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What is Low Vision? |
| Low Vision
generally means not having 20/20 vision with best correction
due to an eye condition or disease. Most people with
Low vision need additional assistance with optical or
non-optical devices to help them continue daily activities
such as reading, writing and watching TV. |
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Does Insurance
pay for the exam? |
| Yes,
your "health" insurance will cover your exam if
we are a contracted provider with your insurance company.
However, the refraction (determination of eyeglass
prescription), may or may not covered by your insurance
and is a necessary diagnostic procedure that is part of
your Low Vision Evaluation with our office.
You may call our patient care coordinator to
discuss details of your insurance plan.
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Does Insurance
pay for devices? |
| No. We do offer
a 2 week loaner program with a security deposit to enable
you to determine if the devices recommended by Dr. Cates and
our Certified Low Vision Therapist, Kim, enhance your daily
activities. If you should choose to not purchase the
devices we will return your deposit to you on your return
visit in 2 weeks. |
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What are the conditions that
cause low vision? |
| There
are many conditions that cause low vision.
The most common diseases include macular
degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes retinopathy, myopic
degeneration, albinism, and retinitis
pigmentosa.
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| Do
I have to be dilated? |
| Not
necessarily. If you are already receiving care from an
eye care professional and have not had any changes in vision
since your last visit. It may not be necessary to be
dilated. This is up to the doctor's discretion. |
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| How
long is the examination? |
| The
exam usually lasts between one and two hours depending on
your needs. |
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| Will
my Low Vision ever get better? |
| The main focus
of our evaluation and treatment is on maximizing the vision
that you have now. Our goal is to help you use your
remaining vision to its fullest potential. |
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Why do I have to see a "Low Vision" eye doctor? Why
can't my regular eye doctor do the same thing for
me?
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| A
low vision evaluation is different from a routine eye
examination in that several different measurements are
taken to assess how you see.
A detailed refraction, called a trial-frame
refraction is performed and measurements such as
contrast sensitivity, color vision, and sensitivity to
different types of lighting may be taken as well.
The focus of a low vision evaluation is based on
each patient’s goals. |
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Why do I have to have an exam? Can't you just get my
records from my other eye doctor and then I can just come in
and buy a magnifier or what ever other device I want without
an exam? |
| Specific
measurements and tests are performed during the examination,
which are not generally taken in a routine eye exam to
determine the power and style of magnification needed for you,
to increase your success. However, we do contact your
primary eye care provider to determine your eye condition is
stable before conducting the evaluation. Any visual
changes may cause a change in the power of the low vision
device that is required. |
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