Frequently Asked Questions

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Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 50.

Nearsightedness, or myopia, is when a person can see things up close clearly but things in the distance are blurry. Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is when a person can see things in the distance clearly but things up close are blurry.

 Please bring any pre-completed forms, your doctor’s referral form, an HMO pre-authorization form (if applicable) and your insurance card. A list of your current medications and dosages, as well as any relevant medical records. Finally, you may find it helpful to prepare a list of questions you have for the doctor. 

Most eyecare experts recommend that you have a comprehensive eye examination every one to two years depending on your age, risk factors and whether you wear corrective lenses. Children need regular eye examinations to detect vision problems that can interfere with learning.

Chronically high blood sugar from diabetes is associated with damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy. The retina detects light and converts it to signals sent through the optic nerve to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy can cause blood vessels in the retina to leak fluid or hemorrhage (bleed), distorting vision. In its most advanced stage, new abnormal blood vessels proliferate (increase in number) on the surface of the retina, which can lead to scarring and cell loss. This can lead to possibly permanent vision loss. For this reason yearly diabetic examinations are critical in monitoring for these changes.

A refraction is the test performed to determine your best vision. While looking through a device called a phoropter, you may be shown letters or symbols, and asked “Which one is better… one or two?”

The refraction needs to be performed so the doctor can determine if a vision change is from a disease process or just a change in your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription. The doctor will discuss the results of the refraction and you may request a signed copy.

Unfortunately, Medicare considers this a routine test and therefore does not approve it making it a non-covered service. Since Medicare does not cover it, many commercial insurance companies follow suit and consider it a non-covered service. We confirm insurance benefits prior to all appointments to determine whether this test is covered. We wish all insurances recognized the medical necessity of this test. The charge for this test is $55.

Here at MiVision we focus on medical treatment and therefore do not participate in vision insurance plans. If you have vision insurance we would be happy to direct you to an optometrist for a refraction examination.

Premium intraocular lenses are used in conjunction with cataract surgery to increase glasses independence. These are lens options that are not covered by any insurance due to being deemed ‘cosmetic’.

Dilating drops are used to dilate or enlarge the pupils of the eye to allow the ophthalmologist to get a better view of the inside of your eye. This is necessary to evaluate for medical conditions that may be present inside of the back of your eye.

Dilating drops frequently blur vision for a length of time which varies from person to person and may make bright lights bothersome. It is not possible for your ophthalmologist to predict how much your vision will be affected.

Driving may be difficult immediately after an examination. For this reason, if you have not experienced  dilation before it is recommended that you have a driver take you to/from your appointment.

As the practice does not employ an optometrist we are unable to provide contact lens services.  However, we would be happy to direct you to an optometrist for this service.