At DR. LANDRIO & ASSOCIATES, we strive to meet all of your eye and vision care needs. Corrective lens evaluations and prescription management are provided by our optometrists in Merrick. After a comprehensive eye and vision evaluation, the doctor will discuss the variety of contact lens options with you to select the type that best fits your vision needs and lifestyle.
Prior to prescribing contact lenses, the doctor determines what level of vision correction you require. Refractive error (commonly known as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism depending on the error) is evaluated by measuring how the eyes focus when a series of different lenses are placed in front of them. Our doctors may use either a phoropter or an automated instrument to take these measurements. To schedule an appointment for a vision evaluation with one of the doctors in our office, call 516-546-4800 today.
After determining the level of refractive error, we will work with you to determine whether contact lenses or glasses are best for your lifestyle. If you suffer from certain conditions, such as dry eye or allergies, glasses may be the most comfortable corrective solution. Contact lenses need to be changed daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on what type of lens the doctor recommends. Specialized contact lenses, such as multifocals (for those patients that need distance AND near correction), hybrids and sclerals are also available at our office.
Advances in contact lens technology have created great options for cosmetic and prosthetic lenses. Custom contact lenses can be created to camouflage any color variation or irregularity and produce a natural eye color. Cosmetic lenses are also available to transform your eye color. Call us at 516-546-4800 and speak to our knowledgeable staff if you are interested in modifying or changing your eye color with contact lenses.
This fee covers the extra tests performed by the doctor along with any necessary follow-up visits and trial lenses. These procedures are only done on patients that wear contacts; it is in addition to the services provided during the annual eye exam.
Why doesn’t my insurance cover that fee? Insurance companies view most contact lenses as elective vision correction and generally offer a discount towards the contact fitting fee. In rare occasions, insurance companies may consider contacts as medically necessary and cover a portion or all of a contact fitting, such as those for patients with conditions like keratoconus. Most insurance companies take the position that if your vision can be corrected with glasses, then contacts are not medically necessary and therefore are not covered as extensively as glasses and your annual eye exam. If you believe that should change, then we urge you to contact your insurance company and discuss the matter with them.
There are different levels of charges based on several factors. You may view a full list of our annual eye exam and contact lens fitting charges here. We are more than happy to discuss the full range of prices up front with any patient based on previous contact lens history and what the patient desires to use going forward. The doctor can only determine the exact level of the fitting after completing the exam, because that is when all of the patient’s needs have been assessed. Those factors include:
- The complexity of the fit: Many options for vision correction exist and have varying levels of complexity in order to determine the optimal Rx. These options include spherical lenses (what many patients are most familiar with), toric lenses for astigmatism, monovision, and bifocal lenses.
- Patient’s ocular health: The condition of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, and tear film all affect the optimal contact lens material, shape, and care. Even your general health and any conditions you might have can affect ocular health; these must be taken into consideration as well.
- History of previous eye surgeries or injuries: corneal irregularities or eye sensitivity can be brought on by eye surgeries or injuries. In these cases more care may be required in order to prevent irritation or complications.
- New patient vs. established patient: New patients require longer appointments, because there is more history to collect and options to discuss. Established patients pay a lower fee; our doctors have a previous knowledge of the patient and any conditions they might have, which makes the process quicker.