Call for an appointment: Chandler, AZ (480) 812-2211

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about their vision and general eye health issues.  Please don't hesitate to contact us with your questions by calling us @ 480-812-2211 

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A: Contact lenses decrease the amount of oxygen that gets to the cornea.  This increases the risk of corneal ulcers (bacteria eating away at the cornea) or other serious, sight-threatening eye conditions.  

People who do the best in contact lenses, that can wear them for years with no problems, are typically those who take their contact lenses out in the early evening, and give their eyes a break from their contact lenses one or two days a week.  They have very nice glasses with their current prescription.

Those who have problems with contact lenses are almost always those who over wear their contact lenses.  They usually do not have a good pair of glasses they really like.  They're really in a bind when they get an eye infection that precludes them from wearing their contact lenses, but also precludes the doctor from obtaining a good glasses prescription.

Some patients say: "I don't like wearing glasses so I'm just going to get a cheap pair of glasses, I don't care how ugly they are".   This is a bit like saying you don't like politicians so you're going to vote for the worst candidate. Generally if you can't afford good glasses and contact lenses, you really shouldn't wear contact lenses. Cars, computers, and homes can be replaced.  Eyes cannot. 

We have enjoyed helping patients get a pair of glasses they love at great prices, so that they have a good option besides their contact lenses. This ultimately results in greater patient satisfaction.

For those who insist on wearing contact lenses only, we usually like to put them in a very high oxygen permeable contact lens that lessens their risk of infection.

Generally, people should not get contact lenses unless they can afford to have a good pair of glasses with their current, updated prescription. 

People who wear Acuvue brand contact lenses should especially be cautious to limit their contact lens use.  In our experience, we see more corneal ulcers in individuals who wear Acuvue lenses than in any other brand.  
A:
Just because a large corporate optical chain can advertise, doesn't make them the best value. Below are some points to consider: 

  • Chains advertise widely.  But usually by the time you add on the features you want in eyeglasses, your costs are far above the advertised prices. 
  • Chains cannot provide the same durable products a private office can offer.  While we can provide lower cost products for budget-conscience patients, we still hold them to a high standard and warranty them.  
  • There is often a lot of turnover of professionals in optical chains. Often you will not have the same doctor the following year. You have no way of knowing the skill level and comfort level of that particular doctor. 
  • Usually private offices have more equipment that enables the diagnosis and monitoring of eye conditions.  This equipment includes corneal topography, pachymetry, fundus cameras, automated visual field analyzers and others. 
  • Chains are often under a lot of time pressure and sometimes find it difficult to give other eye issues the necessary time to address. 
  • Often chains do not have the ability or time to address eye health conditions such as red eye, glaucoma, diabetes, etc.  
  • Chains often cannot bill medical insurance. We bill mosts medical insurances, often offsetting the cost of your exam. 
  • Chains often have a more limited range of frame selection. 
  • Chains often provide brand name frames that are discontinued.  Replacing them may sometimes be a problem. 
  • Chains provide limited warranties on their products, or no warranty at all.  And sometimes you have to pay extra for those warranties.  Break it or scratch it, you buy a new one.  
  • A large percentage of money spent at chains goes to national corporations out of state.  A much higher percentage of money spent at a private doctor stays in the local economy.  
  • Chains must send all their products out, taking longer.  We cut jobs in office, enabling us to sometimes get them to you the same day!
  • We are dependent on your referrals, therefore your satisfaction is imperative to us.  At Sonoran Desert Eye Center, you're not just a number, you're family!
  • Our staff do not earn their bonus based on how much they sell, but on how much they satisfy. 
A:

Eye exams are recommended periodically, with the interval differing for various age groups.  In the first three years of infancy, a child should have vision checked along with normal pediatric checkups.  Between the ages of three and six (the most crucial period of eye development) an eye exam should be scheduled every year or two.  After that period, until adulthood, exams should be scheduled as necessary.  

Of course, people with vision problems come in more regularly.

Vision in teens often change yearly.

Individuals that wear glasses tend to get their eyes re-examined every 2 or 3 years. 

Individuals that wear contact lenses tend to get their eyes re-examined every 12 to 18 months. 

Glaucoma patients tend to be examined every 4 months. 

