Eye Examinations | Contact Lenses | Optical Dispensing; Frames, Lens Features | Laser Vision Correction | Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, Removal of Foreign Objects and Dry Eyes | Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes | Macular Degeneration Detection (MacuScope) | InfantSEE | Your Child's Vision

Eye Examinations

When you come for your appointment, we make sure to schedule ample time so you will never feel rushed. Our office provides complete eye care for both adults and children. During your comprehensive eye health evaluation your eyes will be checked for any potential eye disorders or diseases. Your visual skills and abilities are carefully evaluated and appropriate treatment is prescribed, whether it's medication, lenses, or vision therapy.  

We are prepared to handle your eye care needs with the latest in diagnostic equipment and eye care technology.

Contact Lenses

Remember a contact lens is a medical device. You want to order from someone who knows your needs and will provide personalized follow-up care.  Our professionals are experts in fitting contact lenses and can handle the most specialized needs. Whether rigid or soft lenses, we are experienced in handling the most difficult of prescriptions.

If you have allergies, then you know allergies can be particularly annoying to contact lens wearers. However, new lens materials and medications have eliminated the burning, itchy eyes experienced by allergy suffers. Prescription medications such as Patanol and Zaditor are amazingly effective and safe even in children as young as three. Let us know when you come in for your appointment if you have special allergy needs and we will be happy to help you.

Optical Dispensing

We are excited to offer you the latest frame designs in a beautiful setting. Our highly qualified opticians will adjust and fit your glasses to you for extended comfort and vision.

We have a complete line of sun wear to choose from as well as magnetic and standard clips to protect your eyes from the damaging UV rays of the sun.

Laser Vision Correction

Do you want to be less dependent on glasses or contact lenses? You may be a candidate for refractive surgery. Here's what you need to know.

The most common technique available now is LASIK, which is an acronym for Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis. This basically means laser light is used to reshape the cornea to correct an eye that is nearsighted, farsighted, or has astigmatism. Reducing your dependence on glasses or contact lenses will mean more freedom in your work and leisure activities.

There is no pain during the procedure because the eye is numbed with drops. There is an improvement in the vision immediately after the procedure and continues to clear as the eye heals. You should miss work the day of the procedure, but may return the next day.

The cost is around $2,000 per eye and insurance doesn't cover it because they view it as elective, cosmetic surgery.

We are certified to do all the pre-op and post-op examinations. I can determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure during the pre-op visit.

I know many people who are extremely happy with their results. This may be the answer for you too! Contact Uptown Eye Care for more information or e-mail us for a free brochure on LASIK refractive surgery.

Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, Removal of Foreign Objects and Dry Eyes

Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, and Removal of Foreign Objects:   Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries and removal of foreign objects. Please call our office at 763-271-2020. 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.

Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes

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.

Macular Degeneration Detection (MacuScope)

Download our brochure about Macular Degeneration Detection (MacuScope)

We can predict your future risk!
Uptown Eye Care is the first clinic in Minnesota to offer a proactive approach to Age Related Macular Degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the world. The MacuScope detects one of the major risk factors of Macular Degeneration, which is the loss of macular protective pigment (MPP).

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) what is that?
AMD is the leading cause of legal blindness in the world today, currently affecting more than 30 million people worldwide. AMD is the degeneration of the macula, the portion of the eye that is responsible for crisp straight-ahead vision. Peripheral vision is generally maintained but AMD is the primary cause of central vision loss. There is no treatment for Macular Degeneration but early risk detection is critical to preserving one’s vision. A preventative treatment program that uses supplements and possibly lifestyle changes can help to manage the deficiency of macular protective pigment (MPP).

Detection
The MacuScope performs a painless, non-invasive test, which requires no dilation, and is able to measure and track MPP changes in the macula. This allows eye care professionals to place patients in one of three categories: high risk, average, or low risk for the potential of developing AMD.

Treatment
For those at high risk (low MPP) a treatment program, using ocular supplements could be developed to re-pigment the macula. The supplements we recommend are Lutein Plus, Occuvite, I-Caps, Eye Health, and Macusheild. Lifestyle changes will also help protect your vision such as wearing sunglasses, smoking cessation, weight loss and other healthy choices.

AMD risk factors
Low MPP levels
Family history
Obesity
Sun exposure
Fatty diets
Light colored eyes
Poor nutrition
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular disease
Gender – Women are at a higher risk than men

Here is what our patients have to say...

