We regularly hear the following questions at Eye Care Associates of St. Louis. Read the sections below to learn more about eye health, contacts, and laser vision surgery. If you have more questions, do not hesitate to contact Eye Care Associates of St. Louis.

What is a routine eye exam?

A typical eye exam evaluates both your vision and the health of the tissues of the eye. The exam includes checking your glasses and/or contact lenses to determine your best possible vision. It also evaluates both the outer and inner eye structures. Your doctor will check for glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal diseases, including macular degeneration. Plan on having your pupils dilated on your first visit to Eye Care Associates.

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What is the difference between a routine vision exam and a medical eye exam?

For insurance purposes, eye examinations have been divided into routine vision and medical examinations:

A routine examination is performed when the patient has no on-going eye disease or symptoms. A comprehensive health exam is performed, and the vision is evaluated for any needed correction. Simple nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism usually fall under this category.

A medical examination occurs when a patient has symptoms of an eye disease or is being followed for a medical eye condition. This exam evaluates the reason for the symptoms and assesses any ongoing eye diseases or conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration. Office visits for red eyes, allergies, and trauma are usually considered medical eye exams.

Insurance coverage for eye exams varies. Some policies cover only routine exams while others only cover the exam if there is a medical diagnosis for a disease or condition. Most insurance covers medical eye exams. Be sure to check your policy so that you understand your coverage.

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Why does the doctor dilate my eyes?

Dilating the pupil is like opening the door of a room to look in rather than inspecting the room through a peephole. Dilation allows your doctor to view approximately 30-50 percent more of the interior portions of the eye. Periodic dilated examinations are an important preventive measure to assure not only good eye health but good overall health.

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What can I do to prevent eye disease?

Modifying your lifestyle will help preserve the health of your eyes. Stop smoking, take a good multivitamin daily, and protect your eyes from UV sunlight exposure. All three of these factors are thought to be associated with preventing two common eye diseases: cataracts and macular degeneration. Studies are showing that these behaviors link to other eye issues as well.

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What is 20/20 Vision?

20/20 vision is the term used to express normal visual acuity (sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/50 vision you have to be 20 feet from an object that a normal person can see at 50 feet.

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Who is a candidate for laser eye surgery?

Laser vision correction can be performed on 90% of patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Patients should be in good general health, have good eye health and a stable prescription. We will be happy to perform a free refractive screening to rule out any immediate contraindications. However, the only way to determine if you are truly a good candidate for surgery is through a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation that includes corneal mapping, WaveScan analysis, pupilometry, ultrasonic pachymetry, and a thorough, dilated eye examination.

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What is Wavefront or Custom® LASIK?

Both the terms Wavefront and Custom® LASIK refer to a specialized technique in LASIK. This technique involves using a computerized instrument to measure each patient’s unique refractive error.The result is a more precise delivery of the laser beam and better visual outcomes in the majority of patients. Custom® LASIK has proven to be a tremendous advance in our ability to provide the best possible visual outcomes for our patients.

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What is “All-Laser” or “Bladeless” LASIK?

In LASIK surgery, the critical first step in the LASIK procedure involves creating the corneal flap. The creation of this flap prepares the eye for the second step of the LASIK procedure, in which an excimer laser is used on the inner cornea to correct vision.

Previously these flaps were made with a hand-held bladed device called a microkeratome. Today, the nation’s leading LASIK surgeons prefer to create the corneal flap using the Intralase® laser. Clinical studies have shown that the Intralase® lowers the risk of flap complications by providing a safer, more predictable, and more precise technique. “All-Laser” LASIK is associated with better visual outcomes and less dryness after the surgery.

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I wear contact lenses. How do I keep my eyes healthy?

First of all, be sure to empty your storage case and refill it with fresh solution each night. Do not simply top off the existing solution. It is helpful to replace your case every three months. If you wear disposable contacts, be sure to follow the instructions regarding sleeping in contacts and how often you should switch to a new pair of contacts. And finally, come in for an eye exam once a year to check the fit of your lenses.

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Should I use no-rub solutions for my contacts?

No-rub solutions are great products. They have been proven to help disinfect contact lenses if the solution guidelines are followed. Unfortunately, small particles can accumulate on contact lenses that are best removed with digital cleaning. The same no-rub solutions can be used for this process.

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What should I bring to my first appointment at your office and how long will it take?

Please bring all current glasses and/or contact lenses with you to your appointment. If you have any unopened contact lenses, please bring those also so we can see the brand, size, and power of your current lenses. You will also need your completed new patient form, patient medical information form, and all current insurance cards. Please arrive 15 minutes early to process your form and insurance information. The exam itself will consist of approximately 15 minutes with an ophthalmic technician who will assess your vision, your health history, and refract each eye (the process of determining your best possible vision). Your examination with the doctor will take between 20-30 minutes and includes dilation of your eyes in all new patients. Your total time with us will be approximately 60 to 75 minutes. Future appointments usually take about 30 minutes total. Bring sunglasses to use after your dilation.

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Please contact us via our instant contact form for all questions and if you would like to set up a consultation with one of our doctors.






Eye Care Associates
of St. Louis
211 North Meramec Ave.
Suite #202
Clayton, Missouri 63105

Tel: (866) 572-9992
Fax: (314) 863-3570