Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in individuals over the age of 65 in the USA. The macula is a small area in the back of the eye that is responsible for central vision and is used when one looks directly at a face, a book or television. AMD is a deterioration or breakdown of this macula area. AMD can cause distortion or loss of central vision, making it hard to do activities such as reading or recognizing a face. Symptoms of AMD may include blurred vision, wavy vision, dark or empty areas in central vision or a patient may not notice much change at all. Sometimes, only one eye is affected with the second eye continuing to see well.
Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
AMD can be classified as being “dry” or “wet.” Dry AMD is the most common form of macular degeneration. It is caused by aging changes of the macula that can lead to deposits of debris called “drusen” and/or thinning of retinal tissue called “geographic atrophy.” Vision loss with dry macular degeneration is usually very slow. Although there currently is no treatment for dry AMD taking high levels of antioxidant vitamins as determined through the AREDS study (age-related eye disease study) has been shown to slow the progression in certain individuals. Not smoking, wearing sunglasses, and eating a well-balanced diet rich in green leafy vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids is also helpful.
Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is considered “wet” if abnormal blood vessels start growing in the macula. These abnormal blood vessels can leak fluid or blood, resulting in decreased vision that may be severe. Fortunately, treatments exist that can stabilize vision and, in some individuals, improve vision in patients with wet AMD. Treatment options include pharmacotherapy (treatments with medicine), laser treatments, or rarely, surgery.The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Eye Institute is a well-recognized research institute. Our retina faculty physicians participate in many key national clinical trials for both dry and wet AMD that allow them to be on the forefront of ways to monitor and treat age-related macular degeneration.
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Understanding Your Vision and Medical Insurance
Routine Vision Exam
A routine vision exam usually covers:
- A vision screening
- An eye exam
- A refraction (the test used to determine your glasses prescription)
- A prescription for glasses
Contact Lenses
If you wear contact lenses, there may be an extra fee for a contact lens fitting. Coverage for this varies by plan, so please check with your vision insurance provider.
If a Medical Issue Is Found During Your Exam
During your eye exam, your doctor may identify a medical condition such as dry eye, an eye infection, diabetes-related changes, or another issue that requires medical care.
If this happens, your doctor may recommend one of the following options:
- Return for a separate medical visit.
- The medical visit would be billed to your medical insurance.
- Your routine vision exam would remain billed to your vision insurance.
- This is necessary because vision and medical insurance cannot both be billed on the same day.
- Address the medical issue during the current appointment.
- The current appointment would be billed to your medical insurance instead of your vision insurance.
- You would return another day for the routine vision exam, which would be billed to vision insurance.
- Please note that refraction (the test used to determine your glasses prescription) is not covered by medical insurance.
Your doctor will help you choose the option that best meets your individual care needs.
Questions About Costs
For an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost, please call Patient Financial Services at 414-777-0539. Please note, Medicare and most medical insurance plans do not cover refraction. The refraction service will be billed to you.
