Contact Us:

3691 Webber Street
Sarasota, FL 34232
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Phone: (941) 921-2020
Fax: (941) 922-1333

Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm

Our Eye Care Services

Services Menu (click a title to jump to a topic)
Primary Eye Care	Dry Eye	Macular Degeneration
Optical	Glaucoma	Diabetic Retinopathy
Contacts	Cataracts	Flashes/Floaters
Vision Reshaping	Payments	Health Insurance Claims
Appointments	Prescriptions

Comprehensive Eye Care

At Gulf Coast Eye Center, we believe that the key to proper eye health is a comprehensive eye exam. It is important to maintain your eye health and is even more important to catch eye conditions or diseases early, to ensure proper treatment and preserve your vision. Your eyesight is important to us.

Primary Eye Care

Primary Eye Care includes a comprehensive vision and eye health examination. This examination is designed to detect a wide range of problems affecting visual function, such as blurred vision and eye discomfort. Evaluations of eye health disorders are also performed. The American Optometric Association recommends that all people should have periodic, comprehensive eye examinations every year depending on one’s particular needs.

Examinations include tests for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and the ocular effects of many general health disorders such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as effects of medications.

Optical

Our Optical Service provides high-quality frames and lenses for lifestyle, occupational, and recreational needs. Frames for all ages, infants to adults, are available.

Our services range from spectacles for general use, to specialty lenses for sports, hobbies, or occupational use.

A wide range of scratch-resistant and anti-reflective treatments, lens designs, and tints are available.

As a courtesy, eyewear adjustments and cleaning are provided without an appointment. Also, for your convenience, our on-site eyewear production lab is able to fabricate prescriptions of all materials, therefore helping us to meet your time requirements for new or repaired frames and lenses. Express services are available.

Designer Frames

designer eyewear

Contact Lenses

Contact lens technology has progressed considerably in the past few years. These changes are very exciting. More and more patients of all ages are electing to make the transition to contact lenses. Specifically the new advancements in soft and gas permeable bifocal contacts now allow patients well over the age of forty to have good distance and near vision. The excitement these patients have to be free of glasses is especially rewarding. In some cases they may have worn glasses their entire life.

The best contact lens exam always begins with finding out what each individual patient's needs and expectations are. The fitting is customized accordingly. Whether the patient is a golfer, secretary, policeman, or and active retiree their visual demands vary greatly. After the patients lifestyle and demands are understood the contact prescription is determined. Then the corneal shape is measured with our Medmont corneal topographer. The precision of this instrument is extremely helpful in the hard to fit cases. Once the lenses are chosen the new patients are instructed on how to insert, remove, and care for the lenses. This is a very important part of the success of every fit. Many patients have failed to wear contacts in the past simply because they were never given proper instructions. Once patients see a demonstration on how to insert and remove the contacts they generally get over any phobias they may have. After a few continuous days it becomes more of a routine. After the initial fitting and instructions all patients are seen for follow up to insure the best results.

We have patients of all ages wearing contacts. Young motivated children who are ready to take responsibility have great success. Many of which are active in sports that they can perform much better with contact lenses versus glasses. Many are very active seniors who do not want to wear glasses. Every good candidate who is motivated can wear contacts. Dry eye syndrome is not as much a factor as it once was due to the new lenses we have available. In addition the peripheral distortion often associated with glasses is reduced with contacts. Patients, who are active, such as tennis players, benefit greatly from this.

The recent progress in contact lenses is exciting. We are now able to correct the specific demands for each individual patient. There are now better lenses for dry eye patients, toric lenses to correct most astigmatic patients, and bifocal or multifocal contacts to correct vision for patients over forty.

Vision Shaping (Ortho-K)

Vision shaping treatment, orthokeratology, effectively treats nearsightedness and astigmatism. This is an alternative for anyone who wants to see clearly without devices or surgery. It's perfect for people with lifestyles where glasses or contact lenses may be problematic, such as:

Athletes and others with active lifestyles
People with allergies of dry eyes
Workers who sit in front of a computer all day
Those who work in a smoky environment
People (such as fire fighters) whose profession requires hassle- free visual freedom

Vision shaping treatment is safe and completely reversible.

