Cheapo eye care

[screamingflea]

My vision has gotten increasingly wonky over the past month or so - random blurriness, painful shifting of focus, sensitivity to bright colors. My doc referred me to an opthamologist in her practice, but it's $230. Medicare finds it more convenient to hold off coverage until after their clients go blind and without a diagnosis I fall under the category of "routine eye exam."

So I've been shopping around, naturally. It seems like there are two tiers of eye care - practices charge around $100, or $200 and up. Is there really a difference in the quality of the exam? I always take it for granted that when I go to any kind of doctor they'll give me a casual glance and then blow me off - I may as well pay $70 for that at Sears as $230 from a real practitioner.

[Susan]

With the symptoms you are describing, I would most certainly go to an opthamologist. It is a much more thorough exam and they can prescsribe any medicines you may need. An optometrist cannot prescribe and usually does not do as thorough of an exam, mostly just the basics and glasses/contact fittings. Shop around for opthamologists.

[janharker]

I have very good experiences at university dental schools. Seems to me the eye doctor schools might also be good. And really fair in pricing.

[Yppej]

My area has a mobile van for the blind to check their eyes, and occasionally they will see someone not legally blind also. It might be worth seeing if your area has this also. I think it is run by the local community health center.

[loosechickens]

flea....guarding your vision, which is so precious, is not the place to go "cheapo". Go to the opthamologist your eye doctor recommended, if you don't have the money, see if a payment plan is acceptable, do whatever you have to do, but there are so many serious things that could be wrong to cause symptoms and in almost all of them delaying seeking treatment usually makes the situation worse.

I googled for the symptoms and came up with this site: http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/sec...25/ch225b.html

but all it did was make me realize how many thing can go wrong to rob you of precious sight......so hope it scares you into going to the doctor ASAP. It may NOT be something serious. It may be a side effect of medication you may be taking, etc., but it COULD be signs of a serious situation that could rob you of your sight if not treated, so don't take the chance.....please.

[Zigzagman]

Flea - Any ophthalmologist will do more than blow you off with your symptoms. I would suspect that they would give you a vision exam, then check your Intraocular pressure (IOP)), and also take a look at your optic nerve (using usually just a handheld device). They are MD's and are very serious usually about protecting your vision - that is what they do!!

Don't take a chance with your vision. Most optometrists measure your pressure also but will refer you if they think there might be something that needs attention. . If you are really have eye problems do not take a chance - get it checked ASAP.

Peace

[screamingflea]

Okay, you talked me into it! :-P At least with the opthamologist my doc referred me to, I have a running tab so they won't expect full payment up front. It's the existing tab that scared me off, but maybe I should just do it. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[screamingflea]

I tried looking up some discount and charity programs but none of them panned out for me, so I kept this morning's appointment. It went exactly as I expected:

"You have eye strain. That'll be $250, please."

On one level I'm glad I went all the way with it. If I did this at the optometrist I would have a nagging doubt that they missed something important, but now it's settled. I shall go forth and purchase some eye drops and use them copiously for a month or so, and if it doesn't work I'll call him back.

Oh yeah .. my vision is 20/25, but he told me to get glasses to relieve the strain. Think I will. Thanks for all the encouragement, everyone.

[Zigzagman]

Glad to hear that your problems are not serious. I am puzzled as to why Medicare will not pay for the visit? Is the issue that you weren't referred by a GP to a specialistor is this standard procedure regarding Opthalmology? Excuse my ignorance but not being on Medicare, I am not aware of the requirements.

Not to divert from your condition but this is just another example of our poor healthcare system in this country. I think we deserve better!

Peace

[citrine]

I don't have vision care either....but I went to the local Sam's Club and they did the same exact thing as the opthamologist for a $112 rather than the $300! I was able to get a year's worth of contacts as well which brought it up to $300. The opthamologist would "pooh pooh" the minor change in my prescription and the Sam's club doctor gave me the new script and said that I would be able to see much clearer!
I am definitely for some better health care!