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No Vision Insurance? No Problem.

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Many people don’t realize that their “yearly eye exam,” or at least a portion of it, may now be covered by medical insurance and not just vision insurance. Thanks to many hardworking optometrists and legislators, today’s optometrists now have the same access to filing medical insurance as do any other physicians. This is great news for many Americans because more people have medical insurance than vision insurance, and many vision insurances offer only a minimal discount on the exam.

Is there a catch? Well of course. Not all eye exams can be billed to medical insurance because insurances only pay if a health problem exists or is diagnosed. Most patients, especially those past the age of 40, will have a qualifying health problem even if they are not directly aware of it. Some of the more common qualifying health problems include blepharitis, diabetes, hypertension, cataracts, styes, dry eye syndrome, glaucoma and more. Plus, almost all visits to the optometrist for red eyes, eye infections, and eye injuries will also be covered.

Today’s optometrists diagnose and treat a large array of eye injuries and diseases. So the next time you call your favorite optometrist for your yearly eye exam be sure to tell him or her about your health insurance as well. It could save you a lot of money that you’d rather be spending on those designer glasses you had your eye on.

AOA Study Cites Safety and Compliance Issues for Rx Eyeglasses Ordered Online

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

October 17, 2011 12:27 AM

ST. LOUIS—Consumers who order prescription eyeglasses online often receive glasses that fail to comply with optical tolerance and impact resistance requirements, according to a newly released study conducted by the American Optometric Association in conjunction with the Optical Laboratories Association and The Vision Council.

The study, which was published in the September issue of Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association, found that nearly half of the prescription eyewear ordered online in the U.S.—44.8 percent—had incorrect prescriptions or did not meet physical parameters to provide sufficient protection to the wearer.

Over a two-month period in 2010, 10 individuals from across the U.S. ordered two pairs of glasses, including pairs for both adults and children, from each of 10 of the most visited online optical vendors, for a total of 200 pairs of glasses. Frame styles were chosen from the mid-range options offered by each vendor, in varying frame materials, lens styles and prescriptions. The AOA’s published article did not identify the online optical vendors/retailers selected for the study.

Of the eyeglasses ordered, 154 pairs were received. After they were received, lens analysis included measurement of sphere power, cylinder power and axis, add power (if specified), separation of distance optical centers and center thickness.

Several pairs were provided incorrectly such as single vision instead of bifocals, or lens treatments that were added or omitted, the AOA reported. In 29 percent of glasses received, at least one lens was not within the parameters of the prescription. Nearly 23 percent of the lenses failed impact testing, based on center thickness and lens treatment. Of the children’s glasses tested, 29 percent failed impact testing.

Karl Citek, OD, PhD, a lead study author from Pacific University College of Optometry, noted that patients who purchase eyewear without the assistance of a trained professional may not receive a product of equal performance, value or safety. “Patients do not receive the benefit of ensuring an accurate prescription and a proper fit,” he wrote.

Sam Pierce, OD, trustee for the AOA, said consumers should be cautious when ordering any medical devices online. “Although online retailers may effectively market cost savings associated with online purchase of eyewear, consumers should beware, as this study points out, that the lack of oversight and quality control can lead to inferior products that could be harmful,” Pierce said.

Important Halloween Safety Tips

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

HALLOWEEN SAFETY RELIES ON GOOD VISIBILITY

Northern VA, October 25, 2011—On Halloween, an assortment of ballerinas, clowns, ghosts, and other goblins will have their eyes on just one thing—candy. Roaming dimly lit neighborhoods is part of the fun for children in pursuit of treats, but it can also be dangerous.

Trick-or-treaters and parents need to remember that on Halloween, to be safe, you must be seen,” Dr. Hieu Vu-Gia of Associates in Eyecare, Optometrists, PC in Oakton said. “Studies have shown that a child’s risk of injury or death as a result of being hit by a car doubles around Halloween.”

