 General
Questions
1. Why do
I need an annual eye exam?
2. Do your doctors treat eye infections?
3. What is LASIK?
4. Will Eye To Eye Care accept my insurance?
5. What is 20/20 visual acuity?
6. When should a child have his or her first eye
exam?
7. Why can't I read small print?
8. Can anyone wear contact lenses?
9. Do my spectacle lenses have to be so thick?
10. Are there bifocal contact lenses?
11. Do I have to wear lined bifocals to read?
12. What are cataracts?
13. What is glaucoma?
14. What are flashers and floaters?
15. Do you accept outside prescriptions?
1. Why
do I need an annual eye exam?
Along with determining the proper
prescription for eyeglasses and the proper fit and prescription
for contact lenses, the doctor will evaluate the overall health
of your eyes, how well your eyes work together, and determine
if other health concerns might exist. The doctor will also check
for glaucoma, cataracts, and the presence of other conditions
such as diabetes and hypertension. Eye disease and disorders often
occur without obvious symptoms. Early detection is essential for
proper care and maintaining optimal vision. Because contact lenses
are considered a medical device, the State of Colorado requires
an annual examination for contact lens wearers; however, prescriptions
for glasses may be filled up to two years at the discretion of
your examining doctor.
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2. Do your doctors treat eye
infections?
Yes optometrists are able to diagnose and
treat many medical conditions of the eye. Pink eye, corneal abrasions,
foreign bodies and eye injuries are among the most common problems
treated by the doctors in our office.
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3. LASIK - How The Laser Works
LASIK is the most
advanced method of changing the shape of the cornea to improve
the way light is focused by the eye. The new LASIK procedure features
increased comfort and faster recovery time to better vision compared
with an alternate procedure known as PRK. Most people experience
very little or no discomfort and return to normal activities within
a day or two.
First a thin layer of
cornea called a "cap" is lifted by a laser cut across
the cornea. Then high energy pulses from the laser reshape the
cornea with a high level of accuracy. By adjusting the pattern
of the laser beam it is possible to treat high levels of near
sightedness and moderate levels of farsightedness and astigmatism.
The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes.
The First Step is to
determine whether you are a candidate for the LASIK procedure.
To do this you need to make an appointment for your LASIK consultation.
Please call our office at 303-683-4466 to make your appointment
and find out more about the benefits of refractive surgery.
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4. Will Eye To Eye Care accept
my insurance?
Eye to Eye care is a participating provider
for most of the insurance plans offered
by area employers. We accept the following vision plans….·
Aetna · Avesis · Cigna· Clarity Vision ·
Cole Managed Vision (Most Plans)· Eye Specialists·
Eye Plan USA · Eye Med (ECPA) · Great West/One Health
· Lens Express · Met-life (Real life Benefits) ·
Rocky Mountain U.F.C.W. · Spectera (examinations only)·
Superior Vision · V.C.P.N · Vision Care Advantage·
Vision Care Plan · Vision Service Plan (VSP)
We will also accept any
plan that allows the patient to go out of their network.
We will be happy to research
the details of your plan and authorize your benefits. In most
cases we can submit the insurance claims for our patients. If
we are unable to submit the claim for you we will provide you
with the necessary documentation to submit the claim yourself.
Please contact our insurance coordinator with any questions about
your specific eye care plan.
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5. What is 20/20 visual acuity?
20/20 simply means that a person can read
a standard size letter at a standard testing distance of 20 feet.
This commonly used notation is called Snellen Acuity. In other
words, 20/60 means that what should be seen at 60 feet away requires
the patient to move up to 20 feet away to be able to see the same
letter.
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6. When should a child have
his or her first eye exam?
Early detection and treatment of vision problems may help a child
reach his or her full potential. School vision screenings are
limited and may fail to detect problems. Just reading an eye chart
is not enough. Your family eye doctor is the most reliable source
of vision care for your children. We recommend eye examinations
for children beginning at the age of four for routine eye care,
earlier if you notice that your child is having any visual problems.
Our office is equipped with specialized equipment to aid the doctor
in determining your child’s vision needs. See our Children's
Package coupon in the promotions page.
