Apart from the green and white background, how many colors can you see?

It may look as if the two arms of the 'X' use different shades of pink, but in fact the whole X only uses a single color.

Explanation

Some of our services include:

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The Vision Service Plan (VSP) - In most cases, VSP will fully cover your eye health and vision exam. In some cases there may be a co-pay on the part of each patient. The co-pay must be paid at the time of service. The eyewear component of the Vision Service Plan contributes or subsidizes the purchase of your eyewear. Each specific Vision Service Plan subsidizes eyewear purchases at different levels. The Vision Service Plan is not an entitlement plan and patients are free to choose any frame or lens option recommended by their doctor. Our professional optical staff will be happy to determine if any out-of-pocket costs will be incurred by the patient.

Our practice fully participates in the Medicare program. We accept assignment of benefits on behalf of each eligible patient. The eye health examination is a fully covered service under the Medicare program. However, as mandated by Federal law, the refraction part of the vision section of your exam is a non-covered service. Each Medicare patient will be charged $36.00 for the refraction. This charge must be paid for at the time of service during your visit. Unless, immediately following cataract surgery, there is no longer an eyewear benefit under the Medicare program. The purchase of frames, lenses, lens options and coatings is the responsibility of each Medicare patient.

Hopefully, this information will give you a better idea of the vision benefit you are using today. Our insurance coordinator is available to answer any questions. Due to the large number of different Vision Insurance Benefit Programs, it is impossible to know the specific details and reimbursement policies of each. If our doctors do not participate in your Vision Benefit Program, we will be happy to provide you all the necessary forms and documentation for you to submit to the carrier for reimbursement.

We accept cash, personal checks and the following credit cards:

Discover, Master Card & Visa

Alert:

Did you know that 1 out of every 4 children suffer from vision problems that interfere with learning?

Your baby has a whole lifetime to see and learn. But did you know your baby also has to learn to see? As a parent, there are many things that you can do to help your baby's vision develop.

At about age six months, you should take your baby to your doctor of optometry for his or her first thorough eye examination. Things that the optometrist will test for include excessive or unequal amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism and eye movement ability as well as eye health problems. These problems are not common, but it is important to identify children who have them at this stage. Vision development and eye health problems can be more easily corrected if treatment is begun early.

Unless you notice a need, or your doctor of optometry advises you otherwise, your child's next examination should be around age three, and then again before he or she enters school.

During the first four months of life, your baby should begin to follow moving objects with the eyes and reach for things, first by chance and later more accurately, as hand-eye coordination and depth perception begin to develop.

To help, use a nightlight or other dim lamp in your baby's room; change the crib's position frequently and your child's position in it; keep reach-and-touch toys within your baby's focus, about eight to twelve inches; talk to your baby as you walk around the room; alternate right and left sides with each feeding; and hang a mobile above and outside the crib.

Between four and eight months, your baby should begin to turn from side to side and use his or her arms and legs. Eye movement and eye/body coordination skills should develop further and both eyes should focus equally.

Enable your baby to explore different shapes and textures with his or her fingers; give your baby the freedom to crawl and explore; hang objects across the crib; and play "patty cake" and "peek-a-boo" with your baby.

From eight to twelve months, your baby should be mobile now, crawling and pulling himself or herself up. He or she will begin to use both eyes together and judge distances and grasp and throw objects with greater precision. To support development don't encourage early walking - crawling is important in developing eye-hand-foot-body coordination; give your baby stacking and take-apart toys; and provide objects your baby can touch, hold and see at the same time.

From one to two years, your child's eye-hand coordination and depth perception will continue to develop and he or she will begin to understand abstract terms. Things you can do are encourage walking; provide building blocks, simple puzzles and balls; and provide opportunities to climb and explore indoors and out.

There are many other affectionate and loving ways in which you can aid your baby's vision development. Use your creativity and imagination. Ask your doctor of optometry to suggest other specific activities.

A good education for your child means good schools, good teachers and good vision. Your child's eyes are constantly in use in the classroom and at play. So when his or her vision is not functioning properly, learning and participation in recreational activities will suffer.

The basic vision skills needed for school use are:

• Near Vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably at 10-13 inches.


• Distance Vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably beyond arm's reach.


• Binocular coordination. The ability to use both eyes together.


• Eye movement skills. The ability to aim the eyes accurately, move them smoothly across a page and shift them quickly and accurately from one object to another.


• Focusing skills. The ability to keep both eyes accurately focused at the proper distance to see clearly and the change focus quickly.


• Peripheral awareness. The ability to be aware of things located to the side while looking straight ahead.


• Eye/hand coordination. The ability to use the eyes and hands together.

If any of these or other vision skills is lacking or does not functions properly, your child will have to work harder. This can lead to headaches, fatigue and other eyestrain problems. As a parent, be alert for symptoms that may indicate your child has a vision or visual processing problem. Be sure to tell your optometrist if you child frequently:

• Loses their place while reading


• Avoids close work


• Holds reading material closer than normal


• Tends to rub their eyes


• Has headaches


• Turns or tilts head to use one eye only


• Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing


• Uses finger to maintain place when reading


• Omits or confuses small words when reading


• Consistently performs below potential

Since vision changes can occur without you or your child noticing them, your child should visit the optometrist at least every two years, or more frequently, if specific problems or risk factors exist. If needed, the doctor can prescribe treatment including eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision therapy.

Remember, a school vision or pediatrician's screening is not a substitute for a thorough eye examination.

The important thing for parents and their children who wear contact lenses to remember is that contacts are prescribed medical devices. Contact lenses are not a cosmetic accessory. While the wearer may be happy about his or her new look, it's extremely important that the lenses be properly cleaned and worn according to the instruction of the optometrist.

Visit AllAboutVision.com for complete information on eyeglasses, contact lenses, LASIK & vision surgery, sunglasses, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, low vision, pink eye, and much more.

Visit AllAboutVision.com for complete information on eyeglasses, contact lenses, LASIK & vision surgery, sunglasses, macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, low vision, pink eye, and much more.