Dr. Daxx Dunn's Family Vision Care

Comprehensive Vision & Eye Health Exams

Being able to read an eye chart from 20 feet away is one thing, but total eye health and vision wellness is quite another. Here at Family Vision Care, we want our patients to have the utmost in thorough, professional vision care. Using state-of-the-art equipment and the latest in diagnostic techniques, your comprehensive exam with Dr. Dunn involves a battery of tests to evaluate not only the function and visual acuity but also the health of your eyes.

We are proud to offer the Optomap Retinal Exam during your comprehensive eye exam. Optomap’s advanced technology produces a panoramic retinal image that provides the most comprehensive view of the retina while in most cases eliminating the need for dilation. Optomap can detect early signs of numerous diseases that affect not only your eyes, but also your overall health.

Please be sure to bring a list of all medications you are currently taking and any allergies you may have. If you currently wear glasses, please bring them with you so that we can check the prescription to see if there has been a change. Likewise, if you wear contact lenses, bring the boxes with you if you have them so that we can see what you have been wearing.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to allow for completing new patient paperwork, or if you prefer, you may download our new patient forms prior to your visit by clicking here and downloading the appropriate form under New Patient Forms – just simply print and bring your completed forms with you to your appointment.

Treatment & Management of Eye Diseases / Cataract Surgery Consultation

Many systemic health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes can have a profoundly negative effect on one’s vision. If not detected and managed carefully, permanent vision loss can result. Likewise, ocular diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration require proper diagnosis and careful monitoring for progression and changes in vision.

Dr. Dunn provides treatment & management for eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, allergies, dry eye syndrome, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. We are proud to have the latest technology in glaucoma testing here at Family Vision Care…computerized visual fields that take only 3 minutes per eye in addition to offering the Optomap digital retinal imaging system.

Treatment of Eye Injuries / 24-Hour Emergency Eyecare

Dr. Dunn is available 24 hours a day for emergency eye problems. Call our office number (615) 771-2550 to be put in contact with him after regular business hours and weekends. If you are experiencing any of the following problems, contact us immediately:

* Redness
* Light Sensitivity
* Pain
* Decreased Vision
* Excessive Tearing or Discharge From the Eye
* Seeing Flashes of Light or Colors

Contact Lens Services

Not all contact lenses are the same! Your eyes are unique and require the right kind of lens and proper care to ensure healthy vision and long-term successful wear for many years to come. Modern advancements in contact lenses have made successful wearers out of many people who thought they would never be able to wear contacts.

Your contact lens exam with Dr. Dunn will involve everything in the comprehensive vision exam plus your contact lens evaluation and fitting in order to determine which lens is best for your individual needs. Also included are your trial lenses, training sessions for proper handling and care of your lenses, lens cases and solutions to get you started, and any follow-up visits for lens checks. We can also take care of your contact lens supply and have them delivered to you for your convenience. Dr. Dunn prescribes all major brands of soft and rigid contact lenses, including contacts for dry eyes, astigmatism (toric lenses), multi-focal contact lenses for those over 40, extended wear, daily disposable lenses, colored lenses, gas permeable contact lenses, and specialty, custom fit lenses. Whatever your needs are or how difficult the fit, Dr. Dunn can help you achieve maximum comfort and clarity of vision.

Laser Vision/LASIK Surgery Consultation

Have you thought about LASIK surgery as an alternative to wearing your glasses or contacts? Although many patients are excellent candidates for LASIK, it is a decision that should be carefully considered and not taken lightly. Your eyes and vision are precious, and LASIK is something you should never “bargain hunt” for on price.

Dr. Dunn co-manages with the most reputable LASIK surgeons in the Nashville area providing comprehensive pre-operative examinations to determine if you are indeed a good candidate for surgery. Once Dr. Dunn has completed your LASIK evaluation, discussed all pros and cons with you, and your final decision for surgery has been made, we will then set up your surgery consult with the surgeon of your choice. Dr. Dunn can also administer all post-operative visits following your surgery. Contact us today to learn more about LASIK as an option or to schedule your evaluation.

Optical Dispensary

Our optical dispensary has over 600 quality, designer frames in the latest trends and styles to choose from – Nike, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Banana Republic, Valentino, Kenneth Cole, Nine West, Jai Kudo…just to name a few. You‚Äôll find something for every taste and budget for patients of all ages…from designer to classic, trendy to traditional. We will be happy to help you pick your best look.

With our large selection of children’s frames, kids of all ages are also sure to find the perfect look – from infants who need cable temple frames to teens looking for cool and trendy styles. All of our kids’ frames are durable and come with a full warranty. We also have a children’s frame and lens package available that is extremely economical and comes with a loss-replacement warranty, which is a great second-pair option for those little ones who so frequently lose their glasses.

We offer the latest technology in lenses available and use only the highest quality optical products. The thinnest & lightest-weight lenses, scratch resistant, anti-reflective, shatter-resistant, progressive lenses / no-line bifocals, Transitions light-sensitive lenses..whatever your needs are, we can assist you.

