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Doctors see eye to eye
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| EYES HAVE IT: Powell River Optometry Clinic's doctors Gary White [left], and Tom Adamack have all the right tools and expertise to help families care for their eyesight. |
Powell River Optometry Clinic specializes in family vision care
A visit to the optometrist office may not seem like a family affair, but Dr. Tom Adamack's office is a family-oriented practice, including everyone from young children to seniors.
Dr. Gary White, his wife Sara, and son Noah, joined Dr. Adamack's practice three months ago. Dr. Adamack and Dr. White encourage families to actively care for their eyes.
Originally from Montana, Dr. White graduated from Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon in 1991 to practice optometry at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. In 1994, Dr. White returned to Great Falls, Montana, where he owned and operated an optometry office for four years before moving back to San Antonio in 1998. He owned his optometry office in San Antonio from 1998 until moving to Powell River in September.
Dr. White has specialized in children's vision utilizing vision therapy. He is also fellowship-certified for orthokeratology, a non-surgical process to correct vision and eliminate or reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses during the daytime. Orthokeratology is an excellent alternative to Lasik surgery, and is especially beneficial for children because not only does it correct vision, it also slows down or stops the progression of nearsightedness.
Both Dr. Adamack and Dr. White value family and want to make sure that Powell River's families are well taken care of. They both have first-hand knowledge of the importance of ensuring proper eye care for young ones.
"Children's eyes need to be checked at an early age, at least by the age of three, and annually thereafter," says Dr. Adamack. "BC Medical [Services Plan] covers the cost of children's eye exams. It is important to get a child's eyes checked before school. Even if they think they can see, they still need their eyes checked. Vision greatly effects learning--it is more than just being able to read a chart."
As important as it is for children to have their eyes checked, seniors also need to stay focused on their eye health.
"Seniors tend to have more vision changes in shorter periods of time," says Dr. Adamack, "and frequent eye exams can help in the early diagnosis of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. In addition, regular checkups may help diagnose other systemic conditions that have ocular side effects, for example, diabetes.
"Up to 50 per cent of diabetics don't know they have the disease," he says. "Sometimes symptoms can be seen in the eyes and we can encourage them to see their family doctor."
Both optometrists work in conjunction with family doctors making referrals as needed. "The eyes are the only part of the body where the blood vessels can be seen directly," says Dr. Adamack, "and we can pick up on a lot of conditions this way."
Therefore, patients who need eye surgery will work with Dr. Adamack and Dr. White and an ophthalmologist like Dr. Pieter Claasen, who comes to Powell River from Courtenay for surgeries.
It is important also to check for glaucoma, a silent disease. There are often no symptoms and so by the time symptoms do develop it may be too late and vision may be almost lost.
Although it is especially important for young children and seniors to have their eyes checked, annual checkups are important throughout all stages of life. Eye problems can occur at any age, but they aren't always obvious. Squinting, frequent headaches, tired eyes or trouble with close-up tasks may signal vision problems. If left untreated, vision problems may worsen.
Optometrists can diagnose and manage vision problems such as refractive error, eye injuries, the removal of foreign bodies, glaucoma and many other conditions.
Both doctors stress the importance of protecting eyes. Sunglasses are important for everyone to protect against UV (ultraviolet) damage, even for children. Parents should also encourage eye safety when children are playing with toys.
"One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is to teach them how to protect and care for their eyes," says Dr. Adamack. "What better gift to give than the gift of clear comfortable vision?"
Dr. Gary White, his wife Sara, and son Noah, joined Dr. Adamack's practice three months ago. Dr. Adamack and Dr. White encourage families to actively care for their eyes.
Originally from Montana, Dr. White graduated from Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon in 1991 to practice optometry at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. In 1994, Dr. White returned to Great Falls, Montana, where he owned and operated an optometry office for four years before moving back to San Antonio in 1998. He owned his optometry office in San Antonio from 1998 until moving to Powell River in September.
Dr. White has specialized in children's vision utilizing vision therapy. He is also fellowship-certified for orthokeratology, a non-surgical process to correct vision and eliminate or reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses during the daytime. Orthokeratology is an excellent alternative to Lasik surgery, and is especially beneficial for children because not only does it correct vision, it also slows down or stops the progression of nearsightedness.
Both Dr. Adamack and Dr. White value family and want to make sure that Powell River's families are well taken care of. They both have first-hand knowledge of the importance of ensuring proper eye care for young ones.
"Children's eyes need to be checked at an early age, at least by the age of three, and annually thereafter," says Dr. Adamack. "BC Medical [Services Plan] covers the cost of children's eye exams. It is important to get a child's eyes checked before school. Even if they think they can see, they still need their eyes checked. Vision greatly effects learning--it is more than just being able to read a chart."
As important as it is for children to have their eyes checked, seniors also need to stay focused on their eye health.
"Seniors tend to have more vision changes in shorter periods of time," says Dr. Adamack, "and frequent eye exams can help in the early diagnosis of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. In addition, regular checkups may help diagnose other systemic conditions that have ocular side effects, for example, diabetes.
"Up to 50 per cent of diabetics don't know they have the disease," he says. "Sometimes symptoms can be seen in the eyes and we can encourage them to see their family doctor."
Both optometrists work in conjunction with family doctors making referrals as needed. "The eyes are the only part of the body where the blood vessels can be seen directly," says Dr. Adamack, "and we can pick up on a lot of conditions this way."
Therefore, patients who need eye surgery will work with Dr. Adamack and Dr. White and an ophthalmologist like Dr. Pieter Claasen, who comes to Powell River from Courtenay for surgeries.
It is important also to check for glaucoma, a silent disease. There are often no symptoms and so by the time symptoms do develop it may be too late and vision may be almost lost.
Although it is especially important for young children and seniors to have their eyes checked, annual checkups are important throughout all stages of life. Eye problems can occur at any age, but they aren't always obvious. Squinting, frequent headaches, tired eyes or trouble with close-up tasks may signal vision problems. If left untreated, vision problems may worsen.
Optometrists can diagnose and manage vision problems such as refractive error, eye injuries, the removal of foreign bodies, glaucoma and many other conditions.
Both doctors stress the importance of protecting eyes. Sunglasses are important for everyone to protect against UV (ultraviolet) damage, even for children. Parents should also encourage eye safety when children are playing with toys.
"One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is to teach them how to protect and care for their eyes," says Dr. Adamack. "What better gift to give than the gift of clear comfortable vision?"
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