Diabetics should be seen at least every 12 months.  More frequently, depending on the degree of any retinopathy.

Individuals on Plaquenil therapy should be examined every 6 months to watch for retinal toxicity. 

Regular eye exams are the best way to keep you seeing your world clearly.

Contact us today at 480-812-2211 to schedule an eye exam!
A:

Many serious eye diseases often have little or no symptoms until they are well developed.  The only way to diagnose a problem early in such a case is to schedule periodic eye exams.  This is the best way to preserve the clearest vision possible for life.

The most common eye problem we catch are retina tears and holes.  Every day people, whether they need vision correction or not, go blind from retina detachments that could have been prevented if they had been caught as a retina hole.  These cannot be caught without a dilated eye exam. 

Contact us today at 480-812-2211 to schedule an eye exam!

A: Yes.  Dr. Quaranta can see all children.  We will use symbols rather than letters.  We have objective methods of determining the vision correction needs of a child that doesn't require a child's response. 

If eye surgery or vision therapy is required, Dr. Quaranta can refer to the appropriate specialist.   
A: No.  But there are things we can't see without dilating. Tell Dr. Quaranta you would like NOT to have your eyes dilated. Probably about 85% of our patients dilate their eyes during their yearly comprehensive examination.    

Dr. Quaranta likes to dilate the eyes because he can see the inner structures of the eye much better.  He has less chance of missing something like a retinal hole or an eye tumor.  It's like opening the door and turning the lights on rather than looking through a cracked-open door with a flashlight. 

You are entitled to a dilated eye exam with most insurances.  Dr. Quaranta won't charge extra to dilate your eyes.  

We wait until you select your new frame before dilating the eyes, so you can SEE what your picking!  

If you want to be dilated on another day, we can accommodate you, but we often do so under your health or medical insurance, not your vision insurance.

Dilation makes the eye exam process longer by about 20 to 30 minutes, it makes you light sensitive for about 3-4 hours, and it makes a small percentage of people unable to drive for a few hours afterwards.  So if you're willing to be dilated, plan for more time, bring dark sunglasses (we can give you sunshades if you need them), and consider bringing someone with you. 

If we don't dilate, we cannot discover the retinal tears and holes that eventually lead to potentially blinding retinal detachments. 
A: When you allow us to care for you, you become like family to us. 

We have an in-office lab that enables us to provide eyewear with more efficiency and accuracy, and at lower cost. 

We have a fantastic selection of frames in our inventory, tended by staff that spend the time to give you the look and comfort you want. 

Dr. Quaranta has over 15 years of experience dealing with some of the most difficult cases in eyecare, at a tertiary eyecare center.  

We have very convenient hours, including evening and weekends.

We have appointments available today or tomorrow!

Our pricing policy is to provide our products at the lowest price possible because we think of you as our family and friends.  
A: Contact lenses take time and skill to fit, especially for patients who have never worn them. We do all we can to minimize our exam fees. We hope you understand why exam fees must be charged. 
  1. It takes time to discuss the benefits and risks of wearing contact lenses.
  2. We have to discuss your visual needs to determine what kind of contact lenses would be best for you.
  3. Additional tests are necessary to fit the proper curvature of contact lenses.
  4. The trial lenses available in the office occupy much office space. 
  5. Lenses for astigmatism takes about three times as long as non-astigmatism lenses, therefore the exam fee for astigmatism lenses is higher.
  6. We must give additional time and attention to new contact lens wearers. Our staff teaches new wearers how to insert, remove, and care for the lenses.
  7. We see you for follow-ups as many times and as long as necessary your contact lenses are meeting your needs.  There are no extra charges for these visits. 
  8. We provide new cases and solutions to you at no extra charge. 
  9. We provide as many trial lenses as necessary free of charge.  
  10. The exam fee enables us to give you the attention and care you need. 
  11. You are also paying for your doctor's expertise when you get contact lenses.  You want to pay your doctor enough so that he feels it's worth it to take the time and have the resources available to fit you in the best lens for you.  
A: We love our patients and consider them our friends and family members.  Without you we cannot grow and succeed.  You can help us in a number of ways:

  1. Tell your friends, co-workers,  and family members about us and hand them our card.  
  2. Search for us on major search engines and write a review telling people how they can expect to be treated here. 
  3. Give us advice on how we can do better.  We want to know if our prices are too high or too low, if you were treated like family or not, if we took too long or too short with you, and if there's anything we can improve on.  Our customer service e-mail is customerservice@sonorandeserteye.com
  4. Link to us from your webpage or blog.  www.sonorandeserteye.com
  5. Become a fan of   Sonoran Desert Eye Center on Facebook.  Tell your Facebook friends about us.
A:

If you are considering LASIK eye surgery, it means you are living with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, and probably currently wear glasses or contact lenses.  LASIK is a great way to reduce your dependence on, or completely free yourself from, corrective lenses.  It may be especially appealing because of your profession or lifestyle.  It could be that you cannot wear contact lenses and dislike the appearance of glasses, or you may just want to reduce the expense and hassle of glasses and contacts.

However, LASIK is not appropriate for everyone.  There are several factors which determine the best candidate, including age, medical history, individual eye anatomy, and expectations.  Each person is a unique case requiring individual evaluation.

No website can tell you for sure if you are a good candidate for LASIK.  The only way to find out is to schedule a LASIK eligibility exam.  Be prepared to talk about your medical history, and any current diseases or medications.  You will also discuss instructions and expectations for the procedure, recovery, and results.  You will be given a comprehensive eye examination, including some tests especially tailored to evaluate whether your eyes are appropriate for the corrective surgery.  From the results of this exam, the doctor can work with you to decide if LASIK is the right choice for you.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
A:

It is important to realize that, like any surgery, LASIK is not without risk.  However, major complications are extremely rare.  Minor complications occasionally occur, such as dry eye, and halos or glare around lights at night.  However, such problems are uncommon, are often treatable, and will usually reduce or disappear within months of the surgery.
A:

Any abnormal phenomena or changes in your vision can indicate a variety of possible problems.  The key to preserving vision in the face of most eye diseases is early treatment.  Thus it is important to consult an eye care provider if you notice anything unusual or any change in your vision.  It could be a serious problem, or it could be inconsequential, but the peace of mind and the possibility of catching a serious problem early are certainly worth it.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
A:

Many people achieve 20/20 vision, or better, after undergoing LASIK eye surgery.  Although patients experience an improvement in their vision, some may still need to wear corrective lenses for certain tasks, though the necessary power of correction will be much smaller than before.

The result of the LASIK procedure is also influenced by the amount of correction needed.  Patients within a few diopters of 20/20 vision most often achieve sufficient results after undergoing LASIK that they no longer require corrective lenses.  Patients with a wider error, especially those who are extremely nearsighted, sometimes will still require corrective lenses after the surgery, though their prescription will be greatly reduced.
A: If you don't want to wear glasses there are several options:

  1. Contact lenses.  These should contacts that breath a lot of oxygen if you're not willing to wear glasses part time. 
  2. LASIK surgery.  This is mostly for those with mild near- or far-sightedness with mild to moderate astigmatism. 
  3. ICL. This means Implantable Collamer Lens.  This is an implant that is inserted behind your iris.  This procedure is great for people with moderate to severe near-sightedness. 
  4. Lensectomy with intraocular lens placement.  This is best for older patients with cataracts.  There are now intraocular lens implants that can focus both far and near.  However, these come at an extra cost to patients. 
A:

An opthalmologist is a medical doctor who completed a residency in ophthalmology after medical school.  Practically speaking most ophthalmologists manage eye disease and perform surgery.  General ophthalmologists enjoy maximizing their time performing cataract surgery and LASIK surgery.  A few ophthalmologists may prescribe glasses and even contact lenses.  Ophthalmology specialists are those who completed fellowship training following their residency.  These include specialists in retina disease, glaucoma surgery, oculoplastic surgery, cornea disease, neuro-ophthalmology, and pediatrics.   There are varying degrees of skill amongst these eye surgeons and specialists and it is best to seek the advise of a well-established optometrist to help in your selection.