"It's good to know now that I'm at risk so I can do something about it."
               •  Connie, Monticello

"I'm telling other friends about it."
               •  Arlis, Buffalo

" After seeing the destruction wet macular degeneration created in my mother's life, I wanted to be proactive and take whatever precautions were necessary to prevent the same thing from happening to me. When I saw the news feature for the MacuScope at Uptown Eye Care I knew this was something I wanted to investigate. My test results along with my genetics put me at very high risk. To combat the disease I will take Eye Health for six months and recheck my score on the MacuScope to see if supplementation has been beneficial. I like the fact that the MacuScope gives me measurable results to track my progress."
               •  Nancy Shermoen, RN, International Falls

InfantSEE®

Helping Infants to Establish a Lifetime of Healthy Vision

Cooing, sitting up and crawling are signs that your baby is growing. Your baby's vision has stages of development too, but usually there are no signs to mark the progress.

The American Optometric Association encourages parents to include a trip to the optometrist in the list of well-baby check-ups. Assessments at six to twelve months of age can determine healthy development of vision. Early detection of eye conditions is the best way to ensure your child has healthy vision for successful development—now and in the future.

Pediatricians provide an important base-level eye screening that is designed to detect gross eye abnormalities.  A comprehensive eye assessment by an optometrist is designed to detect much more and is an important part of your well baby care.

InfantSEE® is a public health program designed to ensure that eye and vision care becomes an integral part of infant wellness care to improve a child's quality of life. Under this program, member optometrists will provide a comprehensive infant eye assessment within the first year of life as a no cost public health service.

Why should I take my baby to an InfantSEE® provider?

An InfantSEE® assessment between six and 12 months of age is recommended to determine if an infant is at risk for eye or vision disorders. Since many eye problems arise from conditions that can be identified by an eye doctor in the infant’s first year of life, a parent can give an infant a great gift by seeking an InfantSEE® assessment.

One in every 10 children is at risk from undiagnosed eye and vision problems. Many eye and vision problems are not being identified at an early age, when they might be prevented or more easily corrected. Early intervention is critical to successful and cost-effective treatment. Unfortunately, most children probably never see an eye care practitioner who can provide the kind of professional eye assessment necessary to identify critical eye and vision problems at an early stage, explain those conditions to parents, and provide the care necessary to correct those problems.

Your baby’s first visit to your doctor of optometry for a comprehensive eye assessment should be scheduled at six months of age. The optometrist will test for visual acuity, excessive or unequal amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, evaluate eye alignment, and examine eye teaming ability.  The health of your baby’s eyes will be assessed as well. Although problems are not common, it is important to identify children who have specific risk factors at this stage. Vision development and eye health problems can be more easily corrected if treatment is begun early.

Please call Uptown Eye Care to schedule your baby’s no cost comprehensive eye assessment today at 763-271-2020.

How an InfantSEE® Assessment Is Conducted

During the assessment, parents might hold the baby on their laps or on a lap pillow and might also assist by holding targets or toys to hold the baby’s attention. Optometrists will gauge the babies’ comfort levels with specific techniques and adjust them as necessary, but will typically evaluate visual acuity, refraction, motility, alignment, binocularity and overall eye health. These tests will determine signs of strabismus, amblyopia or diseases of the eye.

Using very simple instruments, such as penlights, finger puppets or toys, the optometrist tests the eye’s ability to move by getting the baby’s attention and observing how the baby follows the movements of the object. By shining a penlight toward the baby’s eyes, the doctor can gauge eye alignment, which is straight if the light is reflected in the center of both eyes. The optometrist can also assess a baby’s depth perception by using red/green glasses (commonly known as 3-D glasses), and displaying 3-D pictures. To a baby with good eye coordination, the pictures will appear in 3-D, and the infant will then reach to touch the picture.

The optometrist will assess the eye’s external structure as well as eyelids, tear ducts and other parts of the eye. Often, the optometrist can detect existing allergies from an external assessment. Pupil function is then checked, followed by an examination of the inner eye through dilated pupils, which can also detect ocular diseases such as retinoblastoma, the seventh most common pediatric cancer.

Following the assessment, in addition to sharing findings with the parents, the optometrist may send summary information to the infant’s pediatrician, family physician or other appropriate practitioners reporting and explaining any significant condition diagnosed in the course of the assessment.

