SPECIALTY CONTACT LENS CONSULTATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(FAQ)

Frequently asked questions

How much time should I plan for my first appointment?

For a specialty contact lens consultation, plan to spend about an hour to an hour and a half on your first visit. At least one full hour will be spent with Dr. Morrison, and you’ll need about 10 minutes to fill out check-in forms. For a comprehensive eye examination plan to spend an hour at the office, including any soft contact lens fittings.



How may appointments will I need to complete the lens fitting process?

Once payment for services and lenses is received, expect at least three appointments (at no extra cost) to perfect the fit of your lenses and make sure your vision is fine-tuned to the best it can be. After ordering your lenses, we will schedule a dispensing appointment within 3-6 weeks for your specialty contact lenses. All appointments and follow-ups are covered under your initial global fee. This dispensing appointment is to fit the lenses, check vision, and adjust them as needed. After your dispensing appointment, expect another appointment within 2-3 weeks for any fit/vision adjustments. Most patients will need only three appointments, but it is not uncommon for patients to need up to 5 appointments over those 3 months. Dr. Morrison tries to perfect the lenses for optimal comfort and vision so she may make even microscopic adjustments if she thinks you will achieve better results.



What is the specialty contact lens fitting process like?

The fitting process starts with a Specialty Contact Lens Consultation. This consultation covers all testing necessary to determine the best option to perfect your vision. You may try on different types of lenses at this examination as well to assess your visual potential. For specialty contact lenses, once we start the fitting process you are able to return for unlimited follow-ups and lens changes for three months until we have a final product. If you decide to proceed with contact lenses, the lenses are ordered for you and you will return in about 1-3 weeks to try on the initial lens. This initial lens is our first chance to see how things look. If the lenses look good you will leave with the lenses and return for a follow-up visit to give us feedback on comfort and vision. We may need to alter the lens at this visit and will order lenses with different parameters. For specialty contact lenses, once we start the fitting process you are able to return for unlimited follow-ups and lens changes for three months until we have a final product.



Does In Focus accept insurance?

We do not accept medical or vision insurance as payment for eye exam services or contact lenses. We do, however, accept payment using an HSA (health savings account) or FSA (flexible spending account) card, along with cash and credit or debit cards.
Designing the highest quality specialty lenses takes time and resources. Most medical and vision plans do not allow enough "reimbursement" for these types of services. Or, if the reimbursement is too small, it restricts the Doctor to the types of lenses they are able to use. By not contracting directly with insurance plans, we are able to use the highest quality machines, materials, coatings, and time with our patients to provide the best results.



Can I still use my insurance benefits?

Most times, yes! Vision and medical insurances generally have out-of-network (OON) benefits. When you choose to use a Doctor who does not accept your insurance, you are going "out of network". Most plans have "in-network" and "out of network" benefits. The difference is that the out-of-network reimbursements are generally (but not always) lower than in-network. Dr. Morrison was conscious of pricing all exams and lenses in a way that is fair to both her AND her patients. Vision Insurance: After your appointment, if requested, we will provide you with a "1500 Form". You may send this form to your insurance company. If benefits are available, you will communicate directly with your plan and reimbursements will be sent directly to you. Medical Insurance: After your appointment, if requested, we will provide you with a "1500 Form". You may send this form to your insurance company. If benefits are available, you will communicate directly with your plan and reimbursements will be sent directly to you.



How do I find out what my out-of-network benefits are?

The best thing to do is to call your insurance company and ask!



I would like to schedule an appointment. What should I expect for payment on my first visit?

We take payment of cash, credit card, or HSA/FSA cards on the day of your appointment for services performed on that day.
If you are coming in for a Specialty Contact Lens Consultation (scleral lenses, prosthetic lenses, hybrid lenses, etc), you will pay $250 for the consultation on the day of the exam. This includes a full exam, all imaging, discussion with the Doctor, and recommendations to help you see your best. If you decide to move ahead with ordering lenses and going through the fitting process within three months of the initial exam, this $250 goes TOWARDS the cost of your professional fees (cost of the Doctor's time and the cost of the lens(es).



Approximately how much do specialty contact lenses cost?

Specialty contact lenses (scleral lenses, prosthetic lenses, hybrid lenses, etc) are all global-fees, meaning that you pay one fee for the initial exam, all the follow-ups (as many as you need) within a three month period, the lenses themselves, and any re-orders of lenses to “perfect” the fit and vision. This global-fee also includes training to insert and remove the contact lenses (if needed), your starting supply of solutions, and all high-level scans on each visit. No additional charges will be added once you start your journey to better vision. This three month process to perfect the comfort and vision of the lenses can cost between $900 and $4300 for unlimited examinations, unlimited follow ups, high-level scans, training, materials, and the lenses themselves. This amount varies depending on whether you choose to correct one or both eyes and on how advanced the lenses are and how much time is needed to fit each of the different lenses (scleral lenses require smaller and more precise adjustments than prosthetic lenses, for example, which is more time consuming). Remember that your initial consultation fee of $250 is applied towards this total if lenses are ordered within 3 months after the consultation. Not all consultations end in specialty contact lenses. Sometimes we are able to fix problems with solely glasses or simple soft contact lenses which will result in a lower cost.



