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.

Understanding High Index Lenses

If you have a high power in your prescription lenses, then you may be familiar with high index lenses. For some of us it is a must to keep our lenses from being, dare I say, “Coke Bottle Glasses.” You probably don’t know how they work or you may have never heard of them.

The “index” in high index lenses refers to the index of refraction of the material used to make the lenses. The index of refraction, as it pertains to your lenses, is the measure of how much light has slowed as it passes through you lenses. The speed of light is 186,000 miles per second. In a 1.67 high index lens, light has slowed to 167,000 miles per second.

Normal plastic lenses, referred to in the optical industry as CR39, have an index of 1.49. The plastic in 1.67 high index lenses is denser than in CR39 lenses. The higher density of the high index lenses is what makes them thinner than CR39.

Whether you are farsighted, nearsighted or have astigmatism and your prescription makes your lenses thick, you can benefit from high index lenses. Cosmetically, high index lenses look better, but they are also lighter. This will improve the comfort of your glasses. More frame options become available when using thinner lenses as some frames cannot accommodate thicker lenses.

The skilled opticians at The Eye Care Institute will inform you whenever high index lenses will benefit you. High index is available in most lens styles, so there should be one that is just right for you.

Louisville’s Butchertown Book Signing At The Eye Care Institute

The Eye Care Institute is pleased to host a book signing of Louisville’s Butchertown by local author Edna Kubala. The event will be held the evening of February 16, 2010 from 6 pm to 9 pm in our Story Avenue lobby. Kubala, who resides on Story Avenue, selected images from the University of Louisville Archives, church archives, and private collections for this work.

Published by Arcadia Publishing the book depicts, in part “…Butchertown is a fascinating mix of architectural styles, businesses, and history. The neighborhood is named for the early Louisville butchers who found the area's strategic location on Beargrass Creek and its proximity to the Frankfort and Shelbyville turnpikes ideal for their operations….”

The Eye Care Institute invites all of our friends and everyone interested in local history to this event. The event is free and open to the public. Complimentary cocktails and appetizers will be served.