1.Why do I need an annual eye exam?

2. Do your doctors treat eye infections?

3. What is LASIK?

4. Will Look Optical accept my insurance?

5. What is 20/20 visual acuity?

6. When should a child have his or her first eye exam?

7. Why can't I read small print?

8. Can anyone wear contact lenses?

9. Do my spectacle lenses have to be so thick?

10. Are there bifocal contact lenses?

11. Do I have to wear lined bifocals to read?

12. What are cataracts?

13. What is glaucoma?

14. What are flashers and floaters?

15. Do you accept outside prescriptions?

1. Why do I need an annual eye exam?

Along with determining the proper prescription for eyeglasses and the proper fit and prescription for contact lenses, the doctor will evaluate the overall health of your eyes, how well your eyes work together, and determine if other health concerns might exist. The eye doctor will also check for glaucoma, cataracts, and the presence of other conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Eye disease and disorders often occur without obvious symptoms. Early detection and assessing the right eyewear is essential for proper care and maintaining optimal vision. Because contact lenses are considered a medical device, the State of Colorado requires an annual examination for contact lens wearers; however, prescriptions for glasses may be filled up to two years at the discretion of your examining optometrist.

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2. Do your doctors treat eye infections?

Yes optometrists are able to diagnose and treat many medical conditions of the eye. Pink eye, corneal abrasions, foreign bodies and eye injuries are among the most common problems treated by the doctors in our office.

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3. What is LASIK

LASIK - How The Laser Works

LASIK is the most advanced method of changing the shape of the cornea to improve the way light is focused by the eye. The new LASIK procedure features increased comfort and faster recovery time to better vision compared with an alternate procedure known as PRK. Most people experience very little or no discomfort and return to normal activities within a day or two.

First a thin layer of cornea called a "cap" is lifted by a laser cut across the cornea. Then high energy pulses from the laser reshape the cornea with a high level of accuracy. By adjusting the pattern of the laser beam it is possible to treat high levels of near sightedness and moderate levels of farsightedness and astigmatism. The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes.
The First Step The first step is to determine whether you are a candidate for the LASIK procedure. Please call one of our offices or 1-888-425-Look to schedule an appointment for a LASIK consultation, and to find out more about the benefits of refractive surgery.

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4. Will Look Optical accept my insurance?

Look Optical is a participating provider for most of the insurance plans offered by area employers. These are some of the insurances we acecpt. If your insurance is note listed below, please contact our office so that we can check to see if we accept your plan.

We will also accept any plan that allows the patient to go out of their network. We will be happy to research the details of your plan and authorize your benefits. In most cases we can submit the insurance claims for our patients. If we are unable to submit the claim for you we will provide you with the necessary documentation to submit the claim yourself.

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5. What is 20/20 visual acuity?

20/20 simply means that a person can read a standard size letter at a standard testing distance of 20 feet. This commonly used notation is called Snellen Acuity. In other words, 20/60 means that what should be seen at 60 feet away requires the patient to move up to 20 feet away to be able to see the same letter.

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6. When should a child have his or her first eye exam?

Early detection and treatment of vision problems may help a child reach his or her full potential. School vision screenings are limited and may fail to detect problems. Just reading an eye chart is not enough. Your family eye doctor is the most reliable source of vision care for your children. We recommend eye examinations for children beginning at the age of four for routine eye care, earlier if you notice that your child is having any visual problems. Our offices are equipped with specialized equipment to aid the doctor in determining your child’s vision needs.

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7. Why can't I read small print?

The ability to focus on reading and objects within 16" to 20" decreases with age. The eye's focusing system includes a muscle that controls the tension on fibers attached to the lens inside the eye. The shape of the lens changes when these muscles contract. Age affects the entire system. Starting at about age 40, the ability to focus becomes reduced and is further reduced until age 70. This is why many people require reading glasses or bifocals at about 40 years of age. The power of the reading glasses or bifocal prescription gradually increases over time.

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8. Can anyone wear contacts lenses?

Virtually anyone can wear contact lenses. Today, contact lenses fit nearly every patient and lifestyle. Even patients requiring bifocal or toric lenses can wear the new advanced lenses. However, patients with dry eye syndrome, chronic allergies, or corneal disorders may not be ideal candidates for contact lenses. Additionally, certain medications may affect a person's ability to wear contact lenses. Our doctors will be happy to discuss your contact lens options with you.

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9. Do my spectacle lenses have to be so thick?

Certainly not! Today's spectacle lenses are available in a variety of materials, most of which are designed to reduce thickness and weight. Thickness, of course, is relative to the strength of your prescription. An eye care professional will help you choose the most advantageous lens material. At Look Optical we offer all the latest in state of the art lens materials, one of which is just right for you.

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10. Are there bifocal contact lenses?

Yes, there are many options now available for contact lens wearers who require a reading prescription in both gas permeable and soft bifocal contacts. There are many factors in determining weather bifocal contacts are right for you. Our doctors will be happy to discuss your contact lens options with you.

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11. Do I have to wear lined bifocals to read?

Lined bifocals are only one of many options available to people who require additional prescription power for reading. Lined bifocals have two focal lengths, distance (10 feet and beyond), and near (generally 12-18 inches), and there is a noticeable line differentiating these two areas. The modern spectacle alternative to traditional lined bifocals are progressive lenses, or no-line bifocals. As the name indicates, the additional prescription power for reading becomes progressively stronger from the top of the lens to the bottom. This allows for the proper prescription power at every focal length between distance and near. As a result, Progressives provide the most natural vision of any multi-focal lens without the line associated with traditional bifocals. Other alternatives to bifocal eyewear are contact lenses, either mono-vision or multi-focal contacts.

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12. What are cataracts?

Cataracts usually develop gradually and without pain as the lens in the eye loses transparency and the lens material yellows. The result is a gradual loss of brightness and a slight skewing of color perception that usually goes unnoticed.

Cataracts are the leading cause of visual disability in people over 65. Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful medical procedures in the world today.

An annual vision exam is very important for older adults to detect this common eye disease. Our doctors will discuss treatment options, should you be diagnosed.

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13. What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma occurs when there is too much fluid pressure in the eye, causing eye damage and potential blindness. Although glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, it can be prevented if the disease is detected and treated in time.Unfortunately, glaucoma seldom produces early symptoms, and usually there is no pain from increased pressure. Side or peripheral vision loss occurs as the disease progresses, although frontal vision remains clear.Who is most likely to get glaucoma? Anyone can get it, but there are some people who are at a higher risk. They include:· African-Americans over the age of 40.· Everyone over the age of 60.· People with a family history of glaucoma

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14. What are flashers and floaters?

The flashers and floaters you see may be harmless, but they may also be a sign of important health issues. Any flashing or visual disturbance that lasts more than thirty minutes is considered an emergency and requires immediate attention. Besides, it is always best to consult your eye doctor, because visual disturbances may indicate a potentially serious problem.

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15. Do you accept outside prescriptions?

Yes, we will gladly fill a current prescription from any outside doctor's office. If necessary we will contact your doctor's office and ask that your records be transferred to Look Optical at your request.

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