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.

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.