Further, as patients reach the age of forty and over there near vision will change. The reshaping can be refined to allow patents to continue to see well up close. Since, this treatment is reversible and changeable we can adjust the correction as your needs change.

In children this treatment has been shown to halt the progression of Myopia. This is a great treatment to stabilize those patients that continue to become more and more myopic (near- sighted). In addition it gives them the freedom from glasses and contacts. Not every patient is a candidate for this treatment. Please call our office for an evaluation. Dr. Steven Bovio is one of the fee certified practitioners in the area to fit FDA approved BE retainer lens.

Further information can be obtained from www.beretainer.com.

Dry Eye Management

what is dry eye?

WHAT IS DRY EYE?

Dry Eye Syndrome is actually a collection of symptoms that make up an eye condition that stems form an imbalance in the quantity or the quality of tears. Once the severity of the dry eye syndrome is diagnosed and the correct treatment is used your ocular health will greatly improve.

HOW ARE TEARS INVOLVED?

Tears are one of the body's natural mechanisms of defense. They are produced by the lacrimal glands in the eye and secreted to coat, protect and nourish the ocular surface.

Tears carry essential vitamins and nutrients across the surface of the eye. They also act as a shield against damaging factors such as wind, heat, smog or foreign particles. Normally, every time you blink, you add another protective coating of tears over the eyes.

There are three layers of the tear film . If each is not adequately present it will cause dry eyes. The three layers are:

Outer Lipid (Oily) Layer - Reduces evaporation of the watery layer of tears.

Middle Aqueous (Watery) Layer - 98% water, cleanses the front surface of the eyes.

Inner Mucin (Mucus) Layer - Stabilizes the tear film.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DRY EYE?

Dry eye symptoms can include one or more of the following conditions:

Burning and stinging
Scratchiness, grittiness or a "foreign body" sensation
Dryness
Itching
Sensitivity to bright light (photophobia)
Mucous secretions in the eye (mattering)
Red Eyes
Foreign Body Sensation
Watery Eyes
Seasonal Allergies
Dry Throat Or Mouth
Arthritis/Joint Pain

Interestingly, continual tearing is a sign of dry eyes . This is why a lot of patients get confused. This is called reflex tearing and occurs when your body detects dry eyes. This is caused by an imbalance in the tear film going form dry to wet to dry. This inconsistency causes the many different symptoms of dry eyes to occur. Restoring a normal tear film will reduce the occurrence of reflex tearing.

WHAT CAUSES DRY EYE SYMPTOMS?

There are a number of factors that can lead to dry eye. These include:

Reduction or loss of your eyes' ability to manufacture tears
Reduction or loss of the ability to blink adequately to fully coat the eye with tears
Preservatives contained in some bottled products for use in the eye, such as eye drops or artificial tears. Frequent use of these products can aggravate dry eye conditions.
Eye infections
Wearing contact lenses
Medications

HOW DO MEDICATIONS AFFECT DRY EYE?
Some medications taken for arthritis, birth control, acne, colds, allergies or other medical conditions can cause the eyes to produce fewer tears than normal.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE DRY EYE?
We can readily determine if you have dry eyes by performing a few routine tests.

Tears
FIVE COMMON CAUSES OF DRY EYE SYNDROME

Blinking: Blinking helps lubricate the eye by spreading tears across its surface. As you blink, tears are forced inward to the nose, where they flow into the tear drainage ducts, and drain into the nose and throat. If the tear drainage system is overactive, dry eye symptoms or related congestion of the nose, throat or sinus may occur.
Aging: Tear production decreases with age. In fact, the volume of lubricating constant tears can be as much as 60% less at age 65 than at age 18. This reduction in constant tear flow and resulting eye irritation may cause occasional excessive reflex tearing.
Environment: High altitudes; sunny, dry, windy conditions; and the use of heaters, blowers and air conditioners increase tear evaporation and reduce eye lubrication.
Contact Lenses: Contact lens wear can dramatically increase tear evaporation, causing irritation, infection, protein deposits, and pain. Research shows that dry eye is the lending cause of contact lens discomfort.
Medications: Some medications decrease the body's ability to produce lubricating tears. These include decongestants, antihistamines, diuretics, heart disease and ulcer prescriptions, antidepressants, anesthetics and drugs containing Beta Blockers.

