Are glasses examinations different from contact lens fitting? Yes, a contact lens fitting is a different type of an examination. It is not covered by medical insurance. During this set of tests the doctor determines the health and shape of the eyes. An appropriate contact lens design is then selected and fit on the cornea.
If I don’t like the frames offered through my plan, is there a way to upgrade? Yes, there is always a way to upgrade to meet your financial budget. We have a large selection of frames to meet your liking.
What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in the US. This eye disease damages the optic nerve, often as a result of abnormally high eye pressure. The damaged nerve fibers result in a loss of peripheral vision.
Who gets Glaucoma? People over the age of 40 are most likely to develop glaucoma and the risk increases with age. Other risk factors include family history, nearsightedness and ethnic origin. Specifically, people of West African descent are up to five times more likely to get glaucoma than Caucasians.
What are the Symptoms? Glaucoma is sometimes called the “silent thief of sight” because most patients have no symptoms until the late stages of the disease. Unfortunately, by then, little can be done to compensate for lost vision.
I’ve been to a Glaucoma Screening a few years ago, is that enough? No. There is no single test to diagnose Glaucoma. Furthermore, the risk of glaucoma increases with age, so even if no problems were detected in the past, does not mean that this is still the case now. The only way to diagnose glaucoma is with a series of diagnostic procedures done by your doctor. We recommend a complete eye examination every year if you are over 40.
For additional information about eye health and vision please visit www.aoa.org
