When most of us think about visiting the eye doctor, we picture the familiar routine: reading letters off a chart, learning about new lens technology, and maybe picking out some stylish new frames. This is what we call a routine eye exam, and it’s critical for keeping your vision sharp and your eyes healthy. But there’s another kind of eye exam that’s just as crucial, even though it’s not as well-known: a medical eye exam. In this blog post, we’ll discuss when each type of exam is necessary, what you can expect during these examinations, and how they differ in terms of insurance coverage.
What is a routine eye exam?
A routine eye exam is what most people think of when scheduling their annual check-ups. These exams focus on assessing your overall eye health and vision quality. During a routine exam at Baymeadows Vision Center, our experienced optometrist will:
- Check your visual acuity
- Perform a refraction test to determine your exact prescription
- Screen for common eye diseases
- Evaluate your overall eye health
Routine exams typically result in diagnoses related to vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. These are considered vision problems rather than medical conditions.
What is a medical eye exam?
Medical eye exams are more specialized and focus on diagnosing, treating, or monitoring eye conditions or symptoms. At Baymeadows Vision Center, we conduct medical eye exams when patients have specific eye concerns or require follow-up care for existing conditions. Some reasons for a medical eye exam include:
- Chronic eye pain
- Sudden changes in vision
- Eye infections
- Management of conditions like glaucoma or cataracts
Medical eye exams might lead to diagnoses such as conjunctivitis, glaucoma, or dry eye syndrome, which are considered medical conditions requiring specific treatment or ongoing management.
Insurance coverage for eye exams
Understanding insurance coverage for eye exams can be confusing, but it’s good to know what your plan covers. Generally, vision insurance covers routine eye exams and often provides discounts on eyewear and contact lenses. This type of insurance is designed to help maintain good vision and provide regular check-ups.
On the other hand, medical insurance usually covers medical eye exams, treatments for eye conditions, and follow-up visits for existing eye health issues. If you’re visiting an eye doctor for a specific eye problem or to manage an ongoing condition, your medical insurance will likely cover the visit.
It’s important to note that the type of exam you receive may change based on what your optometrist finds during the exam. For example, you might come in for a routine exam or because you need new glasses. However, if your eye doctor discovers signs of a medical condition, they may need to reclassify the exam or schedule a separate medical eye exam. This can affect how the visit is billed to your insurance, so it’s always a good idea to be prepared for this possibility.
Bottom line
By understanding the difference between routine and medical eye exams, you can better prepare for your visits and ensure you’re getting the right care for your eyes. Have you noticed vision changes, or has it been a while since your last exam? You can trust Baymeadows Vision Center for all your eye care needs, from basic vision checks to complex medical eye care. Contact us today to schedule your eye exam in Jacksonville, Florida.