We all have a clear lens between the colored part of our eye and the retina (back of the eye) that allows light to focus on the retina so we are able to see. This clear lens gradually gets cloudy with age and exposure to the sun and eventually results in a cataract where our vision is affected due to the yellowing of the lens. If you have a cataract you will notice that your vision is blurry and you may have trouble with glare, especially when driving at night. There are many different reasons for blurred vision, so it is important to have yearly eye exams so that your optometrist can evaluate you and determine its cause. If you have a cataract which is significantly affecting your vision, then your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) for cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is done at a hospital or cataract clinic. You will be awake during cataract surgery but are given medication to numb your eyes and help you relax. It takes about 30 minutes for cataract surgery. A small incision is made in your eye and the cataract is broken up in small pieces with ultrasound, then removed through the incision. A clear implant will replace the cataract; however, most people will need some form of glasses after cataract surgery.

It is normal for your vision to be blurry for the first couple days after cataract surgery. Everyone will have some inflammation in their eyes after surgery, so it is important to follow up with your optometrist for visits after surgery to ensure your eye is healing properly. You will typically be seen one day after your surgery, 1 week after and then 1 month after. If you are having cataract surgery on both eyes, one eye will be done first and then your other eye will be done a couple weeks later. It takes about 1 month for your eyes to heal from the surgery. Once both eyes have had one month to heal, then glasses will be prescribed, if needed. As with any surgery, there is risk of infection or complications, but your vision should be better after surgery (unless you have a medical condition that is limiting your vision prior to cataract surgery). That said, everyone is different and end results vary by individual. If you have not had an eye exam this year, please make an appointment with your optometrist so we can make sure you are seeing your best this 2020 year.

Greetings to each of you from Professional Eyecare Centers. Today we will discuss COVID-19 and how you can minimize your risk of acquiring the virus from an ocular standpoint.

COVID-19 is a virus that is spread from respiratory droplets when people sneeze or cough. The virus can live on surfaces and thus is another mode of transmission. Symptoms may include fever, trouble breathing, coughing, and diarrhea which may not be present until 14 days after exposure to the virus (hence the 2 week isolation that is recommended by the Centers for Disease control (CDC) for people who may have been exposed to the virus). You can minimize your risk of acquiring COVID-19 by following the CDC recommendations below.

• Social distancing – remain 6 feet away from other people
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Do not gather in public areas.
• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for at least 30 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
• Clean surfaces often with a cleaning spray or wipe.
• Cover your cough/sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue.
• Throw away tissues after using them – do not re-use!
• Disinfect and discard contacts as directed by your eye doctor and stop contact lens use if you are sick or have a red eye.
• Do not touch your face, eyes, mouth
  • Conjunctivitis (irritation/infection of the white part of the eye) can be present in patients with COVID-19
  • Tears may be one mode of transmission for COVID-19

Professional Eyecare Centers is committed to following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Optometric Association (AOA) guidelines for eye care during this time. If you should have an ocular emergency, please do not hesitate to contact us at 701-252-5000. Please be assured that proper disinfection protocols will be followed should you have an ocular emergency and are seen in the clinic. We look forward to caring for you and your families.

New to Scleral Lenses? Professional Eyecare Centers knows the ins and outs to help make you a pro! View some of our online resources below:

• How to Insert & Remove Power Point
• Written Instructions to Care for Scleral Lenses
• Educational Videos
• More FAQ’s

• Dark spots in the center of your viewing area
• Change in color of the colored part of your eye
• Vision that suddenly becomes blurred or hazy
• Recurring pain in or around the eyes
• Difficulty adjusting to darkness
• Very dry, itchy or burning eyes
• Excessive tearing or watering
• Crusty, swollen or red eyes
• Loss of peripheral vision or double vision
If you have any of these warning signs, please contact us to set up an appointment.

At Professional Eyecare Centers, we offer a Guaranteed Contact Lens Success Program to educate our patients on the importance of proper contact lens care to maintain excellent eye health.