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7. Why can't I read small print?
The ability to focus on reading and objects
within 16" to 20" decreases with age. The eye's focusing
system includes a muscle that controls the tension on fibers attached
to the lens inside the eye. The shape of the lens changes when
these muscles contract. Age affects the entire system. Starting
at about age 40, the ability to focus becomes reduced and is further
reduced until age 70. This is why many people require reading
glasses or bifocals at about 40 years of age. The power of the
reading glasses or bifocal prescription gradually increases over
time.
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8. Can anyone wear contacts?
Virtually anyone can wear contact lenses. Today, contact
lenses fit nearly every patient and lifestyle. Even patients
requiring bifocal or toric lenses can wear the new advanced lenses.
However, patients with dry eye syndrome, chronic allergies, or
corneal disorders may not be ideal candidates for contact lenses.
Additionally, certain medications may affect a person's ability
to wear contact lenses. Our doctors will be happy to discuss your
contact lens options with you. Check out our Contact Lens Ordering
section in our site:click here.
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9. Do my spectacle lenses have
to be so thick?
Certainly not! Today's spectacle
lenses are available in a variety of materials, most of which
are designed to reduce thickness and weight. Thickness, of course,
is relative to the strength of your prescription, but lenses such
as the 1.60, 1.67, and 1.71 aspheric hi-index lenses will significantly
reduce thickness and weight. An eye care professional will help
you choose the most advantageous lens material. At Eye To Eye
Care we offer all the latest in state of the art lens materials
available, one of which is just right for you.
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10. Are there bifocal contact
lenses?
Yes, there are many options now available
for contact lens wearers who require a reading prescription in
both gas permeable and soft bifocal contacts. There are many factors
in determining weather bifocal contacts are right for you. Our
doctors will be happy to discuss your contact lens options with
you.
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11. Do I have to wear lined
bifocals to read?
Lined bifocals are only one of many options
available to people who require additional prescription power
for reading. Lined bifocals have two focal lengths, distance (10
feet and beyond), and near (generally 12-18 inches), and there
is a noticeable line differentiating these two areas. The modern
spectacle alternative to traditional lined bifocals are progressive
lenses, or no-line bifocals. As the name indicates, the additional
prescription power for reading becomes progressively stronger
from the top of the lens to the bottom. This allows for the proper
prescription power at every focal length between distance and
near. As a result, Progressives provide the most natural vision
of any multi-focal lens without the line associated with traditional
bifocals. Other alternatives to bifocal eyewear are contact lenses,
either mono-vision or multi-focal contacts.
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12. What are cataracts?
Cataracts usually develop gradually and
without pain as the lens in the eye loses transparency and the
lens material yellows. The result is a gradual loss of brightness
and a slight skewing of color perception that usually goes unnoticed.
Cataracts are the leading cause of visual disability in people
over 65. Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the most common
and successful medical procedures in the world today. An annual
vision exam is very important for older adults to detect this
common eye disease. Our doctors will discuss treatment options,
should you be diagnosed.
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13. What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma occurs when there is too much fluid
pressure in the eye, causing eye damage and potential blindness.
Although glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United
States, it can be prevented if the disease is detected and treated
in time. Unfortunately, glaucoma seldom produces early symptoms,
and usually there is no pain from increased pressure. Side or
peripheral vision loss occurs as the disease progresses, although
frontal vision remains clear. Who is most likely to get glaucoma?
Anyone can get it, but there are some people who are at a higher
risk. They include:· African-Americans over the age of
40.· Everyone over the age of 60.· People with a
family history of glaucoma.
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14. What are flashers and
floaters?
The flashers and floaters you see may be
harmless, but they may also be a sign of important health issues.
Any flashing or visual disturbance that lasts more than thirty
minutes is considered an emergency and requires immediate attention.
Besides, it is always best to consult your eye doctor, because
visual disturbances may indicate a potentially serious problem.
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15. Do you accept outside
prescriptions?
Yes, we will gladly fill a current prescription
from any outside doctor's office. If necessary we will contact
your doctor's office and ask that your records be transferred
to our office at your request.
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