Meet our Optometrist: Dr. Emily Crane, OD
Dr. Emily Crane received her undergraduate degree from Emory University and her Doctorate from SUNY College of Optometry. After receiving her Doctorate, she went on to complete a one-year residency in Ocular Disease at SUNY Optometry where she furthered her training and education to deliver advanced ophthalmic care to meet the visual needs of a diverse population of patients. During her residency and thereafter, Dr. Crane worked alongside and in conjunction with many ophthalmologists. Dr. Crane is a member of the New York State Optometric Association and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Her article on retinal dystrophies is published in the Optometry and Vision Science Journal.
At Clairmont Nichols Opticians, Dr. Crane provides, among other services, comprehensive eye exams, careful refractions, and contact lens fittings, including multifocal and monovision contact lenses for presbyopic adults. Dr. Crane specializes in dry eye treatments and low vision exams for patients with reduced vision. She also prescribes prism lenses for patients with binocular diplopia.
Read Dr. Crane's article in the Optometry and Vision Science Journal on Retinal Pattern Dystrophies
Dr. Emily Crane, OD
Comprehensive Eye Exams
A comprehensive eye exam at Clairmont Nichols is about the health of your eyes, not only your prescription. Along with a careful refraction, Dr. Crane evaluates the cornea and tear film, measures intraocular pressure, and dilates the pupils so she can examine the retina, optic nerve, macula, vitreous and lens.
Many eye conditions cause no symptoms at all — early glaucoma is usually undetectable by the patient — and systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are often first found during a dilated exam.
Low Vision Evaluations
Low vision is any loss of sight that glasses or contact lenses cannot correct to normal — most often caused by age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or cataracts. It can affect central vision, peripheral vision or contrast sensitivity, and it makes everyday things like reading, writing and getting around at night difficult.
A low vision evaluation measures the vision that remains and matches it to the aids that make daily tasks possible again. Dr. Crane reserves extra time for these appointments so she can trial different prescriptions and devices, and demonstrate how each one is used.
The Eyedaptic
Dr. Crane is proudly the only optometrist in New York State who has the Eyedaptic! The Eyedaptic offers wearable electronic glasses that use augmented reality technology to enhance vision in patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy and other low-vision diseases. Please message Dr. Crane for inquiries.
Prism
Prism glasses are special prescription glasses used to help patients with binocularity issues. The most common symptoms that prism glasses are prescribed for include:
Diplopia (double vision)
Eye fatigue while reading
Difficulty following lines while reading after an extended period
Depth perception issues
Balance issues
Feeling the need to close one eye to see clearer
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Crane to get evaluated for prism glasses. Please note, some patients with double vision due to underlying neurological issues also need to be followed by a neurologist and/or neuro-ophthalmologist.
Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease is a multifactorial ocular surface disease that affects approximately 7% of all Americans. Some studies report that as many as 50% of New Yorkers are affected.
Tears are comprised of three layers: lipids (oils), aqueous (water), and mucin. Together, the three layers are known as the tear film. The integrity of all three layers is important to provide appropriate lubrication for the front surface of the eye. However, very often, at least one of these layers is impaired, ultimately leading to dry eyes. Different types of dry eye include blepharitis, evaporative, and aqueous deficient.
There are many causes of dry eyes including heavy computer or screen usage, medications, underlying auto-immune diseases, contact lens wear, and environment (e.g., heat in the winter and air-conditioning in the summer often exacerbate dry eye).
Some common symptoms include:
Redness
Excessive tearing
Itching
Burning/stinging
Eye fatigue
Light sensitivity
Gritty/foreign body sensation
Chronic styes
Intermittent blurry vision that fluctuates with blinking
There are many ways to treat dry eye disease depending on the type of dry eye. Some treatment options include:
Eyelid hygiene
Warm compresses
Over-the-counter artificial tears
Prescription eye drops
Punctal plugs
Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs are small, biocompatible devices that are inserted into the tear duct. By blocking this drainage duct, natural tears maintain on the ocular surface for longer, preventing dryness. Punctal plugs are smaller than a grain of rice and patients do not feel them once they are inserted properly. They can be inserted during a routine eye exam, usually taking no more than 5 minutes for both eyes. Depending on the type of plug used, they can last from days to months. Dr. Crane can answer all questions regarding punctal plugs during your eye exam!
There is no need to live with dry, irritated, scratchy eyes! Dr. Crane can diagnose what type of dry eye you have and properly manage and treat your symptoms. If you or someone you know is suffering from dry eyes, make an appointment today!
Contact Lens Fittings
Dr. Crane fits all types of soft contact lenses, including:
Daily disposable, biweekly, monthly, or quarterly lenses
New contact lens wearers: Dr. Crane reserves an hour to personally teach you how to insert and remove contact lenses in a safe and effective manner.
Toric (astigmatic)
Contact lenses for presbyopic adults: Dr. Crane works with each individual patient to provide comfortable and functional vision for distance and near viewing while wearing contact lenses.
Monovision: What are monovision contact lenses? Monovision contact lenses are fit so that the dominant eye is fully corrected for distance, while the non-dominant eye is under corrected so that eye can see up close. Sounds funny! But with both eyes open, wearers can usually attain good distance and near vision, and surprisingly, most people adapt to this easily!
Multifocal: What are multifocal contact lenses? Multifocal contact lenses contain multiple prescriptions to provide a range of vision between distance viewing and up close.
Contact Lens Brands:
Johnson and Johnson Acuvue (Dr. Crane is proud to be a Acuvue Preferred Practice member!)
Alcon
Bausch & Lomb
Coopervision
& more…
During your contact lens fitting appointment, Dr. Crane will discuss what type of contact lenses are best for you and your visual needs.
Order Contact Lenses
F.A.Q.
What payment methods do you accept?
Dr. Crane accepts all payment methods, including all credit cards, HSA and FSA cards, checks or cash. Dr. Crane also accepts CareCredit.
We provide itemized receipts for out-of-network insurance reimbursement.
How often should I have an eye exam?
According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), it is recommended to have comprehensive eye exams at least every year if you have any of the following risk factors:
- Personal or family history of ocular diseases
- Systemic health conditions with potential ocular manifestations
- Taking medications with potential ocular manifestations
- Contact lens wearers
- High refractive error (high glasses prescriptions)
- 65 years and older
Otherwise, a comprehensive eye exam is recommended every other year.
Is staring at screens all day bad for my eyes?
Staring at screens for a long period of time can lead to eye strain and dry eyes. Eye strain is caused by focusing at near objects for prolonged periods of time. Therefore, it is important to give your eyes a break -- one trick is called the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This allows the focusing muscles in the eyes to rest. Another option to prevent eye strain is computer glasses. Some computer glasses come with the blue light filter. Blue light has been associated with eye strain, migraines and headaches so depending on your symptoms it may be beneficial to have this filter.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Crane for just a glasses prescription if I see a different doctor for my eye health?
Yes!