Q&A with the Doc: Why Doesn't Insurance Cover Contact Lens Exams

Question: Why am I charged for a contact lens exam if I my insurance company pays for a “Comprehensive Eye Exam”?

Answer: A comprehensive eye exam includes evaluation for each eye’s focus and eye pointing capability at all distances, and an evaluation of how the eyes focus and converge. The “which is better: one or two?” portion of the exam is the refraction and results in a spectacle prescription. It also includes external and internal eye health evaluation including checks for glaucoma, cataracts and macula degeneration.

A contact lens is a synthetic device made of hard or soft plastic polymer that rests upon the living, naturally clear tissue of the cornea. Additional testing and measurements are made to assure, safe, comfortable and best possible vision correction.

I am a medically focused Optometric Physician and insist that my patients allow me to protect their eye health, in order for them to have decades of successful contact lens wear. A contact lens Examination and Fitting process requires evaluation of the lids, lashes, and corneas in order to provide the best and safest contact lens prescription. This requires extra time, training and skill on the part of the doctor. The patient must also become a student and learn from the doctor and his staff how to handle, clean, disinfects, insert and remove the lenses.

Experience and training allow me to determine the most appropriate lens for the patient, that will provide:

1. Clear vision
2. Comfortable wear
3. Safety for the eye

The patient has votes for number 1 and 2, but my vote for 3 overrides 1 and 2. I base the successful completion of the fit on how the patient adapts to the lens over a 4 to 8 week period. This requires that the patient return to my office for me to evaluate the cornea and contact lens combination during that period and annually. The contact lens examination and fitting program fees include the two months of follow-up visits and all trial lenses used for adaptation.

You may wonder why is medical monitoring of contact lens fitting necessary? Aside from the immediate benefits of a responsible fit, the long term health of the cornea is protected. Many contact lens patients convert to Lasik patients later on. If the cornea is healthy, laser surgery can proceed without an extended period of corneal rehabilitation before the patient is allowed to have the surgery. Also a healthy cornea and continuous 20/20 vision provide a best case playing field for the laser surgeon to achieve an optimal outcome.

Bison Vision Center's web-based store matches online prices of 1-800 xxxxxxxx, and delivers them to your home. As a patient of Bison Vision Center, when you purchase your contact lenses through our online store  at www.bisonvisioncenter:

• the consumer rebate coupons AUTOMATICALLY appear, reducing your cost even further;
• we provide replacement contact lenses, when a contact lens tears or you run out of lenses just before your annual exam.

Thank you. I appreciate your business and your loyalty!

Dr. Doug Smith, O.D.
(aka. Doc Bison)

Doc Bison Facts of Life: Your Vision at Work

Did you know that you can save yourself physical stress and discomfort while at work AND improve your efficiency buy maintaining good posture? Here are a few tips on how to achieve optimal results!

  

Sitting Pretty Infographics 

First and most importantly, modify your chair with cushions to follow the 90 degree rule:

•     Head over shoulders and elbows
•     Elbows at 90 degrees to torso and parallel to the floor
•     Hips and knees parallel to the floor
•     Knees above ankles
•     Keep feet flat on the floor

If you use bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses, the center of your computer screen should be slightly lower as well as parallel to your tilted face. You should be able to look over the top of your computer screen while looking straight ahead.

The concept of "special use" glasses is becoming a reality with today’s technology. A 15", 17" and even 21” illuminated monitor is not have the same visual demand as a book or sheet of paper. While We traditionally think of “a pair” of glasses to perform successfully in all environments and for all needs day to day activities of shopping, reading and driving, work environment, and all recreational and sports activity, this is no longer the case. Especially with smartphones and the tiny screens, this is another workout for your vision. It is important to talk with me, your eye care professional, about your vision "use and needs" so we can discuss what type of glasses are best for you.

If you use a large screen, you may also need special work spectacles. We have special lens designs that allow for larger fields in the middle (CRT RANGE) and bottom (DESK LEVEL) sections of the fields while still allowing you to respond to someone who comes to your workstation without having to remove your glasses. We are always willing to discuss this very useful problem solver lens with you.

Contact our office today to schedule your appointment and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Douglas G Smith, O.D.
(aka. Doc Bison)