eye exam question?

Question

i need to get a Rx for contact lenses. i don't have insurance. when i normally go for such an exam they do some tests such as the thing that blows air into your eye, and something where they put like a yellow die in your eye and such. can i tell them i don't want all those extra tests, that all i want is just what they have to do to give me a prescription, and save money? if so, what are those tests? the reason is because i don't have insurance, so even if they do a test and tell me my pressure is high there's nothing i can do about it anyway, so why test for something that can't be addressed. can i please have some guidance from a professional on this. is this a bad theory? and please list any credentials so i can "weigh" the value of your answer (although i thank everyone in advance for any answer and think they all have value, just different leves-even the sarcastic ones.)

thanks all. But like i said I HAVE NO INSURANCE PERIOD. NONE, NADA, NIEN, NIET, NO INSURANCE!!!! so, as i say, yea it's great to know if i have glaucoma, but there's NOTHING i can do about it so why would it be a good idea to pay to learn i have something that i can't do anything about. i knew that the average american has the attention span of a tsi tsi fly. i just didn't know it applied to when they read as well

"contacts are a luxury item that you are choosing to spend your money on"

Seeing is not a luxury to me. a pair of glasses costs more than contacts. although the frame lasts longer, the lenses have to be replaced every year, and are expensive. i can get a 1 year supply of contacts for less than $100

Answer 1

yes, you can request to not have those tests, but it will not change the cost of the exam.

plus some of this is the doc's liability...dont be surprised if they refuse to examine you for a Rx if you refuse those tests...they certainly have that right. just b/c you dont want those tests, the optometrist is still LIABLE for your ocular health, ya know. some of this isnt up to you. if you pay for an exam and get a Rx, the doc has the right to do whatever tests help them rule out disease so they are not liable. you have to see it from the other side sometimes...

Answer 2

You can opt to not have those tests done, but it will not affect the cost of the exam. Those are all parts of an eye exam; IMPORTANT parts. Those are the tests they do to check you for glaucoma. The puff test is for glaucoma and so are the yellow drops (usually Florox, if I'm not mistaken) Those numb your eyes for another type of glaucoma test. The dilation drops are NOT yellow, but those drops allow the doctor to see into the anterior portion of your eyes to check to make sure all is healthy back there.

Do you have medical insurance or do you not have vision insurance? If you are just without vision insurance and the doctor were to find something wrong, a medical diagnosis such as glaucoma WOULD be covered under your medical insurance - NOT the vision insurance. Vision insurace is just for exams, and post-refractive services (such as frames, lenses, contacts) Medical problems and eye diseases and treatments are covered under your medical insurance. So, if you have medical and not vision insurance, you should still definitely have the eye doctor perform those tests for you. It is very important that you keep the health of your eyes in check.

**Well, good luck to you then, coming to you from a professional on this with the attention span of a fly. Be more specific when asking questions then. A lot of people don't know that eye diseases are covered by their medical, not their vision insurance. Since you have NONE, NADA, NIEN...and you don't care about the health of your eyes, and you obviously cannot afford treatment for the health of your eyes, then why even bother going to the eye doctor at all? Why not just wear the same glasses you have until you die, or go blind from glaucoma??? If you have no inurance through your employer (assuming you have one) then you can apply for welfare beneits. Here in PA, we have Amerihealth Mercy, Gateway, Unison, Access - all FREE coverage to qualified people.

Funny, you said you "thank everyone in advance for any answer and think they ALL have value - even the sarcastic ones"...YOU'RE the sarcastic one.

Good luck with that.

Answer 3

If you dont' have insurance you can pay for the full tests. Please don't say you don't have any money to pay for further examination if a problem is found; contacts are a luxury item that you are choosing to spend your money on -- you could choose to spend money on your health instead.

Anyway, if you have had a full exam within the past 2 years, you may be able to ask for just a contact lens assessment exam.

Eye doctors are liable if they miss health problems and are legally expected to explain to patients why pressure testing etc is needed and to provide full care. You have the right to refuse extra testing and the doctor has the right to refuse to provide only a partial test if he thinks it is not in your best interest.

Answer 4

All these other little tests you describe are all part of a thorough eye exam- which also are an added value because not only do they help iwth the refraction, but also help find out other possible health issues with your eyes, not to mention some Eye Doctors are responsible enough to find and diagnose other health issues that manifest through your eyes. Like a previous answer, don't balk about all they do- it's in the best interest of your eye health!

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

I wear glasses and have been tested for contacts; they have to test, for blowing air in your eye. which is for Eye pressure and somehow can tell if you have high blood pressure. ???
Not sure how. The yellow stuff is for dialateing your eyes and
helps them see inside your eyes better. :~)

It will be ok. you may not be able to see very well after the dialation, have someone drive you home. Seriously!!!

Answer 7

all that you metioned is included in your office visit, try going to wal mart vision center its usually 60-75 dollars for the visit

Answer 8

Blasphemy!!!!