Frequently
Asked Questions

Regular eye exams are crucial for adults to maintain optimal vision and overall health. These exams detect and correct vision problems like nearsightedness and astigmatism early, preventing further deterioration. They also enable early detection and management of eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts, preserving vision and preventing irreversible damage. Additionally, eye exams provide insights into systemic health conditions like diabetes and hypertension. By monitoring changes over time, they ensure timely interventions and adjustments to corrective lenses, promoting comfort and visual clarity. Overall, prioritizing regular eye exams helps adults safeguard their vision and well-being effectively.

Having a retinal screening as part of your eye exam is crucial for early detection of eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. By examining the retina, eye care professionals can identify signs of these conditions before symptoms manifest, enabling timely intervention to preserve vision and prevent irreversible damage. Additionally, the retina provides insights into overall eye health and may reveal indications of systemic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Retinal screenings allow for personalized treatment plans and serve as a baseline for future comparisons, facilitating ongoing monitoring and management of eye health. Overall, incorporating retinal screenings into routine eye exams is essential for maintaining optimal vision and overall well-being.

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.

Nearsightedness also knowns as myopia is a common vision condition in which you can see objects near to you clearly, but objects farther away are blurry. It occurs when the shape of your eye causes light rays to bend (refract) incorrectly, focusing images in front of your retina instead of on your retina.

Farsightedness also known as hyperopia is a common vision condition in which you can see distant objects clearly, but objects nearby may be blurry. The degree of your farsightedness influences your focusing ability.

A prism bends light. Prism in glasses can kind of fool your eyes into thinking they are working together without strain. Prism can also help with double vision by aligning the two images into one. ... Some patients who require prism can wear contact lenses, and some can't.

An online eye exam typically focuses on measuring refractive error to determine a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, and it does not include a comprehensive evaluation of the overall health of your eyes. Unlike an in-person eye exam conducted by an eye care professional, an online exam cannot assess for conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or other serious eye diseases. These conditions require specialized diagnostic tests, such as dilated eye exams and tonometry, which are not possible through an online platform. Additionally, an in-person eye exam allows for direct observation of the eye's external and internal structures, enabling the detection of abnormalities or signs of disease that may not be apparent through an online assessment. Therefore, while online eye exams may be convenient for obtaining a prescription update, they should not be considered a substitute for regular, comprehensive eye exams performed by a qualified eye care professional to ensure the health and safety of your eyes.

Approximately 80% of the learning that takes place in your child’s first 12 years of life is vision related. Thus if your child is not seeing clearly, it may interfere with their ability to learn, can lead to low self-esteem, eye discomfort and put them at risk for long term vision loss. Experts say 5 percent-10 percent of preschoolers and 25 percent of school-aged children have vision problems.

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), Children then should receive an eye exam at 3 years of age, and just before they enter kindergarten or the first grade at about age 5 or 6.

For school-aged children, the AOA recommends an eye exam every two years if no vision correction is required. Children who need eyeglasses or contact lenses should be examined annually or according to their eye doctor’s recommendations.

According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, vision-screening methods detected only 40-65% of children with vision problems. Frequently, school screenings test only distance vision which may miss many of the conditions that could be found in a comprehensive eye exam.

Turning or tilting head or closing one eye Eyes that move independently of each other Losing place while reading Dislike/avoidance of close work Excessive blinking or rubbing eyes Omitting or repeating words Persistent reversal of words or letters Squinting Complaining of headaches after reading

Outside of the classroom, children spend much more time outside in the sun than their parents. This leaves them more susceptible to irreversible UV damage. We recommend lenses that block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays to protect your child’s eyes.

OCT is a safe, painless and non-invasive way to obtain a detailed image of the retina or optic nerve. Until the advent of this technology, doctors had no way to easily visualize the different layers of the retina on a microscopic level. Because of the amazing detail provided by the OCT, we now have the capability to make earlier and more accurate diagnoses. This leads to more timely treatment and better care for our patients. Images from the OCT allow for the early detection of glaucoma as well as monitoring for changes after the diagnosis of glaucoma has been made. It is also provides critical information when assessing retinal problems associated with diabetes and macular degeneration.

Sometimes a picture is truly worth a thousand words! Our office is equipped with the latest advancements in technology, including digital imaging. By taking a high-resolution digital photograph, we are able to show you exactly what we see when we look at your eye under high magnification. This photo documentation can be used for comparison at later exams.

A visual field test measures how much peripheral or side vision you have. This test will detect any loss of peripheral vision and provide a detailed map of the extent and depth of that loss, which is helpful in diagnosing diseases such as glaucoma or macular degeneration and in monitoring for drug toxicity caused by some common medications. It is also performed when a patient has unexplained visual disturbances or vision loss. In these cases, it may uncover a pituitary tumor or other disease process requiring prompt attention.