Incorporate these simple precautions into the evening’s festivities to ensure Halloween safety:

  • Dress children in light-colored costumes or adhere reflective tape to the costume’s fabric and accessories. Make sure children and adults are visible to passing cars.
  • Eliminate masks from among the costume’s accessories. Masks can get in the way of clear vision and can increase the chances of tripping or running into objects.
  • Hypoallergenic make-up is a safer alternative. Take care in keeping make-up away from the eyes.
  • No trick-or-treater should go in search of treats alone. Children move through darkened neighborhoods more safely if accompanied by an adult.
  • Approach only doorsteps that have a porch light lit. Similarly, if you plan to pass out treats, be sure to turn on your light.
  • Pedestrians think they are more visible to drivers than they actually are, so remind trick-or-treaters to look both ways before crossing streets and to stay with the group.
  • If cosmetic contact lenses are part of your costume, make sure you obtain them from your doctor of optometry to ensure that the lenses that fit your eyes properly, and to learn ways to care for them.
focusing on the person behind the eyes

Before Back to School, Get Back to the Optometrist for Better Learning

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

Oakton, VA, August 2011Vision is a dominant process in the growth, development and daily performance of children. In fact, eighty percent of what a students learn is through vision. And yet, 86 percent of all school-age children have not had a complete eye examination. Ever.

“This could mean that thousands of school-aged children simply can’t see correctly,” Dr. Hieu Vu-Gia from Associates In Eyecare, Optometrists, PC of Oakton said. “Parents and teachers need to know that with a complete eye examination, we can diagnose and begin treatment of many of these debilitating vision and eye health issues.”

Students with poor vision can be misdiagnosed as learning impaired, as having attention deficient disorder, or are just plain left behind from their peer group. And these kids don’t know that they can’t see what their friend sees, because they don’t know what normal vision is like.

It also means that many children, by the time they have that first examination, may have a condition, such as amblyopia or lazy eye, which now cannot be treated and is the leading cause of blindness. If they had had a complete eye examination earlier in their lives, the condition could have been easily corrected.

“We encourage parents to have children examined three times prior to starting school: at 6 months, 3 years and before starting kindergarten,” Dr. Vu-Gia said. “This monitors eye development and can prevent conditions that may be irreversible in later years.”

Teachers can help too by letting parents know the importance of eye examinations and the link between good vision and successful learning. Children need to have a complete eye examination where vision acuity, eye health and vision skills are measured. And they need to have these examinations at an early age.

Comprehensive vision examinations can only be conducted by an eye care professional with the specialized training needed to make a definitive diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Keep in mind that a vision screening, while a useful tool, is a limited process and cannot be used to diagnose an eye or vision problem, but rather to indicate a potential need for further evaluation.

Optometrist Dr. Hieu Vu-Gia has been serving the eye care needs of patients in Northern Virginia for 15 years. For more information, please visit us at www.OaktonEyecare.com.

Are You A Good Candidate for Laser Correction

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Good candidates are at least 18 years of age, in good general health, and with no eye diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma. A screening with your TLC eye doctor is the best way to determine if you are a candidate and what your probable outcome may be. If you do not have an eye doctor who is trained in laser vision correction, your local TLC Laser Eye Center will refer you to an experienced laser doctor in your area. TLC Laser Eye Centers also offer complimentary consultations.

Good candidates should be free of eye diseases including keratoconus, glaucoma, cataracts and certain retinal and optic nerve diseases. Candidates should be free of certain eye viruses including herpes simplex and herpes zoster. Good candidates should also be free of certain health problems including uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune or collagen vascular disease, and any medication or condition which renders the patient immunocompromised.

Read the full article here - http://www.tlcvision.com/ami_eligibility.fxml

Is 3D Bad for You?

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

From the MIT Technology Review…

Is 3D Bad for You? Researchers are studying whether viewing 3D causes eyestrain.

The success of 3D movies has been accompanied by complaints from some viewers of headaches and eyestrain. And with 3D TVs, Blu-Ray players, and games coming to the home this year, some experts are calling for more research into the possibility of eyestrain associated with 3D viewing, particularly on smaller screens that are closer to the viewer.

Read the full article here.

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