LOW VISION CARE MAY BE YOUR ANSWER

     You are not alone.  Almost 12 million Americans cannot see properly, even with the best available eyeglasses or contact lenses.  Many individuals lose their ability to carry out daily living activities.  All too often, with loss of vision, comes loss of driving and independence.  Although the loss of your clear eyesight is a very real problem, we do not want you to feel frustrated, helpless or depressed.  Many visually impaired persons are able to resume their daily activities, drive, and maintain their independence as a result of Gottlieb Vision Group's Center for Specialty Care Low Vision Services.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN LOW VISION CARE?

     Low vision care begins with a thorough eye health evaluation by one of our staff doctors.  This exam is to provide important baseline data and determine the need for low vision care.  The second step is to schedule an appointment for a low vision evaluation.

     During the low vision evaluation your response to a variety of low vision devices will be explored.  We may recommend high powered reading glasses called microscopes and/or distance viewing devices called telescopes.  Special filters, increasing contrast and safety while reducing disabling glare, will also be shown to you.

     We believe that the key to success is the training in the use of your prescribed low vision devices by the low vision staff.  The more complex your needs, such as driving with telescopic devices, the greater the training required.

WILL INSURANCE COVER LOW VISION CARE?

     Many major insurance policies will cover low vision care and often will reimburse patients for low vision devices.  Medicare does now cover some low vision diagnostic medical office visit services for certain specific medical diagnosis.  Although a small portion of your first consult might be covered by Medicare, the low vision refractive portion of the initial visit, low vision devices and any additional diagnostic or treatment/training services are considered "non-covered" services by Medicare.  Our staff and doctors will explain covered and non-covered services.  Office policy requires patients be responsible for their bill at the time services are rendered.