Eye Care Answers
Answers to Your Eye Care Questions
Every day, we answer dozens of question about eye care. With new developments being made in the field of optometry all the time, it can be hard for most people to know how they can take better care of their vision. There are many simple steps you can take to protect your eyes. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about eye care or about our practice. Just give us a call: (402) 292-0651.
Q. Who are optometrists? A. Doctors of optometry (ODs) are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.
Q. Why do I need an eye exam? A. Regular comprehensive eye examinations are an important part of routine preventive health care and help to make sure you have the best vision possible. Many eye and vision conditions present no obvious symptoms. Therefore, individuals are often unaware that a problem exists. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for maintaining good vision and, when possible, preventing permanent vision loss.
Q. Does an optometrist at Wal-Mart have the same educational background as an optometrist in private practice? A. ALL doctors of optometry are trained to examine, diagnose, treat and manage disorders that affect the eye or vision. After attending a university or college for their undergraduate education, optometry students concentrate specifically on the structure, function and disorders of the eye for 4 additional years during their graduate education to earn their doctoral degree. While concentrating on the eye and visual system, optometrists also study general health in courses such as human anatomy, biochemistry and physiology. In addition to their formal, doctoral-level training, all optometrists participate in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on the latest standards of care and to maintain their licenses to practice.
Q. Are you employed by Wal-Mart? A. No. I am an independent doctor of optometry who chose to locate my practice at Wal-Mart, which is my landlord. I make no income from selling glasses or contacts, only from providing comprehensive exams and treating ocular disease. Wal-Mart does not have any influence on my recommendations or decisions.
Q. How can your fees be so much lower than other eye doctors? Will I receive a quality exam?
A. We provide a thorough exam with the most advanced diagnostic instruments to evaluate your vision needs and uncover any other ocular conditions that may go undetected, if not regularly monitored. I received my doctor’s degree after the same four years of training that all optometrists receive and was licensed to practice by the state after extensive testing. We can offer lower fees because our overhead is lower operating here, and we are able to keep busy seeing patients all day because of our convenient location.
Q. How much does an eye exam cost?
A. We offer a variety of vision exams and medical eye exams and procedures. The cost of your examination will depend on the tests that we need to perform to evaluate your ocular health and treat your eye related problems.
Q. Will I receive a written prescription after the exam? Will the prescription be accepted anywhere?
A. We will supply a written prescription and summary of your exam as you leave the office.The prescription is valid anywhere in the U.S.
Q. I had an eye exam a little over a year ago, and my vision seems fine. Why do I need another exam?
A. We think it is important that all of our patients receive an annual eye exam. Your vision can change over a 12-month period. A regular check-up enables us to uncover any sight-threatening ocular conditions that can develop, unnoticed by you.
Q. Will you accept my insurance plan?
A. For the convenience of our patients, we accept most vision plans for whatever portion of the examination cost the plan covers. Some of the major vision insurance plans we accept are: Tricare, Spectera, United Healthcare-Federal Employee Plan, Superior Vision, Nebraska Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Humana, Midlands Choice, Lumenos and Coventry. Medical insurance companies will not pay for "routine" eye examinations, but may cover for medical eye care(i.e. glaucoma/glaucoma suspects, cataract evaluation, red eye evaluation, allergy eyes, diabetics and dry eyes to name a few).
Q. Why does it cost more for a contact lens exam? A. We do additional testing with contact lens patients to measure the curvature of the eye to ensure that we prescribe the lens that optimizes fit and comfort. We also do an evaluation after you have worn the lenses for a given period to make sure there are no complications.
Q. Aren’t all contact lenses the same? Shouldn’t I just buy the cheapest ones?
A. They are not all the same. The contact lens companies spend millions of dollars every year to improve their lenses and regularly introduce new and better technology. You wouldn’t want to buy a five-year-old computer. For the same reason, it’s best to keep current and wear the latest and best lenses. Right now the companies are introducing new lens materials that allow much more oxygen to pass through, making them healthier to wear and enabling people to wear them in comfort for 14 hours or more per day. We recommend these new materials to most patients, even though they cost a little more, because we think they are better for their eyes in the long run.
Q. Will my eyes be dilated? A. Ideally, yes. Dilation of the eyes allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of the interior components of your eye's health. I recommend that most individuals have their eyes dilated every two years. Some higher risk patients may need to have their eyes dilated annually. There is no additional fee for dilation.
These are just a few of the questions about eye care that we receive every day. We hope that if you have any concerns about eye care or want to have your vision checked, you will make an appointment with your eye doctor right away. Many serious vision problems can be prevented when signs are revealed in a regular eye care check-up. Don't delay when it comes to your vision.
