FAQS

Yes! Dilation is completed for multiple reasons during an eye exam. For most children, dilation is required to determine refractive error. In young children, they often can’t answer the question: “Which is better, one or two?” Dilation can allow Dr. Morrison to check very accurately for glasses without having to ask your child this question. In all children, the lens inside the eye can focus up to 15 diopters. Dilation prevents the child from focusing. If not dilated, your child’s refraction could be up to 15 diopters off. This could result in continued amblyopia or even unnecessary surgery. Second, dilation may be necessary to fully evaluate the optic nerve and retina. If there is any suspicion for optic nerve problems, high pressure around the brain, or retinal defects, dilation is the best way to fully exam and manage these problems.

Dr Morrison will dilate your child around once a year.  This is the preferred practice guideline for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.

Dilation makes the pupil of the eye larger so that the inside of the eye can be viewed by your doctor. It also relaxes the focusing mechanism of the lens so that an accurate refraction can be completed. When a child is dilated, they may be more sensitive to light and have blurry vision (especially up close, for 4-6 hours. If your child is dilated on a school day, and excuse can be provided so that they are excused from class for that day.

Your time is important to me! As your physician, I don’t believe that my time is more important than yours. New patient appointments and yearly follow-up appointments with dilation will generally take less than 1 hour. Return patient appointments are generally completed in less than 30 minutes.

Dr. Morrison has privileges at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. I do surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Pediatric Outpatient Surgery Center in Odessa. I am in surgery every Tuesday. I do share patients frequently with the physicians at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, but I do not do surgery there on a scheduled basis.

Yes! Dr. Morrison uses IntelleChart Pro by Nextech. A patient portal is available through Nextech so that you can view your records.

Dr. Morrison is a provider for most private insurances, Medicare and Medicaid plans. Insurances do cover medical specialty eye exams for children. However, after a certain age, many plans will not cover a routine exam if the diagnosis is not medical in nature. For instance, if you want your child to be seen for a check-up, but they do not have a medical diagnosis or problem, many plans will not cover this service with an expert such as Dr. Morrison. Medical diagnoses are listed in our services, but many other diagnoses are covered but not listed. We CAN still see you, but additional payment beyond your copay may be necessary.

A refraction is the determination of the need for eyeglasses. This is an essential part of an eye exam to diagnose problems like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or failed vision screening in childhood. Unfortunately, most medical insurance companies do not cover refraction. If your insurance does not cover this fee, you will need to pay for this service at the time of your exam.