Patient Resources
If you have questions about your appointment, check out information about what insurances we accept as well. You can also print and fill out our patient forms before you come to save time. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call.
Insurance
We are Medicare providers. We are contracted with most medical insurance companies. We are, however, not contracted with any vision plans.
As a courtesy we are happy to bill vision plans for our patients.
Patient Forms
Pocatello Eye Care provides our patients with office forms or your convenience. We recommend you print and fill these forms.
Take a minute to complete our patient satisfaction survery!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is an opaque condition of the lens of the eye or of its cover. Cataracts are painless, but debilitating, because they render the eye incapable of being penetrated by light, leading to blindness. Spectacle changes can usually correct the vision during the early stages, but surgery may become necessary.
Who is at risk for Cataracts?
Senile cataract is the most common form that usually occurs in people over 50 years of age. Beginning in the form of dark streaks or as spots in any portion, it eventually makes the entire lens opaque. As the fluid of the lens is absorbed, the lens becomes easily separated from its capsule and is considered mature, or “ripe” for operation. Later, if not extracted, the lens undergoes degenerative changes, or liquefies, and the capsule becomes thickened and opaque, making the results of operation less satisfactory.
What is the treatment for Cataracts?
The only method of relieving senile cataract is extraction of the lens. Sight can be restored in most instances by wearing special eyeglasses or contact lenses or by a surgeon implanting an artificial lens in the affected eye.
Is blindness from Diabetes preventable?
Blindness resulting from diabetic complications is nearly always preventable with proper intervention and treatment! The American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommend yearly eye exams for people with diabetes.
What is an Intraocular Lens (IOL)?
An intraocular lens, commonly referred to as an IOL, is an artificial lens that is implanted into the eye to replace the natural lens when a
cataract is removed. Figure 1, below, shows the basic parts of the human eye with an implanted IOL. In general, lOLs have two basic features. The optic portion is the round part of the IOL that focuses an image onto the back of your eye. Two arm-like structures called haptics are attached to the edge of the optic. The haptics help to maintain the location of the IOL in the eye.
What is Contrast Sensitivity?
Contrast sensitivity, an important measure of visual function, is the ability to distinguish objects from their background, especially in dim lighting. In the Vivity clinical study, contrast sensitivity in dim lighting was reduced in patients who received the AcrySof IQ Vivity IOL compared to those who received the Monofocal IOL.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma refers to a group of diseases that have in common a characteristic optic nerve disease and associated visual field loss. Elevated pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure) is the most common risk factor for developing glaucoma. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United State with more than 2 million Americans are currently afflicted with this potentially blinding disorder.
How is Glaucoma diagnosed?
A complete dilated eye exam is essential to detect and treat glaucoma. Once glaucoma is suspected, a formal visual field test with an automated device called a perimeter should be performed.
How is Glaucoma treated?
Treatment of glaucoma usually begins with topical eye drops, but if poorly controlled, may require laser surgery or advanced glaucoma surgery to lower the eye pressure.
What is Diabetes and how does it affect the eye?
Diabetes Mellitus is a disease caused by defective carbohydrate metabolism and is due to an inability of the pancreas to secrete sufficient insulin to maintain a normal blood-glucose concentration. Diabetes mellitus affects about 16 million people in the United States, and is the #1 cause of blindness in the United States, due to the fact fact elevated blood-glucose concentrations can lead to potentially blinding conditions.
What is a Corneal Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a focusing error in the eye that results in blurred distance and/or near vision. In a normal eye, the cornea has a round shape (like a basketball); therefore, the light rays entering the eye focus at a single point on the back of the eye (retina) to form a clear image. In an eye with corneal astigmatism, the cornea has an oblong shape (like an American football). As a result, the light rays do not focus at the same point on the retina and parts of an object may not appear clear. During your eye examination, your eye doctor will be able to tell you if you have corneal astigmatism.
What is the effect of Astigmatism remaining after Cataract Surgery?
A toric IOL corrects astigmatism only when it is placed in the correct position in the eye. Some patients may have some level of astigmatism remaining after IOL placement, especially if they had a lot of astigmatism before surgery. There is also a possibility that the toric IOL could be placed incorrectly or could move within the eye. As with any toric IOL that provides an extended range of vision, if the lens is not positioned correctly in your eye, or if the amount of astigmatism to be corrected is calculated incorrectly:
• You may experience poor vision.
• You may need to wear glasses to see clearly at all distances.
• You may need additional surgery to reposition or replace the IOL.