Frequently asked Questions
How much is an exam?
We offer vision exams starting at $109. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health conditions that affect the health of your eye, your eye exam will be covered under your medical insurance.
How much are glasses?
We have packages that start at $99 and come with a great warranty. We also have several super sales a year that offer frames at half off, lenses for $29, and even complete pairs for $69. Watch our facebook page for these pop up specials!
Do you take my insurance?
We take every insurance that we see available to patients in the Treasure Valley area. Many insurances add different plans every year and it's necessary for us to contract with each plan. If you are moving to a new plan, please give us a call so we can get the ball rolling to be in network with your plan. We will do our best to check your benefits and eligibility prior to your visit, but not all insurances provide us with that information. While our locations are in Oregon, we take all Idaho and Oregon insurances.
What is a astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common vision condition that causes blurred vision. It occurs when the cornea (the clear front cover of the eye) is irregularly shaped or sometimes because of the curvature of the lens inside the eye. An irregularly shaped cornea or lens prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye. As a result, vision becomes blurred at any distance. This can lead to eye discomfort and headaches. The specific cause of astigmatism is unknown. It can be hereditary and is usually present from birth. It can decrease or increase over time.
How do infants have eye exams?
Have you ever seen an infant with glasses and wondered how in the world the eye doctor managed to figure out that prescription? And how did the parents know that the infant needed to be examined in the first place? This is an excellent question since most babies and small children cannot answer which is better; one or two? The doctor uses an instrument called a retinoscope to reflect a beam of light off the back of the eye. Lenses are placed in front of the eyes to determine what power is needed to focus the reflected light. This lens power approximates how much nearsightedness(myopia), farsightedness(hyperopia), and/or astigmatism is present. The amount of refractive error is then compared to developmental norms and to the patient’s or parents subjective complaints. If necessary, a prescription for glasses or contact lenses can be written from this information. An eye and vision assessment is an important step in making sure your baby is learning to see properly.The doctors at Family Eye Center recommend scheduling baby’s first eye exam at 6 months.At Family Eye Center, we offer a one-time, no cost eye and vision assessment for babies 6 to 12 months old. Schedule an exam with Dr. Judson or Dr. Edmunds, our pediatric providers. Learn more about children's vision here
Why do I have to have my eyes dilated and some patients don't?
Dilation isn’t always required. Are you in good health, under 40 and wondering if you need vision correction? You may not need a dilated exam this time, but know that you should have one at least every few years and more frequently as you get older. If it’s your very first eye exam, it’s a good idea to go with dilation for a baseline exam. If you have new, worrisome eye symptoms, a family history of eye disease, or vision problems, then eye dilation may be necessary to make a diagnosis. We dilate young children because they have a greater capacity to accommodate and to allow the doctor to use an objective measure to confirm their prescription if they’re not very cooperative. A thorough, dilated exam allows your doctor to do a complete exam of the retina, and that is important to do throughout your life, as several eye diseases and conditions are detected at their earliest stages during a thorough eye exam:
Diabetes
Eye Tumors
High Blood Pressure
Infectious Diseases
Macular Degeneration
Retinal Detachment
Glaucoma
The risk of disease increases with age, especially for patients over 40, so dilation is important to check for any early symptoms.
Why does 40 seem to be the age that most people notice their vision getting worse?
Beginning in the early to mid-40s, many adults may start to have problems seeing clearly at close distances, especially when reading and working on the computer. This is among the most common problems adults develop between ages 41 to 60. This normal change in the eye's focusing ability, called presbyopia, will continue to progress over time. Initially, you may need to hold reading materials farther away to see them clearly. Or you may need to remove your glasses to see better up close. Print in the newspaper or on a restaurant menu may appear blurred, especially under dim lighting. If you already wear prescription glasses or contact lenses to see clearly in the distance, these changes in your near vision can be corrected by switching to bifocal or multifocal lenses. Fortunately, people with presbyopia now have many options to improve their vision. Adults over 40 who have the following health or work issues may be particularly at risk for developing eye and vision problems:
· Chronic, systemic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
· A family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration.
· A highly visually demanding job or work in an eye-hazardous occupation.
· Health conditions related to high cholesterol, thyroid, anxiety or depression, and arthritis for which you take medications. Many medications, even antihistamines, have vision side effects.
Presbyopia can't be prevented or cured, but most people should be able to regain clear, comfortable near vision for all of their lifestyle needs.
Why is it important to wear sunglasses?
We never forget sunscreen, why would we not protect our eyes as well? Sun exposure is the cause of many eye diseases and accelerates the aging of the eye. Again, you've seen what it does to skin ~ it has the same effect on your eye. Be sure your sunglasses come with a 100% UV sticker. The color and degree of darkness sunglasses provide have nothing to do with the sunglasses' ability to block UV rays. Always opt for wraparound sunglasses or close-fitting sunglasses with wide lenses that protect your eyes from every angle. Learn more about our lens options here