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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve got questions and we’ve got the answers!

Whether this is your first time here or you’ve been a loyal patient, we are happy to provide information and answer any questions you may have. Here are the most common and frequently asked questions when it comes to your vision health.

COMMON EYE PROBLEMS

There are various eye infections with a multitude of causes. An untreated eye infection can lead to serious issues. If you feel you have an eye infection please contact our office immediately for an appointment.

Many of the causes for a sudden or dramatic change in your vision can be harmless, however, some instances can cause long term harm to your vision.If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fogginess, veils, curtains, flashes of light or floaters, please contact our office immediately for an appointment.

Nearsightedness (also called myopia) is a condition where objects up close appear clearly, while objects far away appear blurry.

Farsightedness (also called hyperopia) is a common type of refractive error where distant objects may be seen more clearly than objects that are near.

INSURANCE INFORMATION

We accept most major vision insurance including: Eye Med, VSP, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Medicare, UHC Vision, VCP, Eyequest, NVA, Advantica, Superior, and UFT. If you do not see your health plan on our insurance page, contact your local office and we will be happy to verify your coverage.

We will gladly file most major vision insurances for you.

If you don’t have insurance, don’t worry. We have programs like MyVisionPlan that make routine eye care quite affordable for the uninsured.

Everyone’s insurance plan is different. To verify what your insurance will cover, please call your local office. You will need to be prepared to give us some specific information in order to determine your insurance coverage, but it is not necessary to schedule an appointment first.

EYE EXAM INFORMATION

The optometrists at Elite Vision Care recommend that everyone over the age of five have a complete eye exam annually.

Our doctors recommend that every child have their first eye exam by an eye doctor before they start school. If parents notice vision problems before, make sure to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted doctors.

Children should have eye exams every 12 months.

We accept most major vision insurance plans and we will gladly file your insurance claim for you. If you don’t have insurance, Elite Vision Care offers other options like MyVisionPlan for uninsured patients.

A comprehensive eye exam consists of a series of tests to determine the health of your eyes, as well as your glasses prescription. A contact lens exam is additional testing to fit the patient in the best contact lenses for their eye and prescription.

The retina is the cellophane-thick layer in the back of the eye composed of rods and cones that is responsible for sending light images to the brain for processing what we experience as vision. Retinal photos allow your doctor to evaluate your retina the day of your exam and furthermore document its appearance for comparison at subsequent exams. This is crucial to maintaining good vision for life.

Dilation is not necessary for every patient, every year. However, this is largely dependent on the health of your eyes at the time of your visit.

Dilation usually affects near vision the most, leaving distance vision relatively unchanged. This means that with a good pair of sunglasses, most people are able to comfortably drive. If you are concerned about this, however, we suggest you bring someone with you to drive.

During a routine eye test, it is important to test your intraocular pressure, known as IOP, which measures your risk for several potentially blinding diseases, including glaucoma. This is done with an instrument known as a non-contact tonometer. This “puff of air” is an excellent way for patients to have this test, as it is quick and painless. We have other options for measurement, if patients prefer.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

We have offices throughout the country, including in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia.

Hours vary by location. Please find the Elite Vision Care nearest you to learn weekly hours.

If you are a new patient, you should arrive about 15 minutes early for your appointment. Returning patients should arrive 5 minutes ahead of your appointment.

For your eye exam, we ask that you plan to spend between one and one and a half hours with us in our office. This allows time for you to complete all the steps necessary for a comprehensive eye exam.

Because your glasses are customized to your unique prescription, payment is expected at the time you order your glasses.

Depending on the state, contact our offices for more information. We do recommend an annual examination.

In many states, a contact lens prescription expires after 12 months.

If you already have a valid current prescription, just bring a copy of that with you.

We value your time and therefore request that you schedule an appointment to see the doctor.

We are always glad to accept walk-in traffic for purchases or just to browse.

Yes, if the doctor has availability.

CONTACT LENSES

Contact lenses are a method of correcting vision. It actually comes into “contact” with the eye and changes the way that light is focused in the eye. Because contacts are a different distance from the eye than glasses, the prescription for contacts can be very different from that of glasses. This is one reason a separate contact lens evaluation is required.

No. A contact lens evaluation is a separate set of tests from an annual eye exam. This evaluation is a requirement every year for the issuing of a contact lens prescription, even if you have worn contacts previously.

The cost of a contact lens evaluation varies based on type of lenses that the doctor prescribes and the level of continued care needed. Because of variability of the nature of this, it is difficult to state your cost with certainty before the doctor evaluates your eyes. Please contact your local office for further information.

Because many insurances require us to separate out the cost of a contact lens evaluation from that of an eye exam.

Because most insurances cover either the cost of contacts or that of glasses, many consider the contact lens evaluation a part of the materials cost rather than part of the eye exam. If your insurance does not cover the cost of a contact lens evaluation, this can mean that your insurance chooses to view contact lenses in this manner.

Many people think that if they have tried contacts before without success they are unable to wear contacts. This is not always the case. There are a variety of contacts made from different materials. Those who are unsuccessful with one type may be more successful with another. In addition, there have been significant advancements in the contact lens industry over the past few years. New design and oxygen permeability have made contacts a viable option for many who once thought they could never wear contacts. Talk with your doctor about your choices at your next visit. You may be surprised!

Many people experience some difficulty when first trying contacts or when changing their prescription. Elite Vision Care wants to make sure that you are comfortable in the pair you and your doctor select. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the fit of your contacts, please call us. We will work with you to make any necessary changes.

If used properly, contact lenses are safe for your eyes. However, there are risks involved with contact lens wearers. The most common is the failure to comply with your maintenance plan (such as wearing your contact lenses too long, not cleaning them properly, etc.). Overuse of contacts can cause eye irritation or infections that can have long-term effects on your vision. Elite Vision Care urges you to follow all instructions carefully and to contact us immediately if you suspect a problem with your contact lenses.

RETURNS & WARRANTIES

Frames & Lenses – Elite Vision Care’s Extended Eyeglass Warranty offers pricing for a full year of coverage from the original purchase date.

We want you to be completely happy with your eyewear purchase! We will do everything we can to make sure your glasses are made correctly. If there are any problems, please let us know within 30 days of picking them up. We will be more than happy to remake your lenses to an equal or lesser value lens to accommodate your vision at no additional charge; however, no refund will be given for the cost difference.

As a part of our MyAnnualSupply Program, we offer free replacement of torn or lost disposable contact lenses.

Elite Vision Care can repair some frame breaks, depending on the nature and severity of the break. Please bring your frames into any of our locations, and we will evaluate the break and advise you of your options.

GLASSES

Most glasses will be completed within 7-10 days of the order being placed. Often it is sooner, if your prescription is single vision or your needs are less complicated.

We do offer same-day, while you wait, glasses from our Lab located at our Palm Beach Gardens office. Please contact (561) 355-8788 for more information.

Also called a “no-line bifocal” or “invisible bifocal,” a progressive lens allows for clear vision at multiple focal lengths, from near to far. Because of this, it is often the preferred form of lens for today’s multi-focal patients.

A Prism lens is corrective lens that fixes your double-vision. We specialize in custom Prism lenses at all of our locations.

A digital lens is one that is surfaced at multiple curves rather than the usual two. This allows for the most precise vision in a lens customized for your frame and prescription.

A polycarbonate lens is made of a lightweight material, yet is highly impact-resistant. This makes polycarbonate lenses a good choice for sports lenses and general wear for patients of all ages, especially children. Because of its resistance to chipping and cracking, it is also a good choice for rimless styles.