• Where is the office located and when are you open?
• What vision insurance plans do you accept?
• Can I fill out my 'forms' ahead of time?
• What should I bring to the examination?
• What types of frames and lenses do you carry?
• Does the Doctor fit contact lenses? What are the fitting fees?
• What is an Optometrist?
• What type of testing is involved with an eye examination?
• My child had a school vision screening, does he/she need an eye exam with a Doctor?
• When does the Doctor recommend eye exams for children?
• My child is only 12 months old (basically an infant), what testing can the Doctor really do?
• What is 20/20 vision?

Q: Where is the office located and when are you open?

          A: Please follow link to Home Page (see right half of page, map is twords the bottom)

Q: What vision insurance plans do you accept?

          A: We are now participating providers for VSP (Vision Service Plan), UFCW, Medical Eye Services (MES), Medicare, Eyemed and Blue Sheild. We are providers for most but not all of the plans these companys offer. Please call the office and our staff will be happy to check for eligibility.

Q: Can I fill out my forms ahead of time?

          A: Yes and we appreciate your efforts so please follow link to Office Forms Page

Q: What should I bring to the examination?

          A: Please bring your paper work if you choose to fill it out ahead of time including Patient Information Form, Medical History Form and Dilation Form. Bring your Insurance Card(s), SS# and ID just in case because many insurance companies require this information for authorizations.  Also bring all your glasses that you currenty wear including sunglasses and if you would like a contact lens evaluation please come to the office wearing your current lenses if possible and bring your old boxes or written contact lens Rx.

Q: What types of frames and lenses do you carry?

          A: Please follow link to Products and Services Page 

Q: What types of contact lenses do you fit? What are the fitting fees?

          A: Please follow link to Products and Services Page (look at bottom of page) or follow links to read information on contact lens fitting and for fees follow link to explaination of fees.

Q: What is an Optometrist?

          A: Doctors of Optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions. Optometrists examine the internal and external structure of the eyes to diagnose eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders; systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes; and vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Optometrists also do testing to determine the patient's ability to focus and coordinate the eyes, and to judge depth and see colors accurately. They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy and medicines to treat eye diseases.

          As primary eye care providers, optometrists are an integral part of the health care team and an entry point into the health care system. They are skilled in the co-management of care that affects the eye health and vision of their patients and an excellent source of referral to other health care professionals.

          The 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 (O.D.) degree.

Q: What types of testing is involved with the eye examination?

          A: Please follow link to The Eye Examination page for detailed description of the exam.

Q: My child had a school vision screening, does he/she need an eye exam with a Doctor?

          A: Proper school screenings are a good tool to discover basic vision problems in some children but are not comprehensive eye examinations and can miss major visual and health issues in many kids. At Conejo Family Eyecare Drs Griffith and Hamlet complete a full battery of tests to asses a childs visual function and eye health that far exceed any typical screening and we therefore recommend a comprehensive examination in all children. See next question / answer for recommendations as to interval of childrens examinations.

Check out this video with Bill Nye "the Science Guy" http://www.youtube.com/watchv=qRu4TsYuVdM

Q: When does the Doctor recommend eye exams for children?

          A: The doctors at Conejo Family Eyecare recommend comprehensive childrens examinations at 1 / 3 / 5 years as a minimum. Examinations can start at 6 months or earlier depending on relative concern based on family history or observations of a parent or pediatrician. Ideally, yearly examinations are the best way to ensure proper visual development in children. If naps are still a big part or your childs day please try to schedule their appointment as soon after their nap as possible. Children due for a nap tend have more difficulty during the examination.

Q: My child is only 12 months old, what testing can the Doctor really do?

          A: Obviously, the Doctors cannot ask the child "which is better one or two?" (not at least if they would like an answer :)  Many methods of subjective testing involving detailed questioning and patient responses used in older children and adults are not practical with younger kids. However, we are fortunate to have many objective testing methods at our disposal. Even with very little responsiveness, other than being awake with their eyes open, the Doctor can evaluate the efficiency and balance of eye movements, their approximate prescription and balance between the eyes and evaluate the health of their eyes. In some cases where history or testing warrants it, drops may need to be used to more thoroughly evaluate the patients visual system. The need for use of drops in children will be discussed by the Doctor and only used with approval of the parent or guardian. Once again, if naps are still a big part or your childs day please try to schedule their appointment as soon after their nap as possible. Children due for a nap tend have more difficulty during the examination.

Q: What is 20/20 vision? What are myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia?

          A: 20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet.

20/20 does not necessarily mean perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance. There are other important vision skills, including peripheral awareness or side vision, eye coordination, depth perception, focusing ability and color vision that contribute to your overall visual ability.

Some people can see well at a distance, but are unable to bring nearer objects into focus. This condition can be caused by hyperopia (farsightedness) or presbyopia (loss of focusing ability). Others can see items that are close, but cannot see those far away. This condition may be caused by myopia (nearsightedness).

A comprehensive eye examination by a doctor of optometry can diagnose those causes, if any, that are affecting your ability to see well. In most cases, your optometrist can prescribe glasses, contact lenses or a vision therapy program that will help improve your vision. If the reduced vision is due to an eye disease, the use of ocular medication or other treatment may be used.