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The Importance of Vision Screenings: Eye Exams vs Vision Screenings

With the rush of our daily lives, it’s easy for things to slip your mind. You may forget to take the trash out or to return that phone call from your mom. But one thing you never want to forget is to schedule a vision screening.

It’s natural to have questions before making an appointment for a vision test. Your eye care is important to us, so we answered some of the most common ones for you.

What Does Your Eye Doctor Look for During a Vision Screening?

You may have received a vision screening at work or at school years ago. Maybe you had a visual screening test when you renewed your driver’s license.

This is not the same as a comprehensive eye exam. A screening is usually performed by volunteers, a school nurse, or a DMV employee and will last only a few minutes.

During a vision screening, you will be tested for major problems as quickly as possible. Some things that are tested for include blurred vision and loss of muscle control. This is usually done by reading the letters on an eye chart.

Vision ScreeningWhat is the Difference Between a Vision Screening and An Eye Exam?

A vision screening test is intended to identify people with undetected vision problems. During a screening, you will be tested for many things including symptoms of major eye problems, and if the person performing the visual screening foresees any major issues, they will recommend you schedule an appointment with your optometrist or ophthalmologist for further examination.

A comprehensive eye exam, on the other hand, is an in-depth examination performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. During an eye exam, you will be checked not only for visual acuity and color blindness but also for signs of serious eye problems, like glaucoma and cataracts. Vision problems can be treated if they are detected early.

Early signs of serious health problems can also be detected during your eye exam. These can include high blood pressure as well as the risk of stroke and diabetes. Your doctor will discuss your results and go over any eye care instructions they may have.  

Adults should have comprehensive vision exams every two years. However, if you’re 60 or older you should have your eyes checked once a year to make sure you are seeing as well as you should.

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Eye DoctorWhat is a Cataract Screening?

A cataract screening is usually one part of a comprehensive eye exam. People with a cataract see the world as if they are looking through a foggy window. It can be hard to drive a car or read, and they may become more sensitive to light. Cataracts develop slowly and cloud the lens of the eye over time.

They are the leading cause of vision loss in adults 55 and older. During the visual screening, we will review your symptoms and medical history, and perform a few specialized tests.

These Tests May Include:

Visual Acuity Test – You will be asked to read a line of letters on a chart or through a viewing device. The letters will get smaller the farther down you go. Your eyes will be tested one at a time by covering one eye, then the other. This vision screening test determines your vision at a given distance.

Slit Lamp Examination – A slit lamp is a microscope that uses a bright line of light, or a slit, to allow your doctor to examine the anatomy in the front part of your eye. This allows your eye doctor to look at your cornea, lens, iris, and the area between your cornea and iris.

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Factors that Increase Your Risk of Cataracts Include:

  • Age
  • Diabetes
  • Previous eye injury
  • Previous eye surgery
  • Extreme exposure to sunlight
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Use of certain medications
  • High blood pressure
  • Excessive alcohol use

A vision screening should be a part of everyone’s regular health routine. Undetected vision problems can lead to issues at work or school. Why take the risk? Do your eyes a favor and call us today to schedule your vision screening. In addition to offering innovative vision screenings to clients, our team of ophthalmologists offer other types of vision care solutions. Our doctors provide reliable vision treatments such as LASIK eye surgery, corneal transplants, blepharoplasty treatments, and refractive lens exchange surgery. Give our team of ophthalmologists and doctors a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to schedule an upcoming vision screening or treatment.

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5 Tips To Find Relief For Itchy Eyes & Allergies

5 Tips To Find Relief For Itchy Allergy Eyes

Types of Remedies For Itchy Eyes

If you’re suffering from eye allergies, you’re not alone.

An estimated 1 in 5 Americans deals with the annoyance of eye allergies, or ocular allergies also known as allergic conjunctivitis. While the symptoms caused by eye allergies can be bothersome, they almost never present a permanent threat to eyesight.

However, it’s important to note that itching, redness, burning sensations and puffiness can also be signs of infection. In cases of infection, see your doctor if the symptoms don’t improve with time or with treatment such as over-the-counter remedies.

If you think you may have eye allergies, here are some helpful tips on how to get relief from your red, itchy, and watery eyes.

5 Tips To Find Relief For Itchy Allergy Eyes

1.) Avoiding Allergens

Keep an eye on pollen count forecasts. If the count is going to be high, consider staying indoors. A remedy to combat itchy eyes is to replace the filters in your air conditioner and/or furnace. This will help trap allergens while creating a more comfortable environment.

2.) Resist the Temptation to Rub Itchy Eyes!

While rubbing itchy eyes may feel natural, the contact to the eyes will actually release more histamine and aggravate the symptoms. In other words, rubbing itchy eyes may make the problem worse.