We also have a great variety of optical quality, designer sunwear to choose from to ensure that you protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. Many of our sunglasses come with polarized lenses, which significantly cut sun glare from surfaces such as water. We can also assist you with your sports vision needs, from sports goggles and protective eyewear for children and adults, to glasses and contact lenses to enhance your performance.

All of our frames and lenses come with a full warranty. Ask us for details.

Pediatric Eye Exams

Dr. Dunn's special interest lies with pediatric vision care, and he is dedicated to addressing the importance of children’s vision needs. The American Optometric Association recommends children receive their first eye exam by 1 year of age, the next at 3 years old, and then prior to beginning kindergarten. It is also recommended that school-age children have a yearly comprehensive vision exam. While vision screeners performed at school and the pediatrician's office are certainly a helpful part of eye care, they are not a replacement for a comprehensive pediatric vision exam. Children do not necessarily know that they are having vision problems. Parents and teachers need to be aware of the warning signs that a child may be experiencing a vision problem. If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, call us today to schedule a comprehensive pediatric vision exam:

Dr. Dunn tailors the eye exam process for your child's individual needs and also looks for indicators of visual impairments that may be hindering your child's ability to learn and process information properly. Because doctor's visits can be traumatic for little ones, we strive to make your child's experience with us a fun one. Dr. Dunn uses kid-friendly techniques, games, and toys throughout the eye exam process to make their time with us a little less scary. He has been voted by Williamson county parents as their #1 choice for eyecare for 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, & 2003.

Vision Therapy / Vision-Related Learning Disorders

Did you know that your child could see 20/20 but still have poor vision? Just because your child can see clearly 20 feet away does not mean he/she can visually process information 14 inches away. Many kids are diagnosed as problem learners, attention-deficit, or hyperactive, when actually the culprit is vision-related. Undetected, underlying vision disorders can cause difficulty for children with reading, learning, sports, and attention span.

Dr. Dunn administers developmental vision exams in order to evaluate and determine specific visual barriers your child may be experiencing and can prescribe a specific vision therapy program based on their individual needs and progress. For more information on vision therapy, success stories, and how it can help your child, please click on our Vision Therapy link above and visit www.drdaxxdunnvt.com. If your child is experiencing any difficulties with school or reading, call our office today to schedule a comprehensive developmental vision evaluation.

Children’s Eyewear

Our optical dispensary has a large selection of durable and stylish frames for children of all ages and includes names such as Flexon, EasyTwist, Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Nike, Nine West, Disney, and Fisher Price. Kids and parents with the most discriminating taste are sure to find the perfect look, from infants who need cable temple frames, to teens looking for cool and trendy styles. All of our kids’ frames are durable and come with a full warranty.

All children 18 years of age and under are fitted with polycarbonate lenses, which are shatter-resistant, scratch-coated, lightweight, and have built-in UV protection. Stop by our dispensary to check out our wide selection and learn more about additional lens options for kids, such as anti-reflective coatings and Transitions lenses, to make them look and feel their absolute best.

We also have a children's frame and lens package available that is extremely economical and comes with a loss-replacement warranty, which is a great second-pair option for those little ones who so frequently lose their glasses.

Is your child involved in sports? Protect their eyes and vision with sports goggles, even if your child doesn’t need to wear glasses. We can help with their sports vision needs, from protective eyewear for sports such as basketball and baseball to swim goggles, for kids of all ages. Our sports goggles are available with and without prescription.

Pediatric Contact Lens Fittings

Contact lenses can be a great option for kids, especially if they are involved in sports activities. However, contacts for children is a decision that has to be weighed very carefully by parents together with the doctor. Maturity level of the child, motivation and desire to wear contacts, and responsibility to take proper care of their lenses on their own are major factors when deciding if your child should graduate to contact lenses. Children as young as 7 years old successfully wear contacts, whereas some teenagers are just not ready yet.

Dr. Dunn administers contact lens fittings for children of all ages. Your child's contact lens exam will involve everything in the comprehensive pediatric vision exam plus a contact lens evaluation and fitting in order to determine which lens is best for your child's individual needs. Also included are their trial lenses, training sessions for proper handling and care of their lenses, lens cases and solutions to get them started, and any follow-up visits for lens checks. We can also take care of their contact lens supply and have them delivered to you for your convenience.

InfantSEE™

The first year of life is one of the most critical stages of human development. Children are born ready to learn. In fact, using their eyes is one of the most important things infants do. Visual impairment can have a profound negative effect on a child's development. Early assessment of eye and vision health can provide for early diagnosis and treatment of certain eye and vision conditions that can act as barriers to normal child development.

Dr. Dunn proudly volunteers for InfantSEE™, a program which offers vision evaluations at no charge to infants between 6 and 12 months of age. He strongly encourages all parents with babies under a year old to take advantage of this free assessment. For more information about this important service, visit www.infantsee.com, or give us a call with any questions and to schedule an appointment your infant.

Did you know that your child could see 20/20

yet still have poor vision?