With Digital Refraction, we test how well you can see an eye chart using a giant pair of glasses called a phoropter. This is a test in which you are the only one who knows the answers. You will compare different lenses and tell the doctor which lenses provide clearer vision. The digital system offers detailed comparisons and at the touch of a button we can easily compare your old prescription lenses with the new ones. The doctor depends on your answers to get the Digital Refraction examination right. Sometimes it can be frustrating as it can be difficult to tell which lens gives you the clearest vision, but that is a sign we are getting really close to the ideal choice for you.

An online eye exam typically focuses on measuring refractive error to determine a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, and it does not include a comprehensive evaluation of the overall health of your eyes. Unlike an in-person eye exam conducted by an eye care professional, an online exam cannot assess for conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, or other serious eye diseases. These conditions require specialized diagnostic tests, such as dilated eye exams and tonometry, which are not possible through an online platform. Additionally, an in-person eye exam allows for direct observation of the eye's external and internal structures, enabling the detection of abnormalities or signs of disease that may not be apparent through an online assessment. Therefore, while online eye exams may be convenient for obtaining a prescription update, they should not be considered a substitute for regular, comprehensive eye exams performed by a qualified eye care professional to ensure the health and safety of your eyes.

Prescription glasses are custom-made to cater to the unique vision needs of each individual and are non-returnable. This is due to the precise measurements and specifications involved in crafting lenses that cannot be repurposed or resold to others. Our commitment to ensuring the accuracy and quality of prescription glasses necessitates meticulous craftsmanship and adherence to strict quality control measures. However, in the rare event that you encounter any issues with your eyewear, we are dedicated to working closely with you to address and resolve them promptly. Your satisfaction remains our top priority, and we strive to ensure that your eyewear meets and exceeds your expectations.

If you've purchased glasses elsewhere, whether online or at another clinic, and encounter visual issues with your new eyewear, rest assured, we're here to assist you. We'll start by verifying if the glasses were made according to the prescription our doctors provided. If adjustments, troubleshooting, and/or identifying inaccuracies in how the glasses were made are necessary, a $40 charge will be applied. This fee ensures personalized care and assurance that your glasses are properly adjusted for optimal visual performance. It also underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality eyecare services and ensuring patient satisfaction.

