Frequently Asked Questions

The Low Vision Evaluation takes 90 minutes and is $300.00. Unfortunately, our fees are not covered by Medicare or private insurance. Low Vision glasses vary in costs depending upon the following factors. Here are some facts to consider:

1. Type of lens system: Telescopic, Microscope, Prismatic, E-Scoop

2. Monocular or Binocular: Some systems must be monocular (one eye); some binocular, and some may be either.

3. The level of magnification required

4. The eyeglass prescription of the patient

5. The frame used for the system

6. The number of items on the wish list

Low Vision devices are considered to be “task specific”. The glasses are designed to complete the task desired. From time to time it is possible to design a pair of glasses for multiple tasks. Often this is not possible.

It usually takes two to four weeks for specialized glasses to be fabricated. Arrangements can be made to have them sooner in some circumstances. If a person has a special event happening and needs the glasses, the lab can usually expedite the order.

The free telephone interview is a way of limiting the time, expense and disappointment of people who probably cannot be helped by low vision care. Dr. Lindell has determined that asking the right questions on the phone could determine if a patient was qualified for low vision services. “If not, why put the patient through the time and expense only to be extremely disappointed?” says Dr. Lindell. During the free telephone interview, the doctor will ask questions regarding vision, functional abilities, goals, motivation, health, and mobility to determine if an appointment is in the best interests of the caller.

During the evaluation, the patient will use actual low vision telescope, microscope and prismatic glasses on the tasks desired. The doctor and the patient will see that they work BEFORE they are ordered. This will be done again when the patient picks up the glasses. We never order glasses until the patient knows that they work.

Almost always, prescriptions and magnification levels can be changed without the need for a whole new pair of glasses. We offer a twelve month warranty if the prescription changes at no charge to the patient. It is interesting that changes are actually rarely needed.

We accept cash, personal check and all major credit cards.

People with vision loss are undoubtedly concerned with loss of independence and their ability to drive a car. We get many phone calls from people who want to be able to continue driving. We do have glasses called bioptic telescopes which allow people, sometimes with certain conditions, to continue driving.

With central vision loss people can see large objects and not small objects. So when it comes to reading street signs or seeing traffic lights, you need to get closer to them in order to see them. This sometimes creates an unsafe situation. If we can somehow make these objects appear closer that would solve the problem. We all know that if we look through a pair of binoculars we will see things larger and closer. We can miniaturize those binoculars, put them in a pair of glasses, and place them on top of a lens. So that simply tilting your chin down and looking through the telescope you see a lot closer, a lot bigger, a lot sooner.

In Wisconsin bioptic lenses can be used while driving, but cannot be used to meet the vision standards required for an unrestricted driver's license. The standard for unrestricted licensing is 20/40 vision and a 70-degree field of vision. If you need bioptic lenses to see 20/40 or have a field of vision less than 70 degrees, you may not be allowed to drive without restrictions.