When it comes to your eye care, you must know what you are getting. You also should know what you actually need. Various terms are thrown around, including medical eye exams and routine vision exams. These two, in particular, might sound the same, but there are differences between them. Read on as we explain further below.
Apart from the fact that our eyes are complex organs, they also act as a window through which we can see other things happening in the body. Systematic conditions or diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer leave their mark in the eyes. Of course, they develop conditions and diseases that can lead to visual impairment or blindness. These include glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and corneal dystrophy.
The objective of medical eye exams is to evaluate, diagnose and produce a treatment plan for any of these aforementioned medical conditions. In the context of insurance, these types of examinations are usually covered by medical insurance plans, along with assessment for eye complaints or follow-ups on existing medical conditions.
Routine vision exams involve an optometrist visit to check one’s vision, screen for eye disease and/or update a prescription or visual aids of accessories. They also produce a final diagnosis, like farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia) or astigmatism. Unlike medical eye exams, routine vision exams are covered by vision insurance plans. Medicare, however, doesn’t pay for them.
One of the important aspects of routine vision exams is about finding the right prescription through a refraction test. Here, the patient wears special glasses with switchable lenses, allowing the eye doctor to find out which options are clearer.
Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry provides top-notch eye care services in the local area, including care and recovery following LASIK eye surgery and dry eye treatment. We serve residents in and around Alexandria, VA. Call (703) 660-9494, or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.