This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully. If you have any questions please contact our office. We are required by law to: § Maintain the privacy of your protected health information; § Give you this notice of our duties and privacy practices regarding health information about you; § Follow the terms of our notice that is currently in effect. HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION: Described as follows are the ways we may use and disclose health information that identifies you (Health Information, or PHI). Except for the following purposes, we will use and disclose Health Information only with your written permission. You may revoke such permission at any time by writing to us and stating that you wish to revoke permission you previously gave us. Treatment. We may use and disclose Health Information for your treatment and to provide you with treatment-related health care services. For example, we may disclose Health Information to doctors, nurses, technicians, or other personnel, including people outside our office, who are involved in your medical care and need the information to provide you with medical care. Payment. We may use and disclose Health Information so that we may bill and receive payment from you, an insurance company, or a third party for the treatment and services you received. For example, we may give your health plan information so that they will pay for your treatment. However, if you pay for your services yourself (e.g. out-of-pocket and without any third party contribution or billing), we will not disclose Health Information to a health plan if you instruct us to not do so. Health Care Operations. We may use and disclose Health Information for health care operation purposes. These uses and disclosures are necessary to make sure that all of our patients receive quality care and to operate and manage our office. For example, we may use and disclose information to make sure the care you receive is of the highest quality. Subject to the exception above if you pay for your care yourself, we also may share information with other entities that have a relationship with you (for example, your health plan) for their health care operations. Appointment Reminders, Treatment Alternatives and Health Related Benefits and Services. We may use and disclose Health Information to contact you and to remind you that you have an appointment with us. We also may use and disclose Health Information to tell you about treatment alternatives or health-related benefits and services that may be of interest to you. We will not, however, send you communications about health-related or non health-related products or services that are subsidized by a third party without your authorization. Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care. When appropriate, we may share Health Information with a person who is involved in your medical care or payment for your care, such as your family or a close friend. We also may notify your family about your location or general condition or disclose such information to an entity assisting in a disaster relief effort. Research. Under certain circumstances, we may use and disclose Health Information for research. For example, a research project may involve comparing the health of patients who received one treatment to those who received another, for the same condition. Before we use or disclose Health Information for research, the project will go through an approval process. Even without approval, we may permit researchers to look at records to help them identify patients who may be included in their research project or for other similar purposes, as long as they do not remove or take a copy of any Health Information. Fundraising and Marketing. Health Information may be used for fundraising communications, but you have the right to opt-out of receiving such communications. Except for the exceptions detailed above, uses and disclosures of Health Information for marketing purposes, as well as disclosures that constitute a sale of Health Information, require your authorization if we receive any financial remuneration from a third party in exchange for making the communication, and we must advise you that we are receiving remuneration. Other Uses. Other uses and disclosures of Health Information not contained in this Notice may be made only with your authorization. SPECIAL SITUATIONS: As Required by Law. We will disclose Health Information when required to do so by federal, state or local law. To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. We may use and disclose Health Information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person. Disclosures, however, will be made only to someone who may help prevent the threat. Business Associates. We may disclose Health Information to our business associates that perform functions on our behalf or provide us with services if the information is necessary for such functions or services. For example, we may use another company to perform billing services on our behalf. All of our business associates are obligated to protect the privacy of your information and are not allowed to use or disclose any information other than as specified in our contract. Organ and Tissue Donation. If you are an organ donor, we may use or release Health Information to organizations that handle organ procurement or other entities engaged in procurement; banking or transportation of organs, eyes, or tissues to facilitate organ, eye or tissue donation; and transplantation. Military and Veterans. If you are a member of the armed forces, we may release Health Information as required by military command authorities. We also may release Health Information to the appropriate foreign military authority if you are a member of a foreign military. Workers’ Compensation. We may release Health Information for workers’ compensation or similar programs. These programs provide benefits for work-related injuries or illness. Public Health Risks. We may disclose Health Information for public health activities. These activities generally include disclosures to prevent or control disease, injury or disability; report births and deaths; report child abuse or neglect; report reactions to medications or problems with products; notify people of recalls of products they may be using; a person who may have been exposed to a disease or may be at risk for contracting or spreading a disease or condition; and the appropriate government authority if we believe a patient has been the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. We will only make this disclosure if you agree or when required or authorized by law. Health Oversight Activities. We may disclose Health Information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include, for example, audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure. These activities are necessary for the government to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws. Lawsuits. If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, we may disclose Health Information in response to a court or administrative order. We also may disclose Health Information in response to a subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process by someone else involved in the dispute, but only if efforts have been made to tell you about the request or to obtain an order protecting the information requested. Law Enforcement. We may release Health Information if asked by a law enforcement official if the information is: (1) in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process; (2) limited information to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness, or missing person; (3) about the victim of a crime even if, under certain very limited circumstances, we are unable to obtain the person’s agreement; (4) about a death we believe may be the result of criminal conduct; (5) about criminal conduct on our premises; and (6) in an emergency to report a crime, the location of the crime or victims, or the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime. Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors. We may release Health Information to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We also may release Health Information to funeral directors as necessary for their duties. National Security and Intelligence Activities. We may release Health Information to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counter-intelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law. Protective Services for the President and Others. We may disclose Health Information to authorized federal officials so they may provide protection to the President, other authorized persons, or foreign heads of state, or to conduct special investigations. Inmates or Individuals in Custody. If you are an inmate of a correctional institution or under the custody of a law enforcement official, we may release Health Information to the correctional institution or law enforcement official. This release would be if necessary: (1) for the institution to provide you with health care; (2) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of others; or (3) the safety and security of the correctional institution. YOUR RIGHTS: You have the following rights regarding Health Information we have about you: Right to Inspect and Copy. You have a right to inspect and copy Health Information that may be used to make decisions about your care or payment for your care. This includes medical and billing records, other than psychotherapy notes. To inspect and copy this Health Information, you must make your request, in writing, to our office. Right to Amend. If you feel that Health Information we have is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. You have the right to request an amendment for as long as the information is kept by or for our office. To request an amendment, you must make your request, in writing, to our office. Right to an Accounting of Disclosures. You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we made of Health Information for purposes other than treatment, payment and health care operations or for which you provided written authorization. To request an accounting of disclosures, you must make your request, in writing, to our office. Right to Request Restrictions. You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the Health Information we use or disclose for treatment, payment, or health care operations. You also have the right to request a limit on the Health Information we disclose to someone involved in your care or the payment for your care, like a family member or friend. For example, you could ask that we not share information about a particular diagnosis or treatment with your spouse. To request a restriction, you must make your request, in writing, to our office. We are not required to agree to all such requests. If we agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you with emergency treatment. Right to Request Confidential Communication. You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that we only contact you by mail or at work. To request confidential communication, you must make your request, in writing, to our office. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted. We will accommodate reasonable requests. Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice. You have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive this notice electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy of this notice. You may obtain a copy of this notice in our office. To obtain a paper copy of this notice please request it in writing. Right to Electronic Records. You have the right to receive a copy of your electronic health records in electronic form. Right to Breach Notification. You have the right to be notified if there is a Breach of privacy such that your Health Information is disclosed or used improperly or in an unsecured way. CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE: We reserve the right to change this notice and make the new notice apply to Health Information we already have as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a copy of our current notice at our office. The notice will contain the effective date on the first page, in the top right-hand corner. COMPLAINTS: If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. All complaints must be made in writing. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

At St. Anthony Eye Clinic, we are committed to providing clear and fair billing processes. In compliance with the Minnesota Debt Fairness Act, we follow these steps when addressing unpaid balances: You receive an initial notification of balance due and a follow-up if not payment is made. If payment is not received, we will notify you before sending the account to collections. Medically necessary care will never be withheld due to unpaid bills. You have rights under Minnesota law, including protection during deb collection and the ability to dispute charges. For assistance or questions or questions, please contact us at 612-781-4730 or info@stanthonyeyeclinic.com