Because the outside of the eye is in direct contact with the environment, it is susceptible to infections and injuries. There are also a number of hereditary diseases that can impact the outer eye. The major signs of external eye disease are redness that does not improve with treatment and poor vision not explained by retina problems.
Pink Eye
One common external eye condition is conjunctivitis (usually called "pink eye"), an infection marked by red, itchy eyes and tearing. Pink eye can be caused by cold viruses, allergic reactions or bacteria. Other common conditions include inflammation of the sclera (the tough outer layer of the eye) and inflammation of the cornea caused by a skin disease known as rosacea.
Corneal Abrasion
A common eye injury is corneal abrasion, or damage to the thin outer layer of the cornea often caused by scratches from twigs, fingernails or contact lenses. Symptoms include a burning sensation and the feeling of having “something in your eye." Corneal abrasion can also cause blurred vision. Treatments include ointments, drops and patching, and most abrasions heal within a day or two.
Cornea Abnormalities
Cornea abnormalities include keratoconus, which literally means “cone-shaped cornea." This protruding of the cornea causes distorted vision. It usually appears in the late teens or early 20s, progresses slowly and then stops after a decade or two. For some patients, vision can be improved with corrective glasses or rigid contact lenses. About one-fifth of all patients with keratoconus will require a corneal transplant-for information, read about the Eye Institute’s Cornea/External Eye Disease Service.
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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.