Ten Excellent Reasons to Buy Your Eyewear from Professional Eyecare Centers…

1. Frame Selection- We offer a huge selection of frames that you can actually try on, to see how you look and how the frame actually feels on your face.  Our opticians will help you find the perfect style, size and color in your price range. We carry well-known designer brands and also exclusive frame lines. We have frames that start out at $50.00 and we are happy to order additional colors and sizes for you to try on if you desire.
2. Quality- We offer the highest quality lenses and frames. We are professionals and partner with laboratories and vendors that provide us with the finest products. Online vendors often use inferior products, because it is hard for the consumer to tell the difference…at first.  We will help you understand the various lens options and features available. We want you to understand all your options and make the best decision for yourself.
3. Expert Staff- Our opticians perform precise measurements of your eyes and facial features which are used to place your eyeglass order. A PD measurement alone is not always enough to make a good pair of glasses.
4. Insurance- We accept most major vision plan insurances. Most on-line vendors and optical stores do not. If by chance we do not accept your insurance we offer in-house discounts.
5. Care Credit- In addition to accepting major credit cards, we accept Care Credit, which is a health care financing service. You can apply right in our office and choose a six month payment plan that has 0% interest.
6. Lens Options- We use labs with the latest technology in lenses and coatings. Some stores are using 20 year old technology. We offer many specialty lenses to fit your optical needs. Anti-fatigue lenses, office lenses and polarized just to name a few.  We also offer several lens coatings to keep your eyes and lenses protected.
7. Adjustments and Repairs- We offer free lifetime adjustments and repairs. Our expert opticians will professionally adjust and fit your glasses as often as you need for as long as you have them at no charge.  We replace screws and nose pads at no charge.
8. Verify your prescription- Our Doctors are available to review your prescription needs and recheck your vision if you have any difficulties with your new glasses (free of charge) and will make any adjustments if necessary. We want you to love your new glasses!
9. Warranty- We offer a 2-year, limited warranty at no extra charge on your frame purchase. Lenses purchases with an anti-reflective finish will have a 2-year, free replacement. Lenses without will have a 1-year, one time free replacement.
10. 30 Day Return Policy- After getting your glasses, if you decide that you don’t like the frame you may exchange it for any other frame. If new lenses are required, a small regrinding fee will be charged

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN PURCHASING EYEWEAR

WARRANTIES: Are the frames and lenses 100% warranted? If so, for how long? Does the warranty cost extra or is it included in the price of the eyewear? Will you be required to pay anything to replace your frames or lenses under warranty?

TRAINED CERTIFIED OPTICIANS: Certain prescriptions require certain frame styles and lens treatments for your eyewear to perform well and look great. Only trained opticians can guide you through this. Is the person assisting you qualified to do this?

PUTTING YOUR NEEDS FIRST: No optical dispensary can carry every frame. Will your opticians work to find a frame that fits well and is comfortable? Are they willing to order the exact frame that’s right for you? Or will they give you one that’s “close enough” because that’s what’s in stock?

HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS: Only high quality materials can be backed with a long warranty. Are the welds on the frame strong? Will the enamel on the frame flake off? Are the lenses first quality? That is, free of optical distortions, which can cause eye fatigue. Will your lenses be replaced if the scratch-resistant coating fails? Don’t be enticed by a low-appearing price.

At Professional Eyecare Centers, our goal is to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit that your insurance provides to you.
We take the extra step to verify your eligibility for you before you come in for your exam, to ensure that you receive the coverage and services that you are entitled to.

Our insurance specialist will take the time to explain your insurance benefits to you, submit your claim, and assist you in resolving any issues that may result with your insurance company.

When you arrive for your exam, please be prepared to show all current insurance cards that you carry. We will always take a copy of your medical insurance card as well as your vision insurance information, if you carry both. During an eye exam, the doctor may discover a medical condition that requires more testing, and this will usually be covered by your medical insurance. We will submit your medical claims as well as your vision claims for you.

COMMON INSURANCE TERMS AND WHAT THEY MEAN

Deductible: The deductible refers to the amount of money that the insured would need to pay before any benefits from the insurance policy can be used. This is usually a yearly amount so when the policy starts again, usually after a year, the deductible would be in effect again. Usually there are separate individual deductible amounts and total family deductible amounts.

Co-Insurance: This is usually a percentage amount that is the insured’s responsibility. A common co-insurance split is 80/20. This means that the insurance company will pay 80% of the procedure and the insured is required to pay the other 20%.

Co-Pay: The co-payment is a fixed amount that the insured is required to pay at the time of service. It is usually required for basic doctor visits and when purchasing prescription medications.

Out-of-Pocket: This is the cost one would pay out of their own pocket. An out of pocket expense can refer to how much the co-payment, coinsurance, or deductible is. Also, when the term annual out-of-pocket maximum is used, that is referring to how much the insured would have to pay for the whole year out of their pocket, excluding premiums.

Lifetime Maximum: This is the amount of money the health insurance policy will pay for the entire life. Individual and family lifetime maximums may be different.

Exclusions: Procedures that the insurance policy will not cover.

Coordination of benefits: If the insured has available two or more sources that would cover payment for certain conditions, such as being under a spouse’s insurance plan along with their own, the insurance company would not pay double benefits. In this case, the health insurance company would coordinate benefits to make sure each plan pays a portion of the service.

All insurance policies are not the same. Please check with your individual insurance company regarding the coverage that is specific to your own policy.