Just because your child can see clearly 20 feet away does not mean he/she can visually process information 14 inches away. Many kids are diagnosed as problem learners, attention-deficit, or hyperactive, when actually the culprit is vision-related.
Undetected, underlying vision disorders can cause difficulty for children with reading, learning, sports, and attention span.

HOW EASILY CAN YOU READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE?

Do you find that reading this is difficult? Frustrating? Did you want to quit? Statistics show that four children in every classroom in every city in America may see printed words this way. These children can’t control their eye movements at reading distance, and as a result they see blurred or double print. Is it any surprise that these children are not doing well in school?

For children who struggle to read or find it difficult to remain on task, the cause may be an undetected vision problem, even if their eyesight is 20/20 and they’ve passed the school’s vision screening. In fact, many of these children are often suspected of having learning disabilities, dyslexia, or attention deficits when the real culprit is their vision. Each year, thousands of children suffer needlessly and struggle unnecessarily from undetected vision problems that can make school and life difficult. In addition, children with crossed eyes and lazy eyes face especially demanding challenges. Children with poor visual skills may struggle to read, have short attention spans, perform poorly in sports, develop low self-esteem, and have doors closed to many career opportunities as adults because of poor visual skills.

WHAT IS VISION THERAPY?

Vision therapy is a highly effective, non-surgical treatment for many common visual problems such as lazy eye, crossed eyes, double vision, convergence insufficiency, tracking problems, and some reading and learning disabilities. A successful vision therapy program can change how a patient processes or interprets visual information and can also help a patient develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A VISION THERAPY PROGRAM?

The first step in any vision therapy program is a comprehensive pediatric eye exam. Following a thorough evaluation, the patient is then advised as to whether a developmental vision exam should be administered in order to determine if vision therapy would be appropriate treatment. The developmental vision exam is an extensive battery of tests which assess a broad range of visual skills other than acuity or refractive status. These skills include oculo-motor function, visual/perceptual skills, visuo-motor skills, focusing ability, binocular status, etc. Once testing is completed to evaluate and determine specific visual barriers the patient may be experiencing, the doctor can then prescribe a specific vision therapy program based on their individual needs and deficiencies.

Vision therapy is a progressive program of vision “exercises” or procedures performed under doctor supervision and has been individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient. Therapy sessions are conducted in-office, typically once a week for one hour with a vision therapist. In-office therapy sessions are supplemented with procedures done at home between office visits (“homework”) and computer software. Progress is monitored by the doctor and vision therapist at in-office therapy sessions, and the patient's individualized treatment program is adjusted based on improvements made and any continuing deficiencies which require further development.

HOW DO I KNOW IF VISION THERAPY CAN HELP MY CHILD?

Good vision is more than “20/20.” There are numerous other important visual skills that children need to in order to be successful in school, such as:

Acuity: The ability to clearly and comfortably see both near and far as in reading a book or the chalkboard.
Sustained Focus: The ability to maintain a steady focus for a long time at a close distance, as in reading or writing.
Eye Tracking: The ability to move eyes smoothly and accurately, such as moving from word-to-word or following a thrown ball.
Eye-Teaming: The ability of the eyes to work together to see one image as in following a line of reading without fatigue, double vision, or headaches.
Eye-Hand Coordination: The ability to move the hand to what the eyes see, such as handwriting or playing a musical instrument.
Visual Perception: The process that allows us to understand what we see such as the shape, size, color, or directions of an object, letter, or word.

In other words, an eye chart can’t determine how well a child can team or coordinate their eyes at the close distances required for reading, or how well they can track a line of print without losing their place; nor how well they can adapt to focus changes from near to far distances, or how well they can understand and make sense of what they see. Children can have good visual acuity (20/20) and still have serious problems in these other areas. Below are signs for parents to look for:

Dr. Dunn administers developmental vision exams and can determine if a specific vision therapy program can help your child. If your otherwise bright child exhibits one or more of the symptoms listed above, is struggling in school or sports, or experiencing difficulty with reading and/or comprehension, a comprehensive pediatric vision exam is the first step to determine if further developmental vision testing and vision therapy is the next step. Call our office today to schedule an appointment and find out if vision therapy can help your child.

GOOD VISION IS MORE THAN JUST 20/20

VISION THERAPY LINKS OF INTEREST TO PARENTS

For more information about vision therapy, check out the following links:

• www.drdaxxdunnvt.com Dr. Dunn's vision therapy related website; in-depth information on vision problems and vision therapy
• www.covd.org The home page for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development
• www.oepf.org The home page for the Optometric Extension Program Foundation; vision therapy educational information for parents and teachers
• www.optometrists.org Excellent site about vision and vision therapy and success stories
• www.childrensvision.com A great site about visual conditions, vision therapy, and success stories
• www.children-special-needs.org A very informative site about children's vision disorders and vision therapy
• www.pavevision.org Parents Active for Vision Education (PAVE), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to informing the public, parents, and teachers about children’s vision problems
• www.vision3D.com A great interactive site with information on binocular vision and vision therapy
• www.visiontherapy.com Lots of good information on vision therapy and success stories