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An annual eye exam is way more than making sure you are seeing your best; we can help determine your vision needs as well as detect overall health issues. Making sure you stay healthy, feel great, and leave confident is our goal every day.
Thayer Eye Care is the local eye doctor to see for all of your Optometry needs in West Des Moines, IA. From contact lens examinations to contact lens fittings to general eye care, Thayer Eye Care will help diagnose, treat, and assess your overall health—and how it affects your eyes. Busy? We offer online, walk-in, and same day exams to fit your schedule. Thayer Eye Care also accepts many insurance carriers and discount plans. Come visit our office at 5405 Mills Civic Pkwy West Des Moines, IA 50266 and schedule an eye exam today!
Dr. Peter Thayer
An annual eye exam is way more than making sure you are seeing your best; we can help determine your vision needs as well as detect overall health issues. Making sure you stay healthy, feel great, and leave confident is our goal every day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring for my eye exam?
What should I bring for my eye exam?
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The most important thing to bring is yourself. However, it is helpful to bring your vision and medical insurance card, along with your current glasses or contact lenses. Please, don't forget to bring a mask since they are a local requirement and if you have any specific questions, feel free to bring them to your appointment or call our doctor to discuss.
What is the difference between an eye exam and a vision screening?
What is the difference between an eye exam and a vision screening?
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A comprehensive eye exam is administered by an optometrist and can detect not only vision problems but problems with eye health and general health as well. A vision screening is typically performed by a general medical practitioner such as a pediatrician or a nurse. While a vision screening can help identify vision issues, it can miss many important issues that a comprehensive eye exam can identify. This is why everyone is encouraged to get annual eye exams. Schedule your eye exam today!
What is involved in an eye exam?
What is involved in an eye exam?
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An eye exam involves a series of simple but comprehensive tests that allow your optometrist to assess your vision and your eye health. Your optometrist will discuss the results of your eye exam with you and determine the right prescription to help you to see your best.
Is a contact lens exam different than an eye exam?
Is a contact lens exam different than an eye exam?
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A normal, comprehensive eye exam will allow your optometrist to determine if your eyes are healthy enough to wear contact lenses. During your contact lens fitting, detailed measurements of your eyes will be taken to determine the right contact lenses for you. There is an additional fee for a contact lens fitting and evaluation for all contact lens patients (both new and established patients). Schedule your eye exam today to have all of your questions about contact lenses answered.
Why should I get an eye exam?
Why should I get an eye exam?
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An annual eye exam involves more than just updating your glasses or contact prescription. A comprehensive eye exam can also detect eye health issues as well as general health problems. Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be detected in early stages through an eye exam, and this can result in early treatment. Schedule your annual eye exam today.
Can eye exams detect other health issues?
Can eye exams detect other health issues?
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Eye exams can detect eye health issues such as glaucoma and cataracts. Eye exams can also detect general health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. This is why eye exams are an important part of health maintenance for everyone regardless of age or vision correction needs. Schedule your annual eye exam today.
When should I see an optometrist?
When should I see an optometrist?
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You should see an optometrist once a year whether or not you believe you need vision correction. An annual eye exam can detect not only eye diseases but also other diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Schedule your eye exam today.
What conditions can an optometrist treat?
What conditions can an optometrist treat?
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An optometrist can treat vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. An optometrist also often treats common eye problems like dry eye syndrome and eye infections. An optometrist can also treat chronic eye diseases such as glaucoma. Optometrists are trained to detect and diagnose all eye problems and eye diseases. Schedule an eye exam today if you are experiencing any problems with your eyes or your vision.
What should I expect from the optometrist?
What should I expect from the optometrist?
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At your optometrist appointment, your optometrist usually will check your eye health and evaluate your vision. After the exam, your optometrist will discuss your vision health and the right prescription for you. Your optometrist can also answer any questions you have about your eye health, eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses. Schedule your eye exam today.
How does my vision change with age?
How does my vision change with age?
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Changes in vision that occur with age include reduced pupil size, dry eyes, loss of peripheral vision, decreased color vision, and vitreous detachment. The most common vision problem that comes with age is presbyopia, which is the normal and unavoidable age-related loss of focusing ability. Different types of lenses can provide help for presbyopia. The risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy increases with age too. Your optometrist will discuss any age-related vision problems you’re experiencing at your next annual eye exam.
What is a refraction test?
What is a refraction test?
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Your optometrist uses a refraction test to determine your exact eyeglasses prescription. Through showing you a series of lens choices through a device called a phoropter, your optometrist determines the amount of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism that you have and the lenses needed to correct these vision problems.
Who can wear contact lenses?
Who can wear contact lenses?
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Nearly anyone who needs vision correction can wear contact lenses. Contact lenses can provide vision correction for people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or a combination of these issues. Finding the perfect lens for you is sometimes a process of trial and error. All of the lens parameters can be finalized only after you’ve worn the successful combination. Schedule an eye exam to talk with your optometrist about whether contact lenses would be a good vision correction option for you.
How does an optometrist test my eyes?
How does an optometrist test my eyes?
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An optometrist uses several tests and tools to evaluate your eye health and your vision. Your eye exam usually will include a glaucoma test, a retinal screening, a visual field screening, an extraocular muscle test, and a refraction test. The results of these screenings and tests help your optometrist evaluate your vision and overall eye health.
How is vision measured?
How is vision measured?
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Vision is measured through a series of tests performed at an eye exam. Visual acuity is commonly measured by a series of two numbers, the first number representing the distance from which a person can clearly see something, and the second number representing the distance from which a person with normal vision can see that same thing. This measurement is typically obtained during an eye exam by having a person read from an eye chart with various sizes of letters.
How do I know if my child needs glasses?
How do I know if my child needs glasses?
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Taking your child to an optometrist for an eye exam is the best way to learn if your child needs glasses. Many children who need glasses aren’t aware that they do. Signs of vision problems in children include sitting too close to the television, squinting, sensitivity to light, difficulty with eye-hand coordination, and avoiding visual activities like reading and drawing. To see if your child needs glasses, schedule your child’s eye exam today.
Learn More
Use Your Vision Benefits to Keep the Stress Out of Eye Health
The ball will drop to mark the start of a new year before you know it—and your calendar is nearly full with holly jolly happenings. Don’t miss out on using your vision benefits before they expire. Not only do most vision plans allow for a stress-free eye exam for you and your family*, but you’ll take care of your eye health easily at the same time. Plus, now is the best time to take advantage of all that your insurance has to offer. In addition to an eye exam, consider using your vision benefits to add something to your stocking. Perhaps new frames or lenses are on your wishlist? Some plans include coverage for contact lenses, too. Plus, ask about using your Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Start the new year in style—and feel good knowing everyone’s eyes are healthy.
And, while you’re at it, amidst the hustle and bustle, make a resolution to not take your eyes for granted in 2023. The gift of sight allows you to see the tribe you love and care for—but it’s a gift that needs to be taken care of regularly. Make your vision a priority this upcoming year and begin by booking an eye exam using your vision benefits before time runs out. Schedule your appointment online today.
*Please consult your individual Vision Plan for coverage details.
All Eyes on Eye Health
Discover what our practice can do for you!
Maintaining eye health is one of the most important things you can do for you and your family. Our expert care offers personalized eye exams and more to keep you seeing your best.
