For Patients

When making an appointment for your exam you may be asked whether you need a medical eye exam. These exams are specific to medical conditions (diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disorders, etc.) of your eye and do not include a refraction.

Nearsighted or Myopic individuals have their sight at near, with objects being blurry in the distance. Farsighted or hyperopic people have trouble seeing up close.

As we age the lens in our eyes begins to lose elasticity, which then affects our ability to accommodate. This is usually the point when we choose to get reading glasses, bifocals or progressive addition lenses.

Although this is a very common belief there is no evidence to support it.

We recommend that those under the age of 18 or contact lens wearers have annual eye exams. For healthy eyes over the age of 18 we recommend an eye exam every two years. You will want to consult with your doctor during your exam to get his/her recommendation based on your individual needs.

The word refraction means many things, including the way light passes through an object. Generally, when referring to an eye exam, it is defined as the series of tests done by your optometrist or ophthalmologist to help define your need for an eyeglass prescription. These exams are known as routine or eyeglass exams.

It is a vision condition that causes blurred vision due either to the irregular shape of the cornea, the clear front cover of the eye, or sometimes the curvature of the lens inside the eye. An irregular shaped cornea or lens prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, the light sensitive surface at the back of the eye. As a result, vision becomes blurred at any distance.

A progressive addition lens is one made without lines, and which provides the wearer with a smooth transition to a variety of distances. These lenses are good for distance, arms length and close work.

While all lenses pass ANSI standards in regards to safety, they are not considered safety lenses.

Yes. Please be sure to bring your insurance cards with you to your appointment.

Yes! Checking your insurance benefits before your exam is your responsibility.

Most insurances have a members website where you can check your benefits. If you have Vision Service Plan you will not receive an insurance card but can check benefits here.

To help you, we recommend you follow these steps:

1. Contact the health plan’s phone number on your insurance card.
2. If this is a medical visit, ask your health plan if a referral from your Primary Care Physician (PCP) is necessary. If so, please contact your PCP for a referral. Some PCP’s will not issue referrals to their patients after the visit, so it is important that you call first.
3. If this is a routine vision exam, ask the health plan if you have vision benefits.
   • How often are you eligible for a routine vision exam?
   • Do you have a co-pay?
   • Do you have benefits for glasses and contact lenses?
   • How often are you eligible for glasses and/or contacts?
   • What does your insurance pay toward frames, lenses and contact lenses?

Patients who see their eye doctor are sometimes seen using vision insurance benefits and sometimes seen using medical insurance benefits. Some patients have both types of insurance and others have only medical insurance.

Vision Insurance:

• You are interested in a complete eye examination
• Glasses
• Contacts

Medical Insurance:

• Your medical doctor has referred you for an examination
• You are having a medical problem with your eyes
• You have an infection or eye injury

You are responsible for obtaining necessary referrals for office visits. Our office will request referrals for any surgeries.

We contact your insurance as a courtesy at the time of the order. In return, we receive an estimated amount out of pocket quote. The remaining amount owing after insurance is patient responsibility.

We have a long history of health promotion at Eyecare Associates, beginning with our belief that lifestyle choices are the number one factor of preventable diseases and health related expenses.

Dr. John Lees continues to promote wellness at the state and local levels. He was the driving force behind Senate Bill 679, and has another bill which will be introduced to the House of Representatives during the next session. 

Purpose:
Create a Health Dividend (HD) that gives a financial reward to Oregonians participating in a worksite wellness program that promotes walking fitness, healthy eating, good weight control, tobacco cessation and a healthy lifestyle.

Rationale:
Poor lifestyle choices contribute to diseases and disabilities which have a major impact on health care costs. Changing lifestyles with financial incentives that educate, motivate and reward participants can increase productivity and significantly reduce health care costs.

Goal:
Pass HB (LC 828), a tax-free Oregon Health Dividend up to $1,000 a year.

An overview of a functioning employee-driven model.

Supervision of the Eyecare Associates Employee Wellness Program

• Wellness Committee consisting of 5-6 employees
• Wellness Coordinator
• Eyecare Associates Partners

Participating Employees

• Have an age-adjusted average or better walking time on a one-mile walk, or participate in an approved fitness program
• Have a healthy weight or participate in a weight loss program
• Participate in health and wellness talks during work lunch breaks
• Are non-tobacco users or are participating in an approved tobacco cessation Program

Dividend Checks

• Are awarded as cash to participating employees on the 15th of each month
• Are paid $60.00 a month (hopefully tax-free)

A-Z Diseases and Disorders
Good resource for general eye health information and diseases.

American Optometric Association
Information about eye conditions, written for patients.

InfantSEE
Information about the need for eye exams for babies.

BMI

Physical Activity

Nutrition

Smoking Cessation