Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you accept payment?
We accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, checks, and cash. If we are a contracted provider with your insurance company, we will bill them directly.

How can I solve my billing queries?
Call us at (703) 323 4912 and we will solve all your billing queries.

Do you follow any privacy policy?
Yes. We respect your privacy, and that very much includes your personal health details. Please read our Patient Privacy document for more information.

How can I get a refill on my medication?
Contact your pharmacist to refill your prescription. He/She will then contact us to confirm the refill. It takes at least 2 business days to process a refill request. If you have not been to the clinic for a year or more, you will need to set up an appointment before refills are authorized. Also, for certain medications like antibiotics and narcotics, you will have to visit the clinic. In case you get your prescriptions through mail, you should carry the appropriate forms with you so that your physician can order your medications at the time of your visit.

Can I cancel my appointment, if required?
If you must cancel your appointment, please inform us at least 1 day before the appointment so that your appointment time can be allocated to another patient.

How long will I have to wait to receive my refund?
We try to refund credit on your account within 6 weeks of receiving your request. This is dependent upon our receiving payment from your insurance provider on outstanding claims. If you feel that a refund is due because you have overpaid a co-payment or deductible, you may still have to wait until we receive the insurance payment. This usually takes around two weeks after you receive the explanation of benefits.

LASER EYE SURGERY

Does insurance cover laser vision correction?
Most insurance companies do not cover laser eye surgery. This procedure is often deemed elective, and is not covered. However, we encourage you to check with your provider. It may be tax deductible depending on your filing status. For more details, please consult your accountant.

Is laser eye surgery permanent?
According to U.S. and internationally reported clinical trial results, laser treatment appears to be permanent. However, as people age, their eyes change and re-treatment may be required.

Can I go blind due to laser surgery?
Nobody has ever gone blind from laser surgery to the best of our knowledge.

What are the long-term side effects of laser eye surgery?
The advances in laser technology have made laser eye surgery precise, predictable, and safe. That is why the FDA recognizes laser vision correction as a safe and effective procedure.

Which technique is a better for me, PRK or LASIK?
Both procedures are extremely effective in correcting myopia, astigmatism, and hyperopia. We prefer to perform LASIK in most patients except in patients with thin corneas and corneal mapping irregularities. In most cases, we recommend LASIK over PRK due to its advantages. We will be glad to review and explain both procedures to you during your consultation.

How long does the laser eye surgery take?
Typically, the laser treatment time is under one minute. However, most patients will be in the laser room for about 15 minutes for the procedure. Total time spent on the day of surgery is about three hours.

How much time will I miss from work if I opt for laser eye surgery?
In case of LASIK, most patients return to work the next day. After a PRK/LASEK procedure, most patients return to work anywhere between 3-7 days after surgery. It may take a few weeks, however, for your vision to become as sharp as it was with glasses or contact lenses before the surgery.

Are there any activity restrictions after laser eye surgery?
Do not rub your eyes after surgery. Other than that, do whatever you’re comfortable with as long as you’re following your doctor’s instructions.

What if I move my head during laser eye surgery?
This is the question patients ask most frequently before undergoing laser eye surgery. The surgeon has full control over the ultraviolet beam to ensure that it stays on target. If a patient moves his or her head, the surgeon can instantly remove the beam, realign it and then proceed with the surgery safely.

REFRACTIVE ERRORS

What is a refractive error?
A refractive error is the most common eye problem that occurs when the shape of the eye becomes abnormal. In this condition, the eye doesn't refract (or bend) light properly and vision gets blurred.

What are the different types of refractive errors?
The four most common refractive errors are:

• Myopia, or nearsightedness, in which close objects look clear but distant objects appear blurred
• Hyperopia, or farsightedness, in which close objects (like the words on a page) appear blurred
• Astigmatism, in which both near and distant objects appear distorted or blurred
• Presbyopia, in which people (mostly around the age of 40) have to hold reading material farther away from the face to see it clearly

Can I be affected by more than one refractive error at the same time?
Yes. It is possible to have more than one refractive error at the same time. For example, you can have astigmatism in combination with myopia or hyperopia. What you should know, however, is that these conditions can deteriorate if left untreated and cause problems later on.