Optometrists are primary eye care doctors who completed 4 years of optometry school after college.  Many optometrists complete residencies in ocular disease, contact lens specialty, pediatrics, low-vision, and other fields.  Optometrists may prescribe all topical and many oral pharmaceuticals related to eye disease.  Optometrists may perform minor in-office procedures such as removal of foreign bodies and misdirected eye lashes, and instillation of punctal plugs for dry eye.  An optometrist may practice in a commercial setting as an employee, work as an employee of an opthalmology clinic,  or may own their own private practice.  Most optometrists in commercial settings limit their practice to prescribing glasses and contact lenses.  Optometrists in private practice usually have an expanded scope of practice and may specialize in pediatric eye care, glaucoma, low-vision, and ocular disease management.  Private doctors are very dependent on patient satisfaction and retention.

An optician is an individual who dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses.  While not necessary, special training and certification is available for opticians.  A good optician is one who knows how to interpret the doctor's prescription, is familiar with your various lens options, spends the time to help you choose the best frame for your style, face shape, and prescription, and spends time adjusting your glasses to fit your face appropriately.  

The best professional is one who will listen to your needs and take the time to explain the benefits and disadvantages of each option.  A good professional will do everything within their power to make you happy and satisfied. 

A: Yes. We have staff to care for your infant during your exam. We put in Disney movies for younger children and that seems to keep them happy through the process.  We provide suckers, water, or other treats for children as necessary. 
A: Flashes come generally from traction on the retina, retinal tears, or migraine aura (often without headache).  If you are experiencing flashes of light, you should be seen immediately since retinal tears can rapidly turn in to retinal detachment, resulting in permanent vision loss. 
A: We believe the vision program that gives the most benefits for the money is Vision Care Direct.  Vision Care Direct is NOT an insurance company.  It is a non-profit organization managed by independent eye care practitioners who have formed a statewide association of peers to deliver affordable, high-quality eye care DIRECTLY to the community. 

Vision Care Direct gives individuals a choice of frame allowances, benefit level and/or multiple combinations of benefits at the same time.  They provide options that no other vision plan can offer. 

Learn more about Vision Care Direct
A: No.  Not yet anyway. The camera is called Optos and it takes a wide field view of the entire retina without dilating the eyes.  It is useful to discover large lesions.  It costs about $35.00 extra per patient and insurance doesn't cover it. Many doctors incorporate it into their practice because, by substituting it for dilation and having patients pay the extra $35.00, they increase their profits. 

While the Optos is a convenient technology it has it's limitations that prevents it from taking the place of the dilated eye exam.  The first limitation is the magnification.  Small retinal holes can be easily missed.  Secondly, it is a two dimensional image which makes it impossible to see the three dimensional elevations and depressions we can easily see during a dilated eye exam. 

We may or may not incorporate this technology in the future.  We really want to make things as convenient as possible for patients, but we don't want to sacrifice thorough patient care.  Optos, aside from being really cool technology, does not take the place of dilation.  But it may be useful in situations where a patient cannot be dilated.  
A: Studies show that less than half of contact lens wearers replace their lenses when they're supposed to.  A lot of patients tell me that they know it's time to replace their lenses when their eyes start bothering them.  They are proud of the fact they can make their lenses last longer than prescribed. 

Wearing a contact lens longer than prescribed defeats the purpose of a disposable contact lens.  Lens deposits develop on the cornea and the eye begins to have an inflammatory reaction to the deposits.  As time goes on this inflammatory reaction causes intolerance to contact lenses. 

People that reach intolerance to contact lenses always say "this has never happened before".  It's because they will  never let it happen again.  

It is not worth sacrificing your eyes to save money.  If you can't afford to replace your contact lenses as prescribed, then please consider just wearing glasses or having refractive surgery.  
A: There are several advantages to coming to Sonoran Desert Eye Center for refractive surgery or cataract surgery.

It does not cost you any more to have us co-manage your surgery.  Dr. Quaranta has managed surgery with many surgeons for over 15 years.  He knows who performs surgery the best and who to avoid.  He will be honest about whether or not you're a good candidate for surgery, since his income is independent on you having refractive surgery. 

Another advantage is that when we refer you, the surgeon becomes accountable not just to you, but to us as well.  There is a redundancy and duplication of data measurements that ensures accuracy and precision.  In addition, Dr. Quaranta is more accessible post operatively than are the most surgeons. 

Consider Sonoran Desert Eye Center as your primary eye care provider and as the first step in pursuing refractive or cataract surgery.