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3.) Remove Your Contacts

Did you know that the surface of contact lenses can attract and accumulate airborne allergens? If you are looking for ways to find relief for itchy or irritated eyes, you may want to consider wearing glasses during the allergy season. Also, consider switching to disposable lenses. This way, your contacts aren’t accumulating allergens over a period of days.

5 Tips To Find Relief For Itchy Allergy Eyes

4.) Over-the-Counter Eye Drops

Your local pharmacy has many types of over-the-counter eye drops and remedies that may provide relief for your red, watery, and itchy eyes. This approach isn’t only convenient, but also budget friendly. Your doctor can help you find the best brand for your symptoms.

5.) Prescription Medications

If eye drops are not providing relief for moderate to severe, symptoms, it may be a good time to talk to your doctor about what prescription options are available.

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Eye Care Solutions

If you need assistance with a vision or eye problem, give our staff of ophthalmologists a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to book an appointment. We offer eye care solutions to clients such as LASIK eye surgery, glaucoma treatments, cataract surgery, macular degeneration treatments, and presbyopia surgery. Our staff is committed to offering new and innovative treatments to patients.

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How to Use Your HSA, FSA, & Insurance Benefits On Your Vision

How to Use Your HSA, FSA, & Insurance Benefits On Your Vision

Instead of waiting to improve your health, spend your HSA, FSA, and deductible on correcting your gift of vision and improve your health now. Investing in your health will help improve your life. While a majority of your goals may be related to your diet or exercise, it can be easy to forget how your vision impacts your health and quality of life.

Your eyesight is one of the most important biological assets in your possession, yet this gift is often the last on the list for scheduled maintenance. This is common because many insurance plans do not cover yearly eye exams, preventative diagnostics, and devices like glasses and contact lenses.

What is an HSA?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is an account that allows you to set aside money without taxation for preventative healthcare costs such as premiums, co-pays, and medical expenses not covered by your regular insurance or prescription plans.

Many patients use their HSA plans to pay for necessary annual preventative care such as dental exams, elective procedures, vision care, and corrective procedures.

What is an FSA?

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an account that you can create for various healthcare-related expenses, including your deductible. This account is non-taxable by the government and depending on your employer, they may match your monthly contribution to your FSA account or offer reimbursement for certain vision expenses associated with this account.

Ophthalmologist

FSA and HSA Compatible Expenses

When considering the best way to spend your end of year FSA and HSA balance, instead of paying for expected co-pays and deductibles, consider spending your balance on FSA approved vision expenses.

1. Eye Exams

Preventative eye exams are the key to diagnosing infections and progressive diseases, such as macular degeneration, which can cause irreversible blindness.

Despite these risks, some insurance plans do not cover annual eye exams. Treat your eyes well this winter and use your FSA and HSA balances to visit your ophthalmologist.

2. Eyeglasses and Contact Lens

Even if your annual eye exam is covered in your insurance plan, necessities like eyeglasses and corrective lenses are often only partially covered.

Correcting your vision is important to daily functions, and these necessary adaptive devices are included in the compatible expenses list for both FSA and HSA accounts.

3. Corrective Eye surgery

While many eye surgeries are classified as elective procedures and not covered under most insurance plans, procedures like eye surgery help many people see clearly and can make lasting improvements to your quality of life.

Rather than spending money on glasses and contact lenses each year, consider a one-time surgery that can correct your vision, so you will never have to purchase corrective devices again.

Ophthalmologist

Your Vision is Important – Don’t Wait

Regardless of your vision needs, if you have money in your FSA or HSA, now is the time to spend it! Invest in your health. Our team of ophthalmologists in Ann Arbor, MI and other areas offer various types of eye care solutions such as cataract eye surgery, macular degeneration treatments, LASIK eye surgery for hyperopia, retinal detachment surgery, and astigmatism treatments.  Our doctors provide treatments that can help you see better and ensure your eyes are healthy. We put our patients first. So, don’t wait, schedule your appointment today. Your vision may depend on it.

Top Eye Health Risks For Women & Vision Care Tips

Vision Issues

We are sharing eye health tips for women on ways to take good care of your eyes and lower your chances of developing moderate to severe vision issues.

Vision Health Risks for Women, Prevention and Care

Eye Diseases

Most women understand how crucial it is to visit the doctor regularly. However, many don’t realize this means having their eyes checked as well. It is important to visit an optometrist and doctor to preserve your vision health. Booking an appointment with an eye doctor will help you decrease your chances of developing severe vision impairments.

Since women are living longer than men, they are more susceptible to developing eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration. In addition, woman are susceptible to other types of vision issues such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.

Dry Eyes

As women age, specifically around menopause, they can experience hormonal imbalances which may lead to dry eye syndrome. Chronic dry eye is often left untreated in most aging adults, but women are 2-3 times more likely to be affected by it.

