Most of the eye’s focusing power comes from the cornea, the clear saucer of tissue at the front of the eye. A normal cornea is round-shaped like half of a basketball-with the surface curving evenly in every direction. The even curve allows it to focus light sharply and produce clear vision.
Sometimes, however, the curve of the cornea is steeper in one direction than in another-more like half of a football. When the curve is not even, the cornea cannot focus light properly. This condition, known as astigmatism, can result in blurriness, distortion or ghost images around objects. It affects both close-up and distance vision.
In the United States, two-thirds of all people who suffer from nearsightedness (myopia) also have astigmatism. For most patients, astigmatism can be corrected with either glasses or contact lenses. Some people with astigmatism can improve their eyesight through refractive surgery.
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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.
