Today (06/12/2023) I had my yearly eye checkup at Eye Associates in Sun City Center. I'm 77 and have the problems related to age such as reduced visual acuity, growing cataracts, occasional dry eyes, and other problems that may pop up.Maria, the tech, was excellent. she did the bulk of the work using the latest technology in preparing the raw data for Dr. Vandenberg to analyze and prescribe from. She asked numerous questions and after she finished, she summarized all I had said into an exact description of the current state of my eyes as I perceive them. She answered all of my questions for which she was qualified leaving those ones more appropriate for the doctor to answer.Emily, Dr.Vandenberg's assistant, entered the doctor's analysis into their computer system. After the doctor had finished, she carefully explained some of the logistics of cataract surgery and greatly eased my mind about the future procedure.Finally, Dr. Vandenberg diagnosed how I was progressing and gave precise instructions on how to do self-care. I have a lot of faith in him.A good thing about using the same medical facility through the years is that they can chart your progress (or regression) over time.I highly recommend this place and these people especially if you are older.___________________________________________________Last year's review:My biggest problem with my eyes was uncontrollable itching. Almost every day I had to rub my eyes hard at night until I went to bed. Hot compresses and showers provided temporary relief, but OTC drops did not seem to help - even those new ones advertised on TV specifically designed to stop the itching. At Eye Associates, Dr. Vandenberg did a complete exam and along with his prognosis on my aging eye health (I'm 76), he recommended serum tears made from my blood to be used four times a day. They worked! The itching was reduced little-by-little over a few months until they finally stopped any itching at all. He initially prescribed a steroid eye drop that helped in the beginning but could only be used for short durations while the serum tears can be used indefinitely. These tears and the blood taking needed to produce them are not covered by my Medicare Advantage Plan and cost a few hundred dollars a year out-of-pocket, but they are worth much more to me.