How is a refractive error treated?
A refractive error can be treated in several ways through:

• Eyeglasses or contact lenses that refocus light rays on the retina, thus compensating for the shape of your eye
• Refractive surgery to reshape the cornea (the front surface of your eye), thus adjusting your eye's focusing ability

CATARACT

What it is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. It is the most common (but treatable) age-related eye disease and cause of vision loss in older adults. It affects nearly 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older.

What causes cataract?

• Aging
• Family history (of cataracts)
• Medical problems like diabetes
• Eye injury
• Medications, especially steroids
• Radiation
• Long-term, unprotected exposure to sunlight
• Previous eye surgery

How is a cataract treated?
A cataract can only be treated (i.e. removed) through surgery. However, if the symptoms of cataract are such that they don’t bother you, surgery may not be required. A simple change of glasses may be helpful.

How safe is cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is a very safe and successful procedure. It improves vision in more than 95% of cases (unless there is a problem with the cornea, retina, optic nerve or other structures).

GLAUCOMA

What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a disease that causes gradual damage to the optic nerve due to fluid buildup in the eyeball. When glaucoma damages the optic nerve fibers, blind spots develop and eventually blindness may result if the entire nerve is destroyed.

Early treatment of glaucoma can often prevent loss of sight. As many as half the people who suffer from glaucoma don't know they have it until a significant amount of nerve damage has already occurred.

Can glaucoma treatment prevent vision loss?
Yes, glaucoma treatment can prevent further vision loss. However, damage already caused by glaucoma is irreversible. That’s why it’s important to get regular eye exams done.

How is glaucoma treated?
Treatment of glaucoma may include:

• Use of eye drops, taken daily
• Laser or conventional surgery, to help prevent further damage
• Oral medications in some cases may also be prescribed

What happens if the retina gets torn or detached?
When the retina is pulled away or detached from its normal position, it stops working, and this leads to blurry vision. If it cannot be reattached, the eye will continue to lose sight and ultimately become blind.

What are the symptoms of a detached or torn retina?
The common symptoms of a detached or torn retina include:

• Flashing lights and floaters
• Appearance of a veil or curtain in the periphery of your field of vision
• Sudden drop in the quality of vision

Although these symptoms do not always imply a retinal detachment, they should not be ignored or taken lightly.

How is a retinal tear or detachment treated?
Most retinal tears and detachments require surgery to return the retina to its proper position.

LOW VISION

What is low vision?
Low vision means loss of eyesight, and is different from normal changes due to aging. It makes everyday tasks difficult to accomplish. Even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery, you are unable to see clearly enough to perform everyday activities like reading, writing, shopping, driving, recognizing faces or crossing the street.

How is low vision treated?
Low vision patients can be assisted in a number of ways. These include:

• Optical low vision devices like magnifying glasses or lenses. Magnifying glasses are stronger than normal glasses and may help with reading or fine detail work. Other devices include hand magnifiers, telescopes and video magnifiers.
• Other helpful aids and devices include large-print books, newspapers, magazines, high-contrast; large-number telephones, thermostats, watches, remote controls; use of talking devices like watches, timers, books, blood pressure and blood sugar machines; and special reading software (screen reader), etc.
• Good lighting and glare reduction are also very useful.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration occurs when the macula (a small but important area in the back of the eye that ensures sharp and clear vision) degenerates, thus causing progressive loss of vision. Macular degeneration can cause sudden, severe loss of vision in the middle of your visual field and is a leading cause of blindness in the United States.

Can the effects of macular degeneration be reversed?
No, the effects of macular degeneration cannot be reversed. However, its impact can be reduced through timely treatment.

How is macular degeneration treated?
Treatments for macular degeneration include laser surgery, PDT/Visudyne, Macugen injection, Lucentis injection, Avastin injection and implantable medication.