The Focal Pointe... Tallahassee's premier provider of eyewear and Optometric services since 1976. The Focal Pointe's mission is to provide the finest in full service eye care.

Irritated, excessively tearing and dry eyes are among the most common complaints encountered by eye specialists. The irritating symptoms, including those known as “dry eye syndrome,” can be a constant source of discomfort and greatly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, Drs. Allan O. Dean and Richard D. Hamilton diagnose dry eye by measuring the quantity and quality of your tears. They use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to look for damaged cells and dry spots on the surface of your cornea. The position and function of your eyelids will also be examined to make sure there are no problems with tear distribution. Most patients with dry eye can find welcome relief with artificial tears, punctual plugs or surgery. They will prescribe based on your individual needs.

Diabetic vision care.

Of the 29 million American with diabetes, nearly 10 million are unaware they have the disease until major complications such as diabetic retinopathy develop. At The Focal Pointe, the doctors check for sight-threatening problems such as diabetic retinopathy. They explain everything thoroughly and ensure that all your questions are answered fully. Their friendly, professional staff makes you feel at home for all your diabetic eyecare needs. Drs. Dean and Hamilton provide ongoing eyecare management for diabetics and refer them to a qualified ophthalmologist when necessary.

Sometimes, fluid buildup in the eye may cause vision loss from excess eye pressure (glaucoma). The Focal Pointe offers state-of-the-art diagnostics, such as visual field analysis and treatment options ranging from eyedrops to advanced in-office procedures. In fact, Dr. Hamilton is a glaucoma specialist who’s managed more than 2,500 glaucoma patients.

The aging process is directly related to cataracts. Over half of all people aged 65 or older have some degree of cataract development. Simply put, a cataract is a clouding of a transparent part of the eye called the crystalline lens. The most common symptoms of cataracts are cloudy or blurry vision, colors appearing faded, increased glare from lamps or headlights or frequent changes to one’s eyeglasses prescription. It’s important to have these symptoms checked by an eyecare professional, like Drs. Dean and Hamilton, as they can also be a sign of other eye disorders.

To learn more about The Focal Pointe’s advanced management of eye diseases or to make an appointment, call us at (850) 385-4444

Nowadays, the most common cause of severe vision loss among people over 65 is age-related macular degeneration. For people 52 to 64 years of age, this eye disease affects one in 50. For people aged 64 to 74, the prevalence increases to one in ten, And for those between 75-85, one in three has the disease.

Macular degeneration affects the macula, the tiny central area of the retina. The macular provides central vision, which is essential for seeing fine detail, looking straight at an object, reading and driving. Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of legal blindness, one of the criteria being central vision of 20/200 or worse in the better eye with corrective eyeglasses.

People with macular degeneration are frequently aware of a problem early in the course of the disease. They may complain that their vision has become blurry or distorted or that their reading ability has decreased and words seem too crowded together. Drs. Allan O. Dean and Richard D. Hamilton can conduct a simple screening to confirm the presence of macular degeneration using their ultra-modern digital retinal camera, the first of its kind among local optometrists.

Since so little is known about the direct cause of macular degeneration, effective treatment isn’t always possible. Lasers can sometimes be used to seal damaged blood vessels in the early stages of what is called “wet-type” macular degeneration. Other therapies, including drugs, are constantly being explored for every form of macular degeneration. Although macular degeneration cannot be reversed, people with the condition can usually continue their daily activities using their peripheral vision and making the most of their remaining detail vision. Devices like high-intensity reading lamps and magnifiers help compensate for the loss of detail and make some fine work possible again.

For more information on macular degeneration or to schedule an appointment, call The Focal Pointe and schedule your appointment today at (850) 385-4444.