Kind of a stupid question but…

Submitted by theboyfromphl t3_xuo02d in rva

Does anybody know any good optometrists in the area that DON’T do that stupid eye puff test? Cannot ever experience that childhood trauma again but need to find a good optometrist in the Richmond area.

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jeb_hoge t1_iqwgov7 wrote

I guess you can just hope you don't have glaucoma.

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STORMPUNCH t1_iqwh2ei wrote

I see an optometrist with VCU Health at Stony Point. Their glaucoma test uses light instead of the air puff. Alternatively you can always just request to not have the test done.

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vabloom t1_iqwhhxk wrote

My husband has glaucoma and goes to Commonwealth Eye. He's never had that puff test there.

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LordLandis t1_iqwjazq wrote

RVA Eyecare in Short Pump uses lasers to test.

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Lilykaschell t1_iqwjv1i wrote

Family Vision Care (Innsbrook area) uses light of some kind. Plus numbing drops beforehand. Eyeball stuff is freaky, but I’ve never had an issue with their protocol.

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lunar_unit t1_iqwywe1 wrote

Maybe just say...no to the test? They can't force you to do it. Just specify in advance that you don't want that in your appointment.

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cantaloupe-490 t1_iqxat5l wrote

When I went to VEI they did the puff test, but they explicitly asked for consent first and they did it really quickly, so it wasn't anywhere near the ordeal that it was at my first optometrist.

If you end up declining and not going with one of the places that does it with light, just make sure you understand the risks of not getting it done. Glaucoma's scary shit.

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SwanOverSunshine t1_iqxeqzf wrote

I’m terrified of the puff test, but I haven’t heard of any eye doctors doing it anymore, so I’m surprised so many here are saying it’s still done. You can absolutely call and ask if they do the puff test when you make your appointment, that’s what I do. Maybe I have something in my chart that says “deathly afraid of puff test” and that’s why they don’t do it on me 😂

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rdt69420 t1_iqxfj85 wrote

If you don’t have a family history of glaucoma and you’re young then you’re probably okay, but as you get older even if you don’t have a history of glaucoma I’d suck it up and get the puff.

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allowatt t1_iqxh2lx wrote

Replying to cutejnny (#22,687)

Their eye test is not like the standard one used to be with the big eye puff. They use a newer one that’s super light. But yeah like others said - you could just say no… Grove Eye Care is awesome either way

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GB3754 t1_iqxsr6m wrote

I hate that test. I went in once to be seen for severe dry eye and they insisted on doing that, and all it did was irritate my eyes that much more. "Keep your eye open," yeah, ok. I don't know about you all, but knowing what's coming makes it hard to keep your eye open. Lol.

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tt2ps t1_iqy77ux wrote

The "air puff" test is a non-contact tonometry test and is mostly used as a screening device for glaucoma. There are also contact versions such as a Tono-Pen (hand held device that sort of looks like a pen-it's good for swollen lids like post-surgery) and applanation tonometry with an instrument that swings down from the slit-lamp (you have to have yellow anesthetic drops first, chin in the chin rest/forehead against the band, and then a blue light will appear to come close-it's actually touching the surface of the cornea).

I worked in retinal ophthalmology clinics for twenty years and I had loads of new ophthalmic techs practice on me with all the versions and I'd prefer be applanated with the slit-lamp mounted type. Glaucoma diagnosis and treatment will be based on the slit-lamp kind of applanation tonometry.

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coldblackmaple t1_iqy90bn wrote

Replying to tt2ps (#24,702)

That’s what I was going to say but in much less technical terms. I have an eye disease and in the past four years I’ve probably been to the ophthalmologist 50 times. I’ve had all the different kinds of pressure test. I prefer the air puff because I don’t like getting the numbing drops but to each their own. :-) But I have been told by the techs that the one that touches your eye is the most accurate.

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rvarjg t1_iqzys48 wrote

I hope this blows over, but I can’t see it working out for OP.

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Cuda14 t1_ir05p7t wrote

Does anyone know of a practice that still dilutes vs. paying out of pocket for a test which replaces diluting? I don’t want to pay my copay + $90. VEi and Cheaterfield Optometry both do it and won’t accommodate so I’m not returning…

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jazli t1_ir31gfc wrote

Took my mom to Richmond Eye Associates yesterday and they used the newer test, not the puff of air. Would recommend. They got her in quickly, the front desk was very nice, optometrist was very thorough and explained things well, and as it turns out mom has cataracts so they're referring her to one of their ophthalmologists in house for surgery evaluation.

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