Low vision optometrists examine patients with severe vision loss, vision that cannot be corrected by traditional clinical means. Low vision optometry is a process of examination, determination of functional vision, and coordination between the optometrist and other low vision professionals including low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, occupational therapists and teachers of the visually impaired.
The American Optometric Association outlines the goals of low vision optometric care as the following:
- To evaluate the functional status of the eyes and the visual system
- To assess ocular health and related systemic health conditions and the impact of disease or abnormal conditions on visual functioning
- To provide appropriate optometric rehabilitation intervention to improve the patient’s visual functioning, taking into account the patient’s special vision demands, needs and adjustment to vision loss
- To counsel and educate patients regarding their visual impairment and ocular and related systemic health status, including recommendations for treatment, management and future care
- To provide appropriate referral for services that are outside the expertise of the optometric low vision clinician
Before discussing the solution, let’s discuss the problem. Visual impairment is defined by the American Optometric Association as "a functional limitation of the eyes or visual system." Visual impairments can result in significantly lowered vision, affecting a person’s ability to complete simple daily tasks such as reading, driving or finances.
Low vision rehabilitation is a collaborative, multidisciplinary process involving a low vision optometrist or ophthalmologist and a team of other low vision professionals including vision rehabilitation therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, occupational therapists and teachers of the visually impaired. The goal is to provide patients with maximum functionality through treatment and education. This increases independence, confidence and provides a higher quality of life. The patient’s low vision rehabilitation plan is individualized to meet each patient’s needs through clinical treatments and training in activities of daily living.
Because many causes of low vision cannot be cured or treated clinically, low vision rehabilitation is necessary to train patients how to use optical devices and other adaptive strategies to make the most of their remaining eyesight.
What to expect:
Patient History: Dr. Park will ask you for your medical and eye health history in addition to discussing your functional vision problems. Please be prepared to discuss how your vision loss is affecting your daily activities. This may include problems with reading, watching TV, mobility, playing cards, sewing, knitting, woodworking, or other social and recreational activities. Think about the things that you would like to see and do better.
Examination: Your appointment with Dr. Park will include a low vision examination. These appointments can last between one and two hours. The examination may include a visual acuity test, refraction test, ocular motility and binocular vision assessment, visual field assessment and/or an ocular health assessment. Additional testing beyond this may be necessary depending on your vision problems.
What to bring:
- Your eyeglasses and/or contacts and any adaptive aids (including magnifiers) you are currently using
- A list of the medications you are currently taking
- Your insurance information
How to pay:
We are committed to providing you with quality eye care. With that in mind, we have established guidelines for privacy, insurance, billing and payment procedures to better serve you.
♦ Privacy Policy
♦ Insurance
♦ Billing
♦ Payment Terms
We recognize that your health information is personal. We are committed to ensuring your private health information is protected.
Our services are covered by most insurance plans. If you have health insurance, we ask that you provide proof of insurance. We will make every attempt to verify your benefits before your scheduled visit.
If you have Medicare with secondary coverage our services will be covered in the same manner as other doctor visits. Due to your low vision eye condition we bill your visit as a medical condition opposed to a standard optometry visit. Generally, if you have met your deductible for the year, Medicare covers 80% and your secondary will cover the remainder of the visit. If you do not have Medicare with a secondary you will want to call your insurance company directly to make sure our services will be covered under your specific plan.
It is ultimately the patient’s responsibility to ensure services performed will be covered by their insurance plan. You will need to work directly with your primary care physician to obtain all appropriate referrals and authorizations.
Payment for services not covered by your insurance is your responsibility. If your insurance will not cover our services, financial assistance may be available. Please contact our staff to discuss other financial options.
Our billing representatives are committed to assisting you in resolving any billing questions and concerns you may have. Services provided by Dr. William Park and his staff will be submitted to your insurance company as a courtesy to you. Upon receipt of payment or denial of the claim, a bill will be sent to you indicating the amount you owe.
Prompt payment of the patient amount due is appreciated. On occasion, we may notify you and request your assistance when your insurance company has failed to respond to our requests for payment.
All co-pays, coinsurance, deductibles and past due balances are collected at the time of service. If you are unable to meet these financial obligations, please talk to our staff to make other arrangements.
Payments are accepted in the form of cash, check, Visa or MasterCard. Interest-free payment options may also apply with a signed financial agreement form.
Unpaid balances without satisfactory payment arrangements may be placed with an outside collection agency. A financial agreement must be established to avoid collection efforts.
Should you have a billing issue or concern that you are unable to resolve to your satisfaction, please contact the Office Manager at William L. Park, OD LLC at (316) 440-1690.
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William L. Park, OD, LLC is located on the second floor of the Envision office building at 610 N. Main, Wichita, KS 67203.
Dr. Park sees patients who have been referred by their optometrist, ophthalmologist or family physician. You can print off this consultation form and take it to your next appointment.