Ophthalmology
What’s happening
with your vision?
You’ve noticed something. A fading distance, a struggle with the small print, a cloudiness that wasn’t there a year ago. Understanding what’s changing in your eyes is the first step toward fixing it. At Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, we help you recognise the pattern, then match you with the right solution.
The ophthalmology department at Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, led by Dr. Andrea Russo, MD, PhD, assesses and treats refractive errors, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and dry-eye disease — with or without surgery, depending on what your eyes need and what fits your life.
8 signals
Plain-language patterns to recognise
1 examination
A full diagnostic assessment
All ages
From early symptoms to later-life change
Clear options
Surgery, treatment or monitoring
Small changes add up
Understanding them
matters.
Most people don’t notice their vision changing until they do. The moment hits differently each time: a road sign that was always legible suddenly isn’t. A menu held further and further from your face. A photograph in which your eyes look tired even though you slept well. A glare around car headlights at night that used to be faint.
None of these moments mean something is wrong with you. They mean something is changing in your eyes — and that something has a name, a trajectory and, almost always, a treatment.
The problem isn’t the change itself. It’s postponing the moment you understand what it is. Refractive errors, presbyopia and cataract do not improve on their own. At Palazzo Manzoni, the eye examination is the place where the pattern becomes clear.
Your symptoms
What your vision may be telling you
A starting point, not a diagnosis. An eye examination confirms what is happening and which option fits your eyes and your life.
The department is led by Dr. Andrea Russo, MD, PhD, whose research, teaching and inventions in refractive surgery set the clinical standard the whole team works to.
01
Distance is blurry but close-up is clear
Myopia means light focuses in front of the retina: close vision stays clear, while distance is blurred. Glasses, contact lenses, laser vision correction or ICL lens implantation may help.
02
Close-up is blurry but distance is clear
Hyperopia means light focuses behind the retina, making close work more tiring even when distance is clear. Glasses, contact lenses, laser vision correction or ICL lens implantation may be suitable.
03
The world looks blurry at all distances, or blurry in one direction
Astigmatism is an irregular corneal shape that can blur or stretch vision at every distance. It can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, laser vision correction or toric lenses.
04
I can see distance clearly, but the small print has become a real problem
This is often presbyopia: the natural lens becomes less flexible from around age 40. Reading glasses, Presbyond or premium lenses may reduce dependence on glasses.
05
My distance and near are both blurry, and I see halos around lights
Blurred distance and near vision with glare or halos can indicate a cataract. Cataract surgery replaces the clouded lens and can also address long-standing refractive error.
06
I have a high prescription and I’ve been told laser isn’t an option for me
If laser is not suitable because of a high prescription or thin cornea, you may still have options. ICL lens implantation corrects high prescriptions without removing corneal tissue.
07
My eyes feel dry, gritty or watery. I’m having trouble with screens
Dry-eye disease can cause grittiness, watering and screen discomfort. It is common and treatable, with care tailored to the cause after an eye examination.
08
I’m over 65 and noticing a blurry spot in central vision, or straight lines look wavy
Central blur or wavy straight lines can be an early sign of age-related macular degeneration. It needs a timely eye examination, because early detection and monitoring matter.
How to use this page
You may recognise yourself
in more than one card.
01
That is normal
Many people have myopia and early presbyopia. Some have astigmatism and cataract. Others notice dry eye and blurred distance.
02
This page is a starting point
Only a thorough examination can reveal what is actually happening in your eyes. At Palazzo Manzoni, we assess these conditions together and build a plan around what matters most to you.
03
One hour can change what’s clear
Your examination is unhurried: detailed diagnostics, a conversation about your life and vision goals, and a clear explanation of the options available — whether glasses, contact lenses, laser surgery, lens implantation or monitoring.
04
You leave with clarity
You commit to nothing during the visit. You leave with a clear explanation and the next step that fits your eyes and your life.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about
vision and eye examinations
How often should I have an eye examination?
If you have no known eye disease and no refractive error, a comprehensive examination every two years is standard. If you wear glasses or contacts, annual exams are recommended. If you have cataract, dry eye, AMD or another diagnosed condition, your specialist will recommend the appropriate monitoring schedule.
Is the eye examination painful?
No. It involves no needles, no scalpels and no pain. You may feel slight pressure from the tonometer and some tests use bright lights, but discomfort is minimal. If anything causes actual pain, tell your doctor immediately.
What happens during a comprehensive eye examination at Palazzo Manzoni?
Your visit lasts about an hour. It includes visual-acuity testing, refraction, assessment of eye alignment and movement, intraocular-pressure measurement, dilated retinal examination, corneal topography, and discussion of your symptoms, goals and medical history. Additional imaging may be recommended.
Do I need a referral to see an ophthalmologist at Palazzo Manzoni?
No. You can book directly by phone, email, WhatsApp or online form. No referral from your general practitioner is required, though you are welcome to bring existing reports from other eye doctors.
Can I be tested for multiple conditions in one visit?
Yes. A comprehensive examination assesses refractive error, cataract, dry eye, age-related macular degeneration and eye pressure in one appointment. If you are considering laser or cataract surgery, procedure-specific tests are also carried out or scheduled shortly after the initial exam.
What if I’ve been told I’m not a candidate for a procedure elsewhere?
A second opinion is always reasonable. Different clinics have different equipment and expertise. Patients told no to laser elsewhere are often candidates for ICL; the assessment determines what is actually true for your eyes.
Will I need drops in my eyes during the examination?
For most of the exam, no. Towards the end, dilating drops are usually used so the doctor can examine the retina in detail. They take about 20 minutes to work and last about 4–6 hours, during which vision may be blurry and light-sensitive.
Is the examination covered by insurance?
That depends on your insurance policy and the reason for the visit. An examination for a refractive error may not be covered; an examination for cataract or a medical eye condition usually is. Our administrative team can clarify your coverage after initial contact.
How do I know if I need surgery versus glasses or contacts?
That is determined during the examination. Some refractive errors are best managed with glasses or contacts, some are ideal candidates for laser or ICL, and some patients simply prefer not to have surgery. The consultation presents the options honestly.
What happens after the examination?
You leave with a clear explanation of your eyes’ current state and a recommendation for next steps — monitoring, non-surgical treatment or a procedure. If a procedure is appropriate, you receive a written plan and itemised cost estimate. You decide in your own time.
Understanding your eyes is the beginning
Your next step begins
with clear answers.
At Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, your eye examination is personal, thorough and designed to give you answers — and options — you can trust.
Address
Via dei Mille 14, 25122 Brescia, Italia
Phone
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30-18:30 · Sat 9:00-13:00
01
Get in touch
Call, email, WhatsApp or book online.
02
Meet your specialist
A thorough examination to understand your vision.
03
Understand your options
A clear explanation and a written plan if treatment is right for you.
Scientific research
Dr. Andrea Russo is first author of a review on the mechanisms of myopia and the strategies to slow its progression, published in the Journal of Ophthalmology (2022). The team’s full list of publications is available on PubMed.
Content reviewed by Dr. Andrea Russo and Dr. Pierdavide Perrini, refractive surgeons at the Institute.