Tag: PaulaTheOptician

Eye Wear Expectations, Eyecare Information

Ultimate Lens Package Promotion Ending January 31, 2019

I try to be brand neutral for the most part on my site.  I may tell you what brands I like and why, but I also respect there are a lot of different options and what is good for one optician or patient may not be as good for another patient.  I started to share this information just on my Facebook page but decided to put something on here as well.

If you are needing new glasses and can get to a location over the next week to take advantage of this, I highly recommend you do.

The Ultimate Lens Package promotion is ending January 31st. This promotion has been really good for us in the sense that it has helped a lot of our patients be able to purchase two pairs of glasses for an affordable price. It hasn’t been great from a business perspective, which may be why some locations didn’t really like it. It created more work for the opticians, as well as more time spent with the patient without a real fiscal gain. I loved it though because it truly benefited the patient.
 
Here’s how it worked……if you bought the qualifying items in your first set of glasses, you would get the second set of lenses completely free, you just had to pay for the frame. To help our patients out, we would still give them the second pair discount and give them 20% off their frame. 
 
There is a single vision option; Eyezen as well as a progressive (no line multifocal) option; Varilux X. It can be combined with insurance. Our VSP patients often took advantage of the promotion.
 
You do have to get Transitions lenses in the first pair. If you haven’t been a fan of transitions in the past, I would highly recommend the Graphite Green color.  Another option for single vision lens wearer is to go with a fun new color like Sapphire, just pick one that matches your frame colors. If you give the transitions a whirl for 30 days and determine you just don’t like them, because the promotion is sponsored by Essilor, you can have them remade in a clear pair as long as you let the office know in a reasonable amount of time. We generally said between 30-60 days to let us know.
The second pair can be another regular everyday pair with or without transitions, it can be an occupational pair, or a great sunglass complete with polarized lenses, including fun colors like Xperio UV lenses.  Occupational lenses, for those who don’t know, are designed for someone who spends a lot of time focused on the intermediate portion such as reading music or sitting at a desktop computer for long periods of time.  If you are doing that, make sure your optician does a modified version of the Varilux x for your occupational lens, not just do a single vision or even the Essilor computer.  We have the modified Varilux X is more comfortable, especially for those patients who sit and use multiple monitors at work.
 
It is ending soon so if you’re in the Kansas City Area you can come see me.  You’re also welcome to go see any essilor provider.  To locate an office near you, feel free to use the location finder to find a location this next week to help you. https://www.essilorusa.com/get-lenses/where-to-buy#/
Please note, while this may seem like an Essilor advertisement, it is not.  I am not getting any compensation for posting this post.  I’m doing it because I feel like it was a great promotion and it’s ending in a week so I wanted to make sure it was known it was ending.   If you are reading this AFTER the promotion ended, I know they have another promotion starting February 1st but it isn’t as great of a deal for the patient.  Always remember to ask your optician if there are any promotions you can take advantage of, especially if you are purchasing multiple pairs.
If you want to stay up on different optical solutions for the consumer / patient, follow me here or like my Facebook page:  @PaulaTheOptician

 

Eyecare Information

After Cataract Surgery; You have choices and benefits – PaulaTheOptician

Has your optometrist said you need to see an ophthalmologist for a cataract consult? I want to take a minute to break down your options as well Your eyeglass benefits.

Let’s start with the referral   Many times an optometrist refers you to a particular surgeon (Opthalmologist) for a reason, but it’s not always the best reason

Here are a few of the reasons….

1. They are friends with the surgeon.  While it’s not uncommon to recommend people to friends or family in many businesses, sometimes the friend isn’t the best option or might not be a great surgeon in general.  I know an optometrist who referred all of their cataract and lasik candidates to a friend who, in my opinion, had a lot of unhappy patients.

2.  The optometrist is getting a “kickback” from the surgeon for their referrals.  Again, doesn’t mean the surgeon is bad or the optometrist is just out to make extra money.  It’s a concern only if it’s the ONLY reason they are referring to the surgeon.

3.  The optometrist has looked at your individual situation and, after considering the many surgeons they refer to, feel there is one in particular best for you.  This is obviously the best reason a particular surgeon is recommended.

At the end of the day, I still suggest doing some homework on your end as well.  Ask your friends who have already had cataract surgery.  Look at the reviews (if there are any) online.  Understanding you have a choice in the ophthalmologist you see for any surgical needs, not just cataract surgery, is the first step to finding the right one for you.

About a month after your cataract surgery, either your ophthalmologist (or your optometrists) will do a final refraction to determine if you need any eyeglass correction or not.  There are a variety of options when you have cataract surgery now and depending on the options you choose, you may, or may not, need eyeglasses.  If you have Medicare, they will cover the cost of one pair of glasses following cataract surgery.

Here is how that breaks down.  They will cover $65 towards a frame.  Any optical location who bills Medicare for post cataract surgery glasses have to have some frames priced to be covered in full.  This doesn’t mean you will like the selection and you have the right to choose any frame you want, just be aware you will be responsible for any cost of the frame over $65.00.  Medicare will also cover the cost of single vision or lined bi-focal / tri-focal lenses.  Anything above and beyond the basic lens is at your cost.

Post cataract surgery will almost always leave you a little more sensitive to glare and sun so make sure you talk to your optician about a good quality anti reflective coating (no glare) and either a second pair of polarized sunglasses or a custom clip on so you have proper protection. They will cost you a little out of your pocket but your eyes will thank you.

Not everyone will bill Medicare for glasses after cataract surgery. Some places will only bill Medicare if they are your prescribing optometrist or the surgeon who performed the cataract surgery. If your optometrist does NOT bill Medicare for your eyeglass benefit, you are welcome to ask other optical locations. You do not have to fill your prescription at your optometrists office. You can even ask other private offices if they will accept your insurance. There are a lot of reasons offices won’t bill Medicare so don’t feel frustrated. If your surgeon’s office has an optical attached to it, ask them if they bill.

One thing to know is Medicare does not allow for any discounting of any additional items not covered by them. The office isn’t trying to charge you more. This is 100% a Medicare thing. You are always welcome to see if the office offers discounts and would you save more money using their discounts instead of billing Medicare. I know I’m always willing to calculate it both ways for a patient.

The most important thing to remember is you have options. Don’t be afraid to ask!

Have a great day everyone and see the world as clearly as you can! 🤓

If you liked this article and want to read more, please follow me on Facebook @PaulaTheOptician or subscribe to this blog.  You can find my other writing, not related to eye care and optical on my site:  HaliPawz  Where I enjoy writing reviews, ADA adventures with my mom, as well as just some humorous things that happen to me.