Low Vision Clinic FAQ
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Low Vision Clinic
Contents
- How is the New England Eye Low Vision Clinic at Perkins different than other clinics or doctors?
- Who Will Be There?
- What information should I bring to the appointment?
- How Much Does It Cost?
- Do you only see children?
- Can I buy magnifiers at your clinic?
- How long does an appointment last?
How is the New England Eye Low Vision Clinic at Perkins different than other clinics or doctors?
Our team of specialists can provide a wide range of eye care services that includes:
- “Modified” Comprehensive Eye Exam – This exam is very similar to a regular eye exam and includes; a review of medical/education/rehabilitation history, determines the need for spectacles, evaluates use of binocular vision, evaluates external and internal eye health (may include dilating drops). However, special charts and testing methods are used to provide a comfortable, understanding environment. A “Modified” Comprehensive Eye Exam is often needed when people have multiple impairments or communication/behavioral issues that make it difficult to receive a complete eye exam.
- Clinical Functional Vision Examination – This type of exam seeks to determine how a person uses their vision functionally throughout the day. It includes many components of a “Modified” Comprehensive Eye Exam but also looks at the need for optical/non-optical low vision devices and general recommendations for school and home. A Clinical Functional Vision Exam can often provide more information about their functional us of vision than has been included on a regular eye report particularly if “blind” or “untestable” is the only description of visual ability listed. This should be conducted whenever there is a change in visual behavior or at coordinated times with the education/rehabilitation team.
- Visual Field Examination - This highly specialized exam seeks to measure the peripheral visual fields (the area in which a person can see objects simultaneously) of an individual using a variety of instruments and techniques. A Visual Field Examination requires a comprehensive eye exam by an eye doctor within the last year.
Who Will Be There?
Because we use a collaborative approach to the exam and are a teaching clinic for New England Eye Institute, you will meet several professionals during your visit. We encourage any or all of the patient’s education or rehabilitation team to attend an examination. This would include parents, classroom teachers, teachers of the visually impaired, orientation and mobility specialists, or other special service providers. When you arrive you will probably be greeted by our secretary or clinic coordinator.
What information should I bring to the appointment?
Preparing for Your Appointment
If this is your first time to our clinic we will need to have copies of all previous eye exams, any other educational/medical evaluations that have been conducted such as:
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Orientation and Mobility
- Learning Media Assessment
- Community-based Functional Vision Assessment
- Neuropsych Exam
How much does it cost?
- We can bill most medical insurance plans. However, we do not provide a “routine” eye exam. Therefore, you must request a referral from your child’s Pediatrician or Primary Care Physician (PCP). Check with your insurance company.
- If our service is not covered by your medical insurance, then we will require payment at the time of your appointment. The cost of an annual exam is $185.00 and then $85.00 for each follow-up appointment within the year.
- Sometimes, school systems will pay for the exam. If this is the case, we must have a letter from the school with the payment amount and billing information.
Do you only see children?
Our speciality is working with individuals of all ages with vision loss and multiple impairments, however we can provide exams for people of all ages with or without a visual impairment.
Can I buy magnifiers at your clinic?
Yes, as long as you have a doctor's recommendation or prescription. We don't have a store, but we can help you order a specific device and then have it sent directly to your home.
How long does an appointment last?
Usually we like to allow 1 ½ hours for a full examination, but it doesn't always take this long. Having plenty of time for people to become comfortable in a new place, or for families and teachers to ask plenty of questions is important to us.
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