FAQS
Exam/Appointments
Q: At what age do you recommend a child have their first eye exam?
A: A child should have their first comprehensive eye exam with dilation around age three. If there is a family history of eye problems eighteen months is recommended.
Q: How long will my child have to wear glasses?
A: Glasses are given in children for different purposes. Some children will outgrow their need for glasses and some children’s refractive errors will continue to worsen as their eyeball grows.
Q: How can you tell if a child needs glasses if they can’t talk?
A: The doctor uses lenses and a special instrument called a retinoscope.
Q: Can you do the exam without dilating the eyes?
A: It is in the best interest of the patient to have their eyes dilated.
Q: How long will the eyes remain dilated?
A: It depends upon the type of drops used, however, usually 4-6 hrs. Some patients may stay dilated for as long as 24 hrs.
Q: How long should I plan on being there for the exam?
A: Patients coming for their dilated exam should plan on being here for 1 1/2hrs.
Q: At what age do you stop seeing patients for routine vision exams?
A: We see children until 5 years of age for routine eye exams, unless there are developmental issues or children that are non-verbal.
Q: What makes glasses prescriptions change?
A: As a child grows their eyes also grow and this affects the shape and size of their eyes.
Q: What determines the need for glasses?
A: The length and shape of the eyeball determines the need for eyeglasses.
Q: If I can’t see out of my child’s glasses how can they?
A: Everyone’s prescription is unique to the size and shape of their own eyeball.
Contact Lenses
Q: What is the recommended age for a child to try Contact Lenses?
A: There is no magic number. The decision is made according to patient motivation, patient responsibility in conjunction with parent/guardian
Q: If a patient is amblyopic can they wear Contact Lenses?
A: If the vision in the amblyopic eye meets certain criteria it would be acceptable for that patient to consider contact lenses. Contact Lens wear puts a patient at risk for certain complications (infection, injury) that are less likely with spectacle wear. Therefore, if the vision in the amblyopic eye is poor, we will advise against CL’s. In addition contact lenses cannot protect an eye from trauma.
Q: Why doesn’t an eyeglass prescription work for contact lenses?
A: The prescription needed for eyeglasses can be different from that of a contact lens prescription simply because the eyeglass lens is positioned a distance from the eye while a CL is resting on the front surface of the eye. Furthermore, when determining a CL prescription, the size and curvature of the contact lens must be matched to that of the patient’s eye.
Insurance
Q: Do you accept my insurance and will it cover my exam, surgery etc.?
A: There is a list of insurances that we participate with under the insurance section of this website. Because benefits differ according to employer or policy purchased and payment may depend on your diagnosis we are not able to tell you what your out of pocket costs will be. However, we can assist you in finding this information prior to your visit by calling our office with your insurance information.
Q: When do you use my medical insurance vs. my vision insurance?
A: Vision insurance covers vision diagnoses such as myopia (near sighted), hyperopia (far sighted) and astigmatism. Medical Insurance will be billed for medical diagnoses such as blocked tear ducts, crossed eyes, eye infections, cataracts, glaucoma, droopy eyelids, Amblyopia etc. It is important to bring all of your insurance cards with you just in case. The insurance used will depend on the reason for the visit/eye exam.
Q: Can you bill me for my copay?
A: We would prefer not to have to bill patients for their copays. It is more cost effective for both parties to pay at the time of service. However, we know that there are times when it is not possible. Exceptions will be made if the patient calls ahead of time.
Surgery
Q: Why can’t surgery be done to fix “lazy eye” (Amblyopia)?
A: Lazy eye or Amblyopia is a decrease in visual acuity caused by a misalignment of the eyes or caused by a difference in prescription of each eye. Straightening the eyes will not correct the vision problem but may allow the brain to use both eyes at the same time.
Q: Why do you use glasses instead of surgery to treat a “crossed eye”?
A: Patients with an esotropia or inward turn of the eye can respond fully to a hyperopic (farsighted) prescription and thus this type of patient may never need eye muscle surgery. Other patients partially respond to the farsighted prescription and these patients need glasses and surgery.
Q: At what hospitals does Dr. Nicholas Sala do surgery?
A: Dr. Nick Sala performs surgery at St Vincent Surgery Center, Village Surgery Center, and Hamot Surgery Center.