Is “Eye Exam” On Your Child’s Back-to-School Checklist?

Preparing for the start of a new school year? Perhaps you should add Eye Exam to the top of your child’s school list.

“Starting by age five, children should have already had at least one eye exam by a professional” says Dr. James Bryan, MD. “Vision is a critical tool when it comes to your child learning.” In fact, experts say that 80% of what children learn in school is achieved visually. However, it is reported that one in four school-age children have some form of vision problem which can interfere with academic performance.

Family history can also play a role making it especially important that the child receives a complete eye exam if a parent or sibling is known to have any eye problems.

If you notice your child squinting, uninterested in reading, or seems to be "daydreaming" because he cannot see the letters in a book or on the board, it might be time to make an eye appointment.

Please call our office to schedule an appointment for your child with either Dr. Bryan or Dr. Scroggs at 919-967-4836.

If You've Had Vision Correction, You WANT to Read This

As technology evolves, we have discovered that it is crucial for refractive surgery patients (if you’ve had LASIK, PRK, etc) to keep a record of pre-operation information that will be needed for future eye surgery, such as cataract surgery.

Dr. Bryan has started giving his patients their surgical operative report with vital information such as their eyes’ pre-operative measurements. This is an essential part of your health files and should be kept in a safe place for future reference. If you’ve had one of these surgeries, including RK (radial keratotomy) with Dr. Bryan when he began at Durham Clinic in 1993 (which later changed their name to Regional Specialty Physicians), then call Pam now to get your information at 919-945-3937. Also note that Dr. Bryan was in practice with North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat in 2000 before opening his private practice with Dr. Scroggs which is now Carolina Ophthalmology Associates.

This is yet another excellent reason why you made the decision to have YOUR surgery with Dr. Bryan and not the bargain basement down the street that no longer has your information after seven years or worse yet, has gone out of business.

Happy Birthday COA!

March marks the eighth year anniversary for Carolina Ophthalmology Associates. Wanting to provide a more personal hometown feel for their patients, Drs. Mark Scroggs and James Bryan left their positions at NC Eye and Ear Hospital in 2001 to open their own private practice that was located on East Franklin Street.

Since then, we moved our four employees from an office with two exam rooms to the Boyd Hall Building on VilCom Circle that we are currently located in that entails six exam rooms, an expanded optical shop, a laser suite and 12 employees.

The physicians have been careful to balance growth without compensating the patients’ personal experience. Dr. Scroggs explains, “We have an emphasis on the patient’s care and continue to build and improve upon their satisfaction whether they are here for a routine exam or a complex ocular condition.”

As with any anniversary, the family at COA must also look to the future while reflecting on our past. Dr. Bryan adds, “We are constantly focusing on creating the best possible eye care practice that the people in our community and their families can trust and want to refer others.”

If there is any area of our practice that you feel could improve, please let us know by sending an email to want2see@carolina2020.com. We do value your comments and suggestions.