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What can I expect at my first visit?
Please bring your current eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, a complete list of your medications, and both your medical and vision insurance information. You will be asked to fill out a patient information form with a brief medical history, and copies will be made of your insurance cards. An Optometric Assistant will perform several tests and measurements to gather information for the doctor. Then the doctor will make a thorough examination of the external structures and functions of your eyes and will evaluate your vision and need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. At this point, drops will be instilled to dilate your pupils and, if new glasses are recommended, you may select frame and lens options at this time. Once your pupils are sufficiently dilated, the doctor will complete your examination with a thorough inspection of the internal structure of your eyes. When you schedule an appointment, plan on being in our office for about one hour.
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Why do you dilate my eyes?
During most examinations, your pupils will be dilated to facilitate a thorough examination of the interior of your eyes. Dilating the pupils is like opening a door all the way to allow the widest possible field of vision inside. An Optometric Assistant will instill a numbing drop in each eye, followed by one or two dilating drops. It typically takes 15-30 minutes for the pupils to fully dilate, at which point the doctor will complete your examination. Temporary side effects of dilation include a decreased ability to focus on near work and an increased sensitivity to light. Most people are otherwise able to function normally. Typically, you can expect the effects of dilation to last for three to six hours. We will give you a pair of sunglasses for your increased light sensitivity, or you may bring your own.
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What vision insurances do you accept?
We currently participate with the following vision insurances:
- Davis Vision (for Alcoa employees only)
- EyeMed (Access plans only)
- VSP
- Blue Cross / Blue Shield Vision
- Superior Vision
- Set Seg
- Delta Vision
- ASR
- Cofinity
- Medicaid (Molina, Priority Medicaid, Great Lakes Health Plan and Health Plan of Michigan)
- MI-Child (Heritage Vision)
You can use your Health Spending Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds for our services as well. New insurances are always under consideration. If you don’t see yours listed, please call and ask us about it!
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Why are you billing my medical insurance?
Many people have both vision and medical insurance. Vision insurance is used for routine evaluations of your vision and for eyeglasses and contact lenses. If there is a medical issue or diagnosis, we will be billing your medical insurance for your eye examination. If you are diabetic, have developing cataracts, are being monitored as a glaucoma suspect or are being treated for glaucoma, have macular degeneration or any other retinal pathology, we will bill your medical insurance. Many of the symptoms you report to us would be considered to be medical issues:
- headaches
- floaters or flashes of light
- dryness or watering of the eyes
- current injuries to the eye
- following high risk medication such as Prednisone, Plaquenil, Cordarone, or Amiodarone
Frequently, additional testing may be indicated, for instance visual field testing or ophthalmic photos. These will be billed to your medical insurance when appropriate.
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What if I want or need surgery?
For our patients who require cataract surgery, we routinely make referrals to the doctors at Shoreline Vision in Muskegon and Riemer Eye Center in Ludington. For retinal concerns, we most often refer patients to Associated Retinal Consultants in Muskegon. For our LASIK patients, we make referrals to The Laser Center (TLC) in Lansing or Kalamazoo, as well as Shoreline Vision.
For our cataract and LASIK patients, we will co-manage your post-operative care at our office(s).
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