Vision Issues

Refractive Errors

In addition to the four major eye diseases, women are also more likely to encounter refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Refractive errors and eye health conditions can be treated with prescription glasses, contact lenses or LASIK eye surgery.

Visual Impairments and Blindness

The leading cause of vision impairment and blindness is primarily age-related eye diseases. As of 2012, the number of Americans with age-related eye diseases is expected to double in the next three decades.

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Impact of Other Health Conditions

Not only are women at greater risk for many eye diseases, they are also at risk for several health conditions that can affect vision. These include:

  • Diabetes – One in 10 American women over the age of 20 has diabetes. And, women who have experienced gestational diabetes have a 40-60% chance of developing diabetes in the next 5-10 years. (CDC)
  • Autoimmune Diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis and Sjögren’s
    • MS often causes temporary burning in the eyes, and sometimes vision loss
    • Sjögren’s dries out the moisture-producing glands in your body
  • Cancer
    • Some cancer treatments can lead to cataracts and dry eyes

Here are some tips for maintaining healthy eyesight.

Ophthalmologist

Eye Care Treatments & Solutions

Need to schedule your eye exam? Contact your local Specialty Eye Institute office today! Our team of optometrists and ophthalmologists offer various types of eye care solutions such as cataract eye surgery, glaucoma treatments, dry eye treatments, LASIK eye surgery, and refractive lens exchange treatments. Give our staff a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to book an appointment. Our team of ophthalmologists and doctors are committed to helping you preserve and improve your vision.

 

Why Should You Consider Traveling for Cataract Surgery

Reasons To Travel For Cataract Surgery

An estimated 60 percent of Americans will eventually develop cataracts.

Once a cataract has progressed to advanced stages, surgery will be needed to ease the symptoms and restore visual acuity. The cost of cataract surgery will be an important factor in deciding where and when to have the procedure done, among other factors.

In searching for the best facility for your eye surgery, it might be wise to look beyond your hometown and consider traveling to get a better experience with your corrective surgery.

Research & Technology

At Specialty Eye Institute, you can feel confident about the quality of eye care you will receive because our doctors are committed to research and clinical studies using the most advanced equipment available to allow for early detection of eye conditions.

By diagnosing eye conditions early, the doctors have the best chance of giving each patient a successful outcome in treatment.

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Traditional surgery to treat cataracts has been proven to be among the safest and most successful procedures in modern medicine. The popularity of laser cataract surgery has increased the degree of precision involved in performing certain critical steps of the procedure.

Types of Surgery & Lenses

Do you prefer a specific type of cataract surgery?

With the cutting-edge equipment and superior technology available at Specialty Eye Institute, our doctors will customize your surgery to give you the best possible results.

Traditional cataract surgery uses a no-stitch incision and is very safe and efficient and now with laser cataract surgery, Specialty Eye Institute can create incisions and potentially reduce astigmatism up to 10 times more precise than manual techniques for some portions of the cataract surgical procedure.

During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens will be removed and an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) will be inserted in its place. With the new, crystal clear lens, light rays will be able to penetrate to the retina and allow visual images to be sent to the brain.

A variety of lenses are available to choose from, and the type of lens used will affect the price and outcome of your surgery. And, certain lens options aren’t right for everyone so your doctor will help guide you to find the best option that fits your individual needs.

Different Lens Options:

  • Depth-of-Focus Lens
  • Toric Lens
  • Multifocal Lens
  • Monofocal Lens

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Cost, Insurance & Payment Plans

Most private insurance carriers and Medicare cover the costs of basic surgery for cataracts. There will be some out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays and deductibles. Costs will also vary depending on the type of lenses chosen for your surgery.

Specialty Eye Institute’s staff will work with you every step to give you the best possible care at the most affordable price.

Financing is also available to expedite your needed surgery. We offer the Alphaeon credit card to spread out your payments over time, with low monthly payments that fit your budget. Alphaeon offers you financing plans that might not be available with your current credit card companies.

Specialty Eye offers competitive pricing to help in your search for affordable eye surgery. We are committed to helping you preserve your eye health and can assist with arranging for discounts on hotel rooms to accommodate you during your surgical experience.

Combined with the technological advantages, cutting-edge equipment and some of the best doctors and medical staff to be found, traveling to Michigan for your cataract treatment could be one of the best decisions you have ever made!

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Why Specialty Eye Institute?

The highly qualified doctors at Specialty Eye Institute offer state-of-the-art technology and Board Certified Eye Surgeons to give you the optimal experience in traditional or laser cataract surgery.

Dr. Paul H. Ernest founded Specialty Eye Institute in Jackson, Michigan in 1978. The Institute currently has 10 locations in Michigan and Ohio, with more than 20 physicians on staff.

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