Top Optometrists in Fort Myers

The board certified optometrists at Elmquist Eye Group in Fort Myers are among the top eye care professionals in Florida. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and are committed to providing each patient the undivided attention they need.

E. Trevor Elmquist, DO, his partner, Kate Wagner, OD, and his associates Nina Burt, OD and Sarah Eccles-Brown, MD, provide a wide variety of eye care services, from routine eye exams for corrective lenses to bladeless laser-assisted cataract surgery and glaucoma laser surgery.

Dr. Elmquist and Dr. Brown are board certified ophthalmologists and fellows of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Wagner and Dr. Burt are board certified optometrists.

Optometrists, or Doctors of Optometry, are designated by the initials “OD” following their names. They specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of both the eye and the body and in prescribing glasses, contact lenses, and other devices to enhance your vision.  Most people receive their primary eye care from their local Doctor of Optometry.

Family Eye Examinations

Many eye and vision problems have no symptoms, so periodic eye exams are an important part of maintaining healthy vision.  Even if you have naturally good vision, you and your children still need regular eye exams.

The American Optometric Association recommends that children who have no symptoms of eye or vision problems should have eye examinations at six months of age, at age three, before first grade, and then every two years from age six through age 18.

Some children may need additional testing or more frequent exams. The risk factors include premature birth or low birth rate, family history of congenital eye disorders, high refractive errors, strabismus, or central nervous system dysfunction.

Adults from age 18 to age 60 should have routine eye exams every two years, and those 61 and older should have them every year. However, a comprehensive dilated eye exam, one where the doctor applies eye drops to widen the pupil for a closer look at the inside of the eye, should be done according to the following schedule from Prevent Blindness America:

• Age 20-39: Every 3 to 5 years (If African-American, every 2 to 4 years)
• Age 40-64: Every 2 to 4 years
• Age 65 or older: Every 1 to 2 years

Adults with special risks, such as diabetes, a previous eye trauma, surgery or a family history of glaucoma, may need more frequent eye exams.

If, at any age, you experience symptoms of eye or vision trouble, it is important to see your eye doctor immediately.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor will check for common conditions like myopia and astigmatism, as well as complex conditions, like glaucoma and macular degeneration, assess whether your eyes work effectively together as a team, and determine your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, if you need them.

The optometrist or ophthalmologist will look for vision disorders, eye muscle imbalance, and any signs of eye disease that could cause problems in the future. He or she will also dilate your eyes with drops to make the pupils bigger, for a closer look into your eyes.

Your eye doctor can help detect skin cancer and thyroid disease, and assist in the detection of malignant tumors. Because the eyes are the only place in the body where a doctor can examine bare blood vessels and arteries, cardiovascular conditions like hypertension, diabetes and atherosclerosis can be detected, as well as signs of diseases like AIDS and leukemia.

With state of the art technology, specialized equipment, and the top optometrists and ophthalmologists in Fort Myers, Elmquist Eye Group can provide you with an unsurpassed level of care. Schedule an appointment today by calling us at (239) 936-2020.