What is the treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome?

There are numerous approaches to patients afflicted with Dry Eye Syndrome: artificial tears, punctual plugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, oral doxycycline, and oral omega 3-fatty acid supplements. Deciding which approach will best serve the needs of each individual patient depends on the severity and cause of the dry eyes.

Artificial Tears -There is many different types (low, medium or high viscosity; preserved, non-preserved or transiently preserved; solution, emulsion, gel or ointment; bottled tear versus unit-dose.). Then the frequency of instillation for optimum results has to be determined.

Punctal Plugs -As the name suggests, these devices occlude (block) the punctum, or tear duct, which is the drainage duct that carries tears away form the surface of the eye. Blocking these drainage ducts prevents tears form draining away too quickly. Punctal occlusion can be compared to putting a stopper in a sink drain, keeping the tears on the eye's surface for longer periods. This widely performed procedure is safe, quick, painless, and totally reversible. The procedure only takes a few minutes. Punctal occluders are made of very soft flexible silicone, similar to that used in contact lenses. If you are tired of having to constantly use artificial tears throughout the day this is a great treatment. These are some of are most satisfied patients. Be sure and call us for a dry eye consultation.

Anti-inflammatory medications - Biomedical research has confirmed that inflammation plays a clinically significant role in many patients with dry eye syndrome. This is the mechanism of action in Restasis medicated drops. This is a good method of treatment in conjunction with artificial tears for some patients.

Doxycycline and oral omega-3 fatty acids - Evaporative dry eye results when meibomian gland function is compromised. Both oral doxycycline and oral omega-3 fatty acids can enhance meibomian gland function and result in a more stable, well-functioning tear film.

definition & graphics courtesy of The Vision Source!

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness. It occurs when fluid pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, resulting in a permanent loss of vision. Like diabetes and high blood pressure, glaucoma can be controlled with many forms of treatment but currently cannot be cured.

Glaucoma is often called "the sneak thief of sight". In most cases, there is no pain or other signal to warn the victim that they have the disease and risk blindness. Glaucoma generally strikes adults and becomes more common with increasing age. Adults of all races whose mothers, maternal relatives, or siblings have glaucoma are at a greater risk of getting glaucoma than the general population. People of African descent have 5 times more risk of getting this disease than Caucasians or Orientals. Diabetes and nearsightedness are also risk factors. Although glaucoma is rare in children, we still check them as early as age four or five.

The best way to prevent blindness from glaucoma is early detection through annual comprehensive eye examinations. Your eyes are tested for glaucoma using the most advanced clinical instrumentation available. We measure your eye pressure (tonometry) and compare the results against previous measurements, measure your peripheral vision (via computerized visual fields), determine there is no obstruction to the fluid drainage system in your eyes (via biomicroscopy or goniscopy), GDx Nerve Fiber Analyzer and stereoscopically evaluate your optic nerves through dilated pupils.

People with risk factors, elevated eye pressure, suspiciously shaped optic nerves, partially blocked drainage systems (narrow angles), or reduced peripheral vision should be evaluated two or four times per year.

All current forms of treatment for glaucoma are designed to preserve vision by reducing the amount of fluid entering the eye or increasing fluid drainage. The most common treatment is medicated eye drops. Depending on the type and severity of glaucoma, treatment may also include laser or other outpatient surgical procedures.

With today's technology and medical advances, glaucoma can be successfully managed and treated. The key to maintaining vision is early detection and careful long-term monitoring.

Cataracts

A Cataract is a clouding or opacity of the natural internal lens of the eye which causes a visual impairment. The natural lens is located behind the iris, or "colored part" of the eye. The opacity may be a small dot or may involve the entire lens. The opacity in the lens causes the light entering the eye to be scattered, causing images to appear hazy or blurred.

Scientists do not know the exact cause of cataract formation. They do know that a chemical change takes place within the natural lens of the eye causing it to become clouded. This clouding progresses with age, and if left untreated, can cause severe visual impairment. We co-manage with ophthalmic surgeons to provide complete treatment for cataracts.

For more information on cataracts, visit our EyeCyclopedia® or click here for the topic on Cataracts.

Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration is a condition in which the tissue of the macula (a portion of the retina responsible for visual clarity) becomes thin. It is believed to be a natural part of the aging process. Aging or systemic disease can be causes. As the disease progresses, central vision diminishes. It is believed that this breakdown may be due to a lack of nutrients being supplied to the region. Additional studies have found a genetic link to this disease.

Symptoms may include a gradual loss of visual clarity, a dark or blank area in your field of vision, a loss of clear color vision, or visual distortion. If you have symptoms, please schedule an appointment with our office today.

For more information on macular degeneration, visit the EyeCyclopedia® or click here for the topic on Macular Degeneration.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is condition where a diabetic person's blood sugar gets too high. When this occurs, the high blood sugar level starts a series of events which end in damaged blood vessel walls.

Blood vessels in the eye are small and delicate. As such, the blood vessels in the eye are easily damaged. The damaged vessels can then leak fluid or bleed, causing the retina to swell and form deposits.

Symptoms, while often not present, may include blurriness, blind spots or cloudiness in the vision. Laser and surgical treatments may be used to slow the progression and decrease the risk of vision loss.

For more information on macular degeneration, visit the EyeCyclopedia® or click here for the topic on Diabetic Retinopathy .

Flashes and Floaters

As a rule of thumb some of the signs to look for with respect to flashes and floaters that may be indicative of a serious eye problem:

Spots and floaters that suddenly increase in number and frequency and appear in parts of the eye where they have not been usually seen.
Flashes that appear frequently at an early age of flashes that appear at a later age but continue for a longer period than is normal: that is for several weeks.

A thorough exam is the best advice for anyone experiencing flashes, spots, or floaters at any time under any conditions.

For a more in-depth explanation please visit Flashes and Floaters in the Eyecyclopedia® section of our web site.

Optomap®

In our continued efforts to bring the most advanced technology available to our patients, Dr. Steven Bovio is proud to announce the inclusion of the Optomap® Retinal Exam as an integral part of your eye exam.

Many eye problems can develop without warning and progress with no symptoms. Early on, you might not even notice any change in your vision. However, diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal tears or detachments, as well as other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be detected with a thorough exam of the retina. The retina is the part of your eye that catches the image of what you are looking at, similar to the film in a camera.

An Optomap® Retinal Exam provides:

A scan to confirm a healthy eye or, to detect the presence of disease.
An overview or map of the retina, giving your doctor a more detailed view than he can achieve by other means.
The opportunity for you to view and discuss the Optomap® images of your eye with your doctor at the time of your exam.
A permanent record for your medical file, enabling your doctor to make important comparisons if potential problems show themselves at a future examination.

The Optomap® Retinal Exam is fast, easy, and comfortable.

PLEASE NOTE: The optomap® Retinal Exam may be a non-covered service with your health plan, meaning that you would be responsible for the charges. Your doctor strongly believes the Optomap ® Retinal Exam is an essential part of your comprehensive eye exam and highly recommends it for all patients once per year.

Appointments

the optical department at Gulf Coast Eye Center, Dr. Steven Bovio

To best serve our patients, all visits are by appointment only. When you call to schedule, our receptionist will ask the purpose of your visit so an appropriate amount of time can be allocated. If you cannot keep an appointment, we ask that at least 24 hours notice be given. This courtesy makes it possible to give that time to another patient.

Payments

Our staff will be happy to file insurance for all services. Payments from insurance companies are not guaranteed; therefore, the patient is responsible for the unpaid balance. Itemized statements are mailed monthly. Calls regarding your statement are accepted and returned during our normal office hours.

Health Insurance Claims

Gulf Coast Eye Center participates with most insurance plans. The co-payment must be made at the time office services are rendered unless you have a co-insurance. All questions regarding your statement will be gladly answered. The following is a list of most of the insurance plans we currently take. Please note these plans change from time to time and if your current insurance is not listed please do not hesitate to call to confirm if we take your plan.

Medicare	VCI
Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO, PPC and HO	VSP
Aetna	Vision Benefits of America
Cigna	American Medical
PHCS	Eyemed
Beech Street	Avesis

Prescriptions

Refilling your prescriptions is quick and easy. During normal office hours we can always refill your pharmaceutical, contact lens, and spectacle prescription. You can also use our convenient web store to order your lenses!