Your Child's Vision

Dominant Eye:
The dominant eye is the eye that looks directly at an object. The non-dominant eye is the eye that looks at the same object at a slight angle. This small difference provides depth perception...

A test to determine eye dominance:
With the both eyes open, raise your right arm and point to an object in the distance. Anything more than about 20 feet away is ideal. Continue to look at and point at the object and cover the left eye. Did your pointing finger seem to move off the target? Continue pointing and cover your right eye. Did your pointing finger seem to move off the target with your right eye covered? Your dominant eye is the eye you using when the pointing finger does not seem to move. Being right or left handed will not necessarily determine if you are right or left eye dominant.

Another test to determine eye dominance:

Step One
Make a triangle with both of your hands by overlapping your thumbs and the top half of your fingers.

Step Two
Extend your arms toward your target.

Step Three
Look through the triangle at the target.

Step Four
Keep your hand-triangle small enough so that only one eye can look through it up close.

Step Five
Keep both eyes open.

Step Six
Move your hands back to your face, still looking at the target through your hands. Whichever eye your hands gravitate toward is your dominant eye.

Step Seven
Double check by holding the triangle at arms distance again and closing your non-dominant eye. The target should remain centered in the opening.

Color Vision:
The ability to perceive differences in color, including hue, saturation and brightness.

Online color vision test:
Test online
Color blindness is an abnormal condition characterized by the inability to clearly distinguish different colors of the spectrum. The difficulties can be mild to severe. It is a misleading term because people with color blindness are not blind. Rather, they tend to see colors in a limited range of hues; a rare few may not see colors at all.

Because many learning materials are color-coded, it is important to diagnose color vision deficiency early in life. This is why the American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive optometric examination before a child begins school.

Color vision deficiency is usually inherited and cannot be cured, but those affected can often be taught to adapt to the inability to distinguish colors.

Vision Therapy
Vision therapy -- a type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain -- is a highly effective non-surgical treatment for many common visual problems such as lazy eye, crossed eyes, double vision, convergence insufficiency and some reading and learning disabilities. Many patients who have been told, "it's too late," or "you'll have to learn to live with it" have benefited from vision therapy.

In the case of learning disabilities, vision therapy is specifically directed toward resolving visual problems which interfere with reading, learning and educational instruction. Optometrists do not claim that vision therapy is a direct treatment for learning disabilities.

What is involved in a Vision Therapy program?
Vision therapy is a progressive program of vision "exercises" or procedures performed under doctor supervision. The therapy is individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient and is generally conducted in-office once or twice weekly in 30 to 60 minute sessions. It is sometimes supplemented with procedures done at home in between visits.

Common Eye Problems:
Amblyopia, Conjunctivitis, Nearsighted, Farsighted, Astigmatism, Convergence Insufficiency

Convergence Insufficiency
An eye muscle condition in which the eyes do not cross (converge) or look at near with ease and efficiency. This visual condition is the leading cause of eyestrain, blurry vision, double vision (diplopia), and/or headaches. It is easily treated with orthoptics or vision therapy.

• Convergence insufficiency disorder can interfere with the ability to read, learn, and work at near (close distances).

• Patients should be made aware that convergence insufficiency is a fairly common condition and that treatment is very effective.

• Treatments range from passive (prism lenses) to active (office-based vision therapy/orthoptics).

• According to a recent survey, home-based pencil pushups therapy (PPT) is the most commonly prescribed treatment, but studies show that compliance (patient cooperation) is poor and that this treatment does not eliminate symptoms.

• Eye surgery is rarely recommended.

• The basic eye exam by a pediatrician is not adequate for the detection of convergence insufficiency (as well as other visual conditions).

• A person can pass the 20/20 eye chart test and still have convergence insufficiency.

• Convergence Insufficiency can be treated at any age.

What are the Symptoms of Convergence Insufficiency?
People who have convergence insufficiency may show and/or complain of the following while doing close work (i.e., reading, computer work, deskwork, playing handheld video games, doing crafts, etc.):

• eyestrain (especially with or after reading)
• headaches
• inability to concentrate
• short attention span
• frequent loss of place
• squinting, rubbing, closing or covering an eye
• blurred vision
• sleepiness (especially while reading)
• trouble remembering what was read
• words move, jump, swim or appear to float on the page
• problems with motion sickness and/or vertigo
• double vision

It is not unusual for people with convergence insufficiency to cover or close one eye while reading to relieve the blurring or double vision. Symptoms will be worsened by illness, lack of sleep, anxiety, and/or prolonged close work.

