How often should I have an eye exam?

For most healthy adults, we recommend a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. Patients with existing eye conditions such as glaucoma or diabetic eye disease, or those with risk factors such as a family history of eye disease, should typically be seen annually. Children should have their first eye exam at around 12 months, again at age 3, and then every year once they start school.

What should I bring to my eye appointment?

Please bring your current glasses or contact lenses, a list of any medications you are currently taking, your vision and medical insurance cards, a valid photo ID, and any prior eye health records or prescriptions if available. If you are a new patient, visit our new patients page for a full checklist of what to expect.

Does Ideal Family Eye Care accept new patients?

Yes! Ideal Family Eye Care warmly welcomes new patients of all ages. We are a full-service family eye care practice serving the Jefferson Park neighborhood and the greater Chicago area. To schedule your first appointment, call us at (773) 774-2200 or book online through our website.

What insurance plans does Ideal Family Eye Care accept?

We accept a wide variety of vision and medical insurance plans. Please visit our payment options page for detailed information on accepted plans, or call our office at (773) 774-2200 and our staff will be happy to help verify your coverage before your appointment.

Do you offer eye care for children?

Absolutely. Ideal Family Eye Care specializes in pediatric eye care for patients from infancy through the teenage years. Regular children’s eye exams are critical for detecting conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus, and myopia early — before they affect your child’s learning and development. We also offer FDA-approved myopia control treatments including Ortho-K lenses to slow nearsightedness progression in children.

How do I know if my child has a vision problem?

Common warning signs that your child may have a vision problem include squinting to see the board at school, sitting very close to the TV, frequent headaches, rubbing their eyes often, avoiding reading or close-up tasks, tilting their head to one side, or one eye appearing to turn inward or outward. A pediatric eye exam at Ideal Family Eye Care is the best and most reliable way to detect vision problems in children.

What is the difference between a vision screening and a comprehensive eye exam?

A vision screening — such as the chart test performed at a school or pediatrician’s office — only checks basic visual acuity (how clearly you can see). A comprehensive eye exam at Ideal Family Eye Care goes far beyond that, evaluating the full health of your eyes, testing for eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, assessing how your eyes work together as a team, and determining the most accurate prescription for glasses or contacts. A vision screening is not a substitute for a professional eye exam.

Can an eye exam detect health conditions other than eye problems?

Yes — and this is one of the most important reasons to have regular eye exams. During a comprehensive eye exam, our providers can detect early signs of systemic health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, and certain neurological conditions by examining the blood vessels and tissues inside the eye. In many cases, these signs are visible in the eye before any other symptoms appear elsewhere in the body.

Do you offer emergency eye care appointments?

Yes. Ideal Family Eye Care provides prompt emergency eye care for urgent situations including sudden vision changes, eye injuries, eye infections, foreign body removal, corneal scratches, and potential retinal emergencies. If you are experiencing an eye emergency, call us immediately at (773) 774-2200. For severe trauma, chemical burns, or sudden vision loss, please go directly to the nearest emergency room.

What are the signs that I need to see an eye doctor right away?

Seek immediate eye care at Ideal Family Eye Care or the nearest emergency room if you experience any of the following: sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, a significant increase in floaters or flashes of light, a shadow or curtain spreading across your vision, severe eye pain, eye injury or chemical exposure, or sudden double vision. These symptoms can indicate serious conditions like retinal detachment or acute glaucoma that require immediate treatment.

What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

An optometrist (OD) is a doctor of optometry who provides comprehensive eye exams, prescribes corrective lenses, and diagnoses and manages a wide range of eye conditions and diseases. An ophthalmologist (MD) is a medical doctor who specializes in eye surgery. At Ideal Family Eye Care, our optometrists provide full-scope eye care and work closely with ophthalmologists when surgical intervention is needed, providing all pre- and post-operative care right in our office.

Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism or dry eyes?

Yes to both. Toric contact lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism and are available in a wide range of prescriptions. For patients with dry eyes, there are contact lens materials and wearing schedules that are much better tolerated — our providers at Ideal Family Eye Care will recommend the most comfortable and appropriate option for your eyes. In some cases, treating the underlying dry eye condition first with treatments like BlephEx significantly improves contact lens comfort.

What is LASIK and is it right for me?

LASIK is a laser eye surgery that permanently reshapes the cornea to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contacts. Not everyone is a candidate — factors such as corneal thickness, prescription stability, and overall eye health determine eligibility. Ideal Family Eye Care offers comprehensive LASIK consultations to evaluate your candidacy and answer all your questions. Visit our LASIK FAQs page for more detailed information.

What causes dry eyes and how are they treated?

Dry eye syndrome has many causes including aging, extended screen use, contact lens wear, blepharitis, Demodex mite infestations, medications, hormonal changes, and environmental factors. Treatment at Ideal Family Eye Care is individualized and may include prescription eye drops, punctal plugs, BlephEx in-office eyelid cleaning, omega-3 supplementation, or anti-inflammatory medications. Over-the-counter artificial tears can provide temporary relief but do not address the underlying cause — a professional evaluation is recommended for persistent symptoms.

How do I protect my eyes from digital screens and blue light?

To reduce digital eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Adjust screen brightness, increase text size, use proper lighting, and take regular breaks. Blue light-blocking lenses available at Ideal Family Eye Care can also help filter the high-energy visible light emitted by digital screens. Learn more on our eye protection from electronics page.

What designer eyeglass brands does Ideal Family Eye Care carry?

Ideal Family Eye Care carries a premium collection of unique designer frames including Prada®, Gucci®, Giorgio Armani®, Lightec®, Silhouette®, and many more. We pair our designer frames with the latest lens technologies — including digital lenses, progressive lenses, anti-reflective coatings, and blue light-blocking options — to ensure you get the sharpest vision and best look possible. We also offer on-site glasses repairs and a selection of prescription sunglasses.

Where is Ideal Family Eye Care located and what are your office hours?

Ideal Family Eye Care is conveniently located at 5526 N Milwaukee Ave, Suite B, in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Chicago, IL 60630. Our office hours are: Monday 11am–7pm (every other week), Tuesday 11am–8pm, Wednesday 9am–5pm, Thursday 9am–5pm, Friday 7am–3pm, and Saturday 9am–2pm (every other week). Sunday we are closed. Call us at (773) 774-2200 to confirm hours or schedule your appointment.

How do I schedule an appointment at Ideal Family Eye Care?

Scheduling at Ideal Family Eye Care is easy. You can call us directly at (773) 774-2200 during office hours or use our online appointment request form available on our website. We welcome new and returning patients and will do our best to accommodate your schedule. For eye emergencies, please call us as soon as possible so we can prioritize your care.