Dr. Tracy J. Montierth, O.D., and Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., provide ongoing medical eye care for conditions including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and dry eye at Family Eye Center in Safford. Office-hours emergency eye care and foreign-body removal are also available.
Medical Eye Care in Safford, AZ: Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, and Diabetic Eye Disease
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Medical Eye Care at Family Eye Center
Managing a serious eye condition takes more than a single appointment. It requires an optometrist who knows your history, tracks changes over time, and adjusts care when the situation changes. At Family Eye Center, Dr. Tracy J. Montierth, O.D., has been providing that kind of continuity in Safford for more than 36 years. Many of his patients have a documented eye health history that spans decades. Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., continues that approach as the practice moves forward.
Local Medical Eye Care Without the Long Drive
For patients in southeastern Arizona, getting medical eye care often means driving to a larger city. Tucson is approximately two hours from Safford. That distance makes it harder to keep up with the regular monitoring that conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration require. At Family Eye Center, that same level of medical eye care is available locally, Monday through Friday, without the trip. Patients from Safford, Thatcher, Pima, Morenci, Clifton, Willcox, and Duncan have relied on this practice for decades for exactly this reason.
Conditions We Manage at Our Safford Practice
Family Eye Center provides optometric management for the following medical eye conditions:
Glaucoma Management
Glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms. Regular monitoring of your eye pressure and optic nerve allows Dr. Tracy J. Montierth, O.D., or Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., to detect changes early and adjust your management plan accordingly. Both doctors have managed glaucoma patients in this community for many years.
Macular Degeneration Care
Macular degeneration affects your central vision and tends to progress slowly over time. Regular monitoring at Family Eye Center tracks the status of your macula and helps you understand what changes to watch for between appointments.
Diabetic Eye Care
If you have diabetes, an annual dilated eye exam is an important part of your overall care. Diabetic retinopathy can develop without early symptoms. Your optometrist monitors the blood vessels in your retina and communicates findings with your medical team as appropriate.
Dry Eye Treatment
Dry eye can cause persistent discomfort, blurry vision, and sensitivity that makes daily tasks harder. Family Eye Center provides dry eye care including medical eye drops, prescription treatment, and punctal plugs for patients whose condition does not respond to over-the-counter options alone.
Medical eye care appointments are typically billed under your medical insurance rather than your vision plan. Medicare is accepted. Call (928) 428-4360 to confirm how your plan applies before your appointment.
Yes. Appointments at Family Eye Center for glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, dry eye, and other medical conditions are generally billed under your medical insurance rather than your vision plan. Medicare is accepted. Coverage depends on your specific plan and the nature of your visit. Call (928) 428-4360 before your appointment to confirm how your insurance applies.
Yes. Many patients who see a retinal specialist, glaucoma specialist, or ophthalmologist for surgical care also see a local optometrist for routine monitoring and follow-up. Family Eye Center can work alongside your specialist care and provide the more frequent monitoring appointments that are often needed between specialist visits. Bring a summary of your specialist's findings and current treatment plan to your first appointment.
Family Eye Center does not have an after-hours emergency line. If you experience a serious eye emergency outside of Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, go to your nearest emergency room. If your problem occurs during office hours, call (928) 428-4360 as soon as possible, and we will do our best to see you the same day.
Office-Hours Emergency Eye Care in Safford
If you experience an urgent eye problem during office hours, call (928) 428-4360 right away. We handle the following during regular eye clinic hours:
- Foreign-body removal, including metal or debris in the eye from work or outdoor activity.
- Sudden eye pain or injury.
- Eye infections and pink eye.
- Sudden changes in vision, including flashes or floaters.
- Chemical exposure or splash to the eye.
LASIK and Cataract Co-Management
If you are considering LASIK surgery or have been diagnosed with cataracts requiring surgical removal, Family Eye Center provides co-management services before and after your procedure. Co-management means your optometrist handles the pre-operative evaluation and post-operative care while the surgery itself is performed by a surgeon. This arrangement allows you to have your follow-up care close to home rather than traveling repeatedly to a surgical center. Talk to Dr. Tracy J. Montierth, O.D., or Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., about whether co-management is appropriate for your situation.
Ongoing Monitoring and Disease Tracking
Glaucoma and macular degeneration often cause no noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Regular monitoring allows your optometrist to measure eye pressure, examine your optic nerve, and detect retinal changes before they affect your daily vision.
Medical Treatment and Management
Medical eye care goes beyond diagnosis. Your optometrist may prescribe eye drops to manage pressure, recommend dry eye treatment including punctal plugs, coordinate findings with your primary care physician, or adjust your plan when test results change.
Protecting Your Independence as You Age
Eye diseases and conditions can gradually affect the vision you need to drive, read, and live independently. Consistent appointments allow Dr. Tracy J. Montierth, O.D., and Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., to track those changes and respond before they become harder to manage.
Schedule a Medical Eye Care Appointment in Safford
To schedule a medical eye care appointment with Dr. Tracy J. Montierth, O.D., or Dr. Landon J. Montierth, O.D., call (928) 428-4360. Walk-ins are welcome during office hours for urgent concerns. Medicare and most medical insurance plans are accepted.