CONTACT LENSES
What is a contact lens evaluation?
A contact lens evaluation is a separate part of the comprehensive eye examination and requires additional testing that patients who do not wear contact lenses do not need to have. Patients wearing contact lenses require more of the doctor’s time and expertise. Contact lens examinations and fittings have different levels of difficulty and depend on the types of contact lenses needed, the visual requirements of the patient, and the health of the patient’s eyes.
Why is the contact lens evaluation separate from the comprehensive eye examination fee?
Most insurance companies require doctors to separate routine comprehensive eye examination fees from any services performed due to contact lenses. More time and testing is required for a patient who wears contact lenses, therefore, most insurance companies treat contact lens services as an additional and separate evaluation.
What is a contact lens prescription?
Contact lenses are medical devices that can only be dispensed by a prescription. Contact lens prescriptions may expire after one year (or sooner if the doctor determines a medical reason for a shorter expiration date). Contact lenses must be regarded with the same caution you would use for prescription drugs, which includes prescription expiration dates and follow up visits with your eye doctor. Your contact lens prescription will include the power of your contact lenses, the type of contact lenses you wear, the shape (curvature) of the contact lenses, and any other information determined by the doctor to be necessary for proper contact lens fit. Dr. Vargas and Dr. Moran specialize in both hard and soft contact lenses, including bifocal contact lenses, and can evaluate if you or your family member are able to wear these specialized prescription lenses.
SPORTS EYEWEAR
Why can’t I wear my glasses for sports?
The results of a 2001 study by Prevent Blindness America show over 38,000 people experienced a sports related eye injury and needed emergency room treatment and, in some cases, even further attention. Some of the highest rates of eye injuries occur in children between the ages of 5 to 14. It’s also important to remember that even if an eye injury seems to be minor it may be serious and require immediate medical attention.
If you or your child plays a sport that requires a helmet or faceguard, don’t make the mistake of thinking your eyes are protected from injuries. Your eyes are still exposed to danger from sports equipment, foreign objects or an opponent’s fingers. Likewise, if you or your child wears glasses, everyday fashion eyewear is not held to the same protective standards as regulation eyewear products labeled as protective eyewear for sports use. The lens in your regular eyeglasses could easily pop out and puncture or cut the eye. A frame mangled from impact could also injure the eyes and ocular region of the face.
The good news is that you can help prevent yourself and your family from being sidelined because of a serious eye injury. You can make the decision to protect your eyes as well as the rest of your body by adding protective sport eyewear to your athletic equipment. Under most circumstances, at least 90% of sports-related eye injuries are preventable with the proper use of protective sports eyewear.
Dr. Vargas and his staff are committed to communicating and educating eyewear consumers on the performance differences between fashion eyeglasses and protective sports eyewear that is designed to prevent eye injuries and enhance an athletes’ performance in their particular sport. Whether your sport is baseball, basketball, football, or soccer, our office staff will provide you with sports eyewear options that will protect your eyes from injury and will also help improve athletic performance. Many sport eyewear options also exist for outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, cycling, and golf. During your next visit to Dr. Vargas’ office please ask how you can become the best athlete at your sport and properly protect your vision.
SAFETY EYEWEAR
How Do Safety Glasses and Goggles Differ From Regular Eyeglasses?
Why risk losing precious eyesight when wearing safety glasses or protective goggles can keep your eyes safe for a lifetime of good vision? According to Prevent Blindness America, each year more than 700,000 Americans injure their eyes at work, and another 125,000 injure their eyes at home.
Safety eyewear must conform to a higher standard of impact resistance than regular eyeglasses, which optical professionals sometimes call “dress eyewear.” This higher standard applies to both the lenses and the frames of safety glasses and goggles.
Safety glasses may have prescription lenses or non-prescription (plano) lenses. Regardless of their size or the durability of the frame and lenses, regular prescription eyeglasses do not qualify as safety glasses unless they meet specific criteria.
In the United States, the federal government through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes safety guidelines for workplaces, to decrease the risk of on-the-job injuries and oversees safety practices in the workplace and in educational settings.
Because experts say proper protective eyewear could prevent up to 90 percent of all eye injuries, you might want to learn more about safety glasses and goggles that suit your lifestyle best. Dr. Vargas and his staff can evaluate your needs for safety eyewear and determine the best options for both work and home or for outdoor activities such as hunting and motorcycle riding. Our office offers safety eyewear from several companies such as 3M Safety, On-Guard, and WileyX.
LASER SURGERY
What is Laser Surgery?
Laser Vision correction involves the use of a computer controlled laser to precisely reshape the cornea or surface of the eye in order for light to focus properly on the retina in much of the same way that glasses or contact lenses will.
LASIK (Laser Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis) is the most technologically advanced method used to reduce your dependency on glasses or contact lenses. LASIK can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and also astigmatism.
Dr. Vargas and Dr. Moran can evaluate your vision and discuss whether you are a candidate for LASIK surgery correction or other alternative procedures. For more information on LASIK surgery you can schedule a consultation with our doctors to discuss if you qualify for refractive surgery.
