General Ophthalmology

Central Florida Ophthalmology provides a home base for all of your visual health needs, including medical eye exams, preventive screenings, and eye surgical evaluations. At Central Florida Ophthalmology in Oviedo, Florida, ophthalmologist and cataract and corneal surgeon Dr. Jeffrey R. Golen, MD, offers general ophthalmology services to people of all ages, including specialist referrals. Call Central Florida Ophthalmology today to request a general ophthalmology appointment or book online.

What is ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is a medical specialty that diagnoses and treats diseases and disorders that affect the eyes. 

Ophthalmologists, like Dr. Golen, undergo four years of traditional medical school followed by four years of postgraduate training, which includes an intern year, as well as an intensive three-year residency in eye disease and surgery. Some ophthalmologists like Dr. Golen obtain additional training after residency, called a fellowship. 

Dr. Golen diagnoses and treats most acute and chronic eye problems, but if necessary, he will refer you to a physician with a different spectrum of specialty or subspecialty skills.

What should I bring to my ophthalmology appointment?

To get the most out of your ophthalmology appointment with Dr. Golen, make sure to bring the following:

• Your eyeglasses or contacts
• Your health insurance information
• A list of questions you have about your eye health
• A list of the medications and supplements you take
• A list of the health conditions and allergies you have

Arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment so you can fill out the new patient paperwork.

What does ophthalmology involve?

Dr. Golen tailors ophthalmology services to each person’s needs, but most exams include the following:

Patient history

Dr. Golen asks about your general health and lifestyle, including if you smoke or drink alcohol. He also asks about your family history of eye diseases, like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Vision tests

Dr. Golen assesses your vision up close and at a distance. He has you read off charts with numbers and letters of different sizes. Dr. Golen may check your depth perception and peripheral vision, or even test for color blindness.

Tonometry

This test measures your intraocular (eye) pressure. Higher-than-average readings indicate a risk of glaucoma –– a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve at the back of your eye. 

Eye exam

Dr. Golen examines the front of your eyes, including the eyelids, pupils, conjunctiva, cornea, iris, and lens (cataract) with a special microscope called a slit lamp. 

He uses eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupils so he can see your optic nerve, retina, and the other structures at the back of your eye. The drops make you sensitive to light, so you may need to wear sunglasses after your appointment.

Other tests

If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other health problems that increase your risk of vision loss, Dr. Golen may order additional tests. He can develop a personalized treatment plan if he finds anything unusual.

At the end of your visit, Dr. Golen makes time to answer your questions and address any concerns.

Call the practice of Dr. Jeffrey Golen today to request a general ophthalmology appointment or book online.