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Eye Doctor FAQs in Safford, AZ
Answers to the questions our patients ask most.
Common questions about eye exams, contact lenses, insurance, and testing at our eye doctor office in Safford, AZ.

Frequently asked questions
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Why should I get an eye exam?
Eye health is a critical part of your overall health. You should get an eye exam anytime you experience floating spots, blurry vision, or headaches. Make sure you make an appointment with your eye doctor if you are having trouble seeing or reading.
Eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts may seriously affect your vision. These effects develop gradually. For you to catch these conditions early on as they develop, an eye exam is required.
How often should I have an eye exam?
An eye exam should be done every 12 months for adults in Safford. However, for adults 55+, we recommend having your eye exam done every six months. You should schedule an appointment immediately if you are experiencing any eye problems.
How often should my kids get their eyes checked?
This is one of our most frequently asked questions. You should always take the eye health of your children seriously. You should have the eye health of your newborn checked often and honor any follow-up visits as recommended.
Schedule a thorough eye examination for your child when he or she is around 3 years old. Another exam should be done once your child is around 5 years of age. If your child has an eye condition or wears glasses, screening should be done once a year.
What happens during an eye exam?
You should never feel nervous about an eye exam. The exam itself is painless, and during your exam, we test your vision and dive into your medical history. This includes your family’s eye health.
We ensure that your overall eye health is okay by looking for any signs of conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, or glaucoma. The results of our tests will give us a perfect picture of your specific visual needs. Our eye exam also helps us determine whether you need prescription glasses.
Is a contact lens evaluation different from a comprehensive eye exam?
Eyeglass prescriptions are involved in comprehensive eye exams. This exam helps determine whether you require glasses. Your eye health is tested by dilating your pupils. On the other hand, a contact lens evaluation involves measuring your corneal curvature and choosing the necessary contact lenses for your needs.
Contact lens evaluation varies depending on the complexity of the case. Several follow-up visits are required to make sure this process is a success.
Will insurance cover my contact lens evaluation?
Contact lens fittings and evaluations are separate from a standard eye exam and require an additional fee. Depending on the specific plan, these services may require an out-of-pocket copay. Please call to confirm your coverage details.
What is the difference between a medical plan and a vision plan?
Insurance billing is determined by the chief complaint (the primary reason for the visit) and the clinical findings. Due to strict insurance regulations, vision plans cannot cover medical conditions, and medical insurance cannot cover routine vision services. A routine vision exam is billed to your vision plan (such as VSP or EyeMed). A medical eye exam is billed to your major medical insurance (such as Medicare or Blue Cross Blue Shield).
How long does a contact lens prescription last?
A contact lens prescription lasts 12 months.
What is an air puff test?
We always have to check for the pressure within your eyes during our exams. We use a special instrument to send a small, quick puff of air into your eyes to check the pressure and determine whether you have or are at risk for glaucoma.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive, irreversible damage to the optic nerve head and the underlying retinal cell layers. As nerve fibers within the eye gradually deteriorate, blind spots form in the peripheral vision, often long before central vision is impacted. Glaucoma care
Why do I have to get my eyes dilated?
Pupil dilation isn’t a compulsory procedure. However, there are lots of benefits that come with pupil dilation. Pupil dilation is a more comprehensive examination of your eyes’ retina. This procedure also ensures that you have less blurry vision after your eye exam.
Pupil dilation will cause your pupils to become larger than normal, causing more sensitivity to light exposure. If you opt for pupil dilation, you’d better bring some sunglasses with you. This guarantees you an easier and safer drive home.
What are retinal images?
Retinal images are used to record your eye health. These images are detailed, showing your internal eye structure. Through retinal images, we can discover any eye conditions such as glaucoma. These detailed images are kept as part of your file to help with follow-up visits.
Are retinal images taken for most patients?
Many clients always want to know whether other patients have their retinal images taken. This answer is yes. These images provide critical information important for your eye health. Even more, this process is comfortable and quick.
Do I still need an exam if my eyes seem fine?
You don’t have to take eye health for granted. An eye exam can help point out any developing issues. You may develop irreversible vision loss by ignoring any symptoms.
To avoid any of these complications, you should have routine eye exams. If you have a history of medical issues including hypertension, HIV/AIDS, and/or diabetes, you should undergo regular eye exams. These conditions can seriously affect your vision.
Will my details be kept private?
We value the confidentiality of our patients’ information. At no time will we release your information without consent. If you wish to have your information released, you’ll have to write to us seeking the release of your personal information to you or any other interested party.

Still have questions?
Call our Safford office and our team will be glad to help.
