We participate with a variety of medical insurances. Since these policies change regularly, it is your responsibility to contact your insurance provider and determine if our practice is participating.

Insurance referrals are required for any patient with a medical diagnosis that has an HMO plan. Examples are Keystone Health Plan East, Keystone First, Keystone 65, Aetna HMO, etc. Check on the back of your insurance card or contact your insurance company to inquire if you are unsure. Referrals must be obtained from your family doctor. It is best to call a week before your appointment to allow adequate time for us to receive the referral.

An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. They are specially trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care, from prescribing glasses to complex and delicate eye surgery. Many ophthalmologists are also involved in scientific research into the causes and cures for eye diseases and vision problems.

An MD and a DO are both ophthalmologists (not to be confused with an OD, or optometrist, which is described in the following question).

An MD is a Doctor of Medicine. An ophthalmologist with an MD degree completes medical school, a one-year internship, and three or more years of residency.

A DO is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. An ophthalmologist with a DO degree completes the same schooling as a Doctor of Medicine, but also receives teaching in osteopathic manipulative medicine and complete conventional residencies in hospitals and training programs.

An OD is a Doctor of Optometry. Optometrists are independent primary health care professionals for the eye. They examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.

Our Doctors of Optometry prescribe medications, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures. They also counsel their patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations, and lifestyle.
An optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (OD.) degree. Some optometrists complete an optional residency in a specific area of practice.

We are proud to say that our optometrists are state-licensed in Therapeutics to diagnose and treat diseases (such as glaucoma) and other disorders of the eye and visual system.

Opticians are not eye doctors; rather, they are professionals that make, verify, and deliver lenses, frames, and other specially fabricated optical devices upon prescription (from an optometrist or ophthalmologist) to the intended wearer. The opticians’ functions include:

•Prescription analysis and interpretation
•Determination of the lens forms best suited to the wearers needs
•The preparation and delivery of work orders for the grinding of lenses and the fabrication of eye wear
•The verification of the finished ophthalmic products
•The adjustment, replacement, repair, and reproduction of previously prepared ophthalmic lenses, frames, and other specially fabricated ophthalmic devices

The American Board of Opticianry Certification documents an optician’s superior level of knowledge and exemplifies Bucks-Mont Eye Associates’ belief in staff excellence and training. ABO Certified Opticians are required to take Continuing Educational courses to keep current in the optical profession.

An eye exam is considered routine when a patient comes in for an eye examination without any medical eye conditions. The doctor will check for eye disease and check the patient’s vision.

An eye exam is considered medical if the visit is an evaluation for a medical-related complaint or follow-up for an existing condition. Examples of medical diagnosis are dry eyes, floaters, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, etc.

Patient Portal is a secure website that allows you to request appointments, ask general questions, request medication refills, access your Personal Health Record (PHR), and more. It is available 24 hours a day and allows you to correspond with our office at your convenience.

A link to Patient Portal can be found on the home page or by going to www.nextmd.com. If you are new to Patient Portal, you may self-enroll by clicking the link titled “Patient Portal Self Enroll,” or you may contact the office and receive temporary credentials to logon.

It is important for people of all ages to get their eyes examined. Adults should have their eyes examined regularly to keep glasses prescriptions up to date and to help check for any early signs of eye disease.

It is also important for children to have their eyes examined. Children may not need to see their eye doctor as frequently as adults do, but this helps ensure normal vision development and detect any vision problems a child may not recognize.