What is Amblyopia (lazy eye)?
Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is the eye condition noted by reduced vision not correctable by glasses or contact lenses and is not due to any eye disease. The brain, for some reason, does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. This almost always affects only one eye but may manifest with reduction of vision in both eyes. It is estimated that three percent of children under six have some form of amblyopia.

Lazy Eye and Strabismus are not the same condition.

Many people make the mistake of saying that a person who has a crossed or turned eye (strabismus) has a "lazy eye," but lazy eye (amblyopia) and strabismus are not the same condition. Some of the confusion may be due to the fact that strabismus can cause amblyopia. Amblyopia can result from a constant unilateral strabismus (i.e., either the right or left eye turns all of the time). Alternating or intermittent strabismus (an eye turn which occurs only some of the time) rarely causes amblyopia.

While a deviating eye (strabismus) may be easily spotted by the layman, amblyopia without strabismus or associated with a small deviation usually can be not noticed by either you or your pediatrician. Only an eye doctor comfortable in examining young children and infants can detect this type of amblyopia. This is why early infant and pre-school eye examinations are so necessary.

Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the eyeball). Conjunctivitis can be caused by allergies, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, or underlying health conditions.

The symptoms of infectious conjunctivitis caused by a bacteria or viruses are:

• Eye pain
• Swelling of the eyes
• Redness in the eyes
• Yellow, green or watery discharge from the eyes which collects overnight and crusts over the eye
• A gritty feeling in the eye
• Itching of the eye
• An enlarged lymph gland in front of the ear

The symptoms of conjunctivitis caused by allergies are:

• Intense itching of the eye
• Excessive tearing of the eye
• Swelling of the eye
• Redness of the eye
• Sneezing
• Runny nose

Symptoms for the other causes of noninfectious conjunctivitis are dependent on the circumstances (i.e., if the conjunctivitis is caused by smog, the person may experience itchy, red eyes; if the conjunctivitis is caused by a chemical in the eye, the person may experience burning, red eyes and blurred vision).

Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness, or myopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which near objects are seen clearly, but distant objects do not come into proper focus.

Nearsightedness is a very common vision condition that affects nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population. Some evidence supports the theory that nearsightedness is hereditary. There is also growing evidence that nearsightedness may be caused by the stress of too much close vision work. It normally first occurs in school-age children. Because the eye continues to grow during childhood, nearsightedness generally develops before age 20.

A sign of nearsightedness is difficulty seeing distant objects like a movie or TV screen or chalkboard. A comprehensive optometric examination will include testing for nearsightedness. Your optometrist can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to optically correct nearsightedness.

Farsightedness
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, as it is medically termed, is a vision condition in which distant objects are usually seen clearly, but close ones do not come into proper focus. Farsightedness occurs if your eyeball is too short or the cornea has too little curvature, so light entering your eye is not focused correctly.

Common signs of farsightedness include difficulty in concentrating and maintaining a clear focus on near objects, eye strain, fatigue and/or headaches after close work, aching or burning eyes, irritability or nervousness after sustained concentration.
Common vision screenings, often done in schools, are generally ineffective in detecting farsightedness. A comprehensive optometric examination will include testing for farsightedness.

In mild cases of farsightedness, your eyes may be able to compensate without corrective lenses. In other cases, your optometrist can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to optically correct farsightedness by altering the way the light enters your eyes.

Astigmatism
Astigmatism is a vision condition that occurs when the front surface of your eye, the cornea, is slightly irregular in shape. This irregular shape prevents light from focusing properly on the back of your eye, the retina. As a result, your vision may be blurred at all distances.
People with severe astigmatism will usually have blurred or distorted vision, while those with mild astigmatism may experience headaches, eye strain, fatigue or blurred vision at certain distances.
Most people have some degree of astigmatism. A comprehensive optometric examination will include testing to diagnose astigmatism and determine the degree.

Almost all levels of astigmatism can be optically corrected with properly prescribed and fitted eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.



When light enters an eye with astigmatism, the light focuses at differing points.

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