New Cataract Measurement Technology

State-of-the-art technology for cataract surgery measurements is now available at The Eye Care Institute! We were the first ophthalmology practice in the Louisville area to obtain the Lenstar LS900 (Haag-Streit). This instrument uses the latest technology to perform the calculations your doctor will need in order to perform your cataract surgery. We use it in conjunction with immersion ultrasound to provide the most accurate measurements to calculate the power of the lens implant for cataract surgery.

The Lenstar uses light instead of ultrasound to measure the length of the eye. The patient looks into the instrument, and in less than two minutes, it takes multiple measurements of the surface and internal structures of the eye. There is no contact with the eye at all, therefore increasing the overall comfort experience.

With the advent of the advanced technology lens implants, including the ReSTOR and Toric lenses, it is crucial to have the most accurate preoperative measurements possible.  The Eye Care Institute is proud to be able to offer the Lenstar technology to help our patients achieve their vision goals.

Like Us on FaceBook and Help the Kids

The Eye Care Institute and our partners at the Louisville Bats Baseball Club are joining forces this summer to help raise money for Kosair Children's Hospital, and we need your help!

For every person who "Likes" our Facebook fan page, The Eye Care Institute will donate $2 to Kosair Children's Hospital.

With one click of your mouse you can give back, for FREE! Help us reach our goal of $10,000 by encouraging your co-workers, friends, and family members to participate, for the kids!

What is a refraction and why do we have to pay for it?

The image below is of a typical patient seated in front of a typical phoropter. This is the device we use to determine the prescription for your glasses – or part of your prescription for contact lenses.

This instrument determines your need for lenses to correct your refractive error, also referred to as your refraction, or your eyeglass prescription. This is the part of the exam where the doctor or other staff member flips various lenses inside the phoropter and asks questions like “Better 1 or Better 2?” We keep asking these questions until we have helped you achieve the best possible vision.

CMS, the department of the federal government that controls Medicare and Medicaid, has decided that refractions are not a payable part of an eye exam. This means you have to pay for that portion of the eye exam. As many private insurance carriers adopt the policies of the federal government, many of our contracts with private insurance carriers require us to collect the money from you, as well.

Reprinted from our January 2010 newsletter.