensive eye health exam along with professional contact lens consultation services every 12 months.

Professional Contact Lens Consultations may include:

• Computerized mapping (topography) and microscopic corneal assessment to rule out signs of allergies, infection, dry eye, oxygen deprivation, toxicity, degeneration, inflammation or scarring related to past contact lens wear. See below.
• Assessment of visual acuity, residual blur, tear film, lens movement and surface deposits with previous contact lenses on the eyes.
• Dr. Belill's professional recommendation regarding optimal combination of lens material, replacement schedule, disinfection system, and medications.
• Office visits and diagnostic disposable soft contact lenses as necessary.
• One-on-one consultation time with our expert CL staff members to review proper insertion and removal techniques, recommended replacement schedule + disinfection solution, rebate eligibility, risks of and warning signs of complications (24 hour extended wear, stretching lenses past due date, swimming, lack of hand washing, dirty CL cases, smoking, etc).

The fee is determined for each individual case based on its complexity (expertise, time and equipment required). Contact lens consultation services are not a covered benefit for 99% of vision insurance plans.

This is a common myth. Many children, as well as nearsighted adults, may believe that glasses have weakened their eyes when their lens prescription needs to be made stronger. Glasses, however, do not weaken eyes; they are simply aids to improve vision. Your eyes will not grow weaker as a result of using corrective lenses. Your prescription may change over time due to aging or the presence of disease, but it is not because of your current prescription. Anyone who limits use of glasses based on this theory is just sacrificing clarity. Any parent who limits their children's use of glasses based on this theory is being neglectful according to the American Medical Association.

According to the American Optometric Association, children should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age. Children should then have additional eye exams at age 3, and again at 5 or 6 years old. Dr. Belill then recommends a complete examination every 12 months. Some vision problems, such as lazy eye, are treated best if detected and corrected as early as possible, while the child's vision system is still developing.

An eye exam for an infant or young child definitely differs from that of an older child or adult. With an infant, Dr. Belill may test pupil response to light, the ability of the eyes to fixate and follow an object, and visual preferences. With a preschool-age child, Dr. Belill may use charts with symbols rather than letters. Retinoscopy will most likely be performed. This involves shining a light into the eye and observing the reflection from the back of the eye to aid in determining the eyeglass prescription. Dr. Belill may also have your child wear 3-D glasses to view special patterns to assess the ability of the eyes to work together. Dr. Belill, having two young children of his own, has added experience and an extra advantage when performing infant and child eye exams. He uses many different toys and props such as hand puppets or maracas.

The lens in the eye, which lies behind the iris and pupil, is made of mostly water and protein. With the aging process, some of the protein may clump together and cloud areas of the lens. This area is a cataract. Over time, these areas may grow larger and make it more and more difficult to see.

LASIK is a surgical procedure that permanently removes corneal tissue to reshape the eye in order to reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses. The physical results are permanent. However, eyes can still change or possibly regress over time. It does not prevent common eye diseases, such as cataracts, that are part of the normal aging process.

Lasik does not prevent age-related need for reading glasses (presbyopia). Presbyopia usually starts between ages of 38-48 and will gradually cause blurred vision at near. If someone has lasik surgery, there is a 100% chance they will eventually need Dr. Belill to prescribe corrective lenses for tasks such as reading books, computers or any other hand-held electronic devices.

YES. Optometrists in Michigan have been licensed to use ocular medications to:

• dilate the pupil since 1985
• provide care for Medicare patients since 1987
• treat infections, reduce pain or inflammation since 1995
• treat glaucoma since 1997