Do you have any financing options available?

Yes! We can help you set up an In-House Financing Plan with our office. We will not order any contact lenses or start the fitting process until 75% of the total balance has been received. Lenses may be taken home after 100% of the balance is received. We also accept Care Credit, which is a no-interest credit card. You can apply easily for the card online and pay your balance on our Portal. Once the balance is paid with your Care Credit, we will order lenses for you and get started! Our Care Credit plans offer 6-month or 12-month no-interest financing options. Care Credit is safe to use and takes a fee from our office to allow our patients to utilize it. This is how Care Credit allows you to not be charged interest to use this card. We like this to be highly transparent for our patients.



SCLERAL CONTACT LENSES

Frequently asked questions

Who can benefit from scleral lenses?

1.) Dry Eyes When traditional treatments have failed, scleral lenses can be an amazing management option for severe dry eye. There is a reservoir of preservative-free sterile saline in between your cornea and the lens which stays in place all day. This provides constant lubrication to the eye. ​ In cases like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Sjogren's Syndrome, where more than just the cornea is compromised, the lens can be made to be much larger to protect the conjunctiva (white portion of the eye) as well. ​ These lenses, in combination with excellent dry eye management, can provide wonderful relief to patients who have been suffering from severe dry eye. ​​ ​2.) Keratoconus Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea thins and bulges forward. When an eye with keratoconus sees an image, the irregular cornea bends the light rays so they are unable to reach the retina in a straight line, making images distorted and blurry. For this reason, glasses are ineffective because once the light rays go through the glasses, they still are obscured by the cornea. ​ Scleral lenses are a great option to restore vision to people with keratoconus. Between the keratoconic cornea and the scleral lens, the liquid "fills in" the irregular surface to create a "new" corneal surface, where light can pass through clearly to the retina. For very advanced keratoconus, sometimes other contact lenses are difficult to fit without worrying about scarring the cornea. The scleral lens takes away this fear and allows the cornea to remain untouched. ​ 3.) Corneal transplants ​Corneal transplantation is a great way to restore vision to those who have extremely abnormal or scarred corneas. However, corneal transplants do introduce some irregularity to the corneal surface that may result in vision that cannot be corrected to 20/20 with glasses. Between the irregular cornea and the scleral lens, the liquid "fills in" the irregular surface to create a "new" corneal surface, where light can pass through clearly to the retina. This allows the eye to see once again. ​ 4.) Radial keratotomy ​Scleral lenses can be transformative for those who have had radial keratotomy (RK) surgery. Out of all lens options, this is the ideal lens for RK patients because the liquid layer between the lens and the eye minimizes a lot of the daily visual fluctuations that these patients experience. It can also improve vision immensely by minimizing irregularities caused by the incisions on the corneal surface.​



How may appointments will I need to complete the lens fitting process?

Once payment for services and lenses is received, expect at least three appointments (all covered under the initial global-fee) to perfect the fit of your lenses and make sure your vision is fine-tuned to the best it can be. After ordering your lenses, we will schedule a dispensing appointment within 2-4 weeks for your specialty contact lenses. All appointments and follow-ups are covered under your initial global-fee. This dispensing appointment is to fit the lenses, check vision, and adjust them as needed. After your dispensing appointment, expect another appointment within 2-3 weeks to receive the new altered lenses. Most patients will need only three appointments, but it is not uncommon for patients to need up to 5 appointments over those 3 months or more if your eye is incredibly difficult (which is Dr. Morrison's specialty). Dr. Morrison tries to perfect the lenses for optimal comfort and vision so she may make even microscopic adjustments if she thinks you will achieve better results.



What is the scleral lens fitting process like?

The fitting process starts with a Specialty Contact Lens Consultation. This consultation covers all testing necessary to determine the best option to perfect your vision. You may try on different types of lenses at this examination as well to assess your visual potential. For specialty contact lenses, once we start the fitting process you are able to return for unlimited follow-ups and lens changes for three months until we have a final product. If you decide to proceed with contact lenses, the lenses are ordered for you and you will return in about 2-4 weeks to try on the initial lens. This initial lens is our first chance to see how things look. If the lenses look good you will leave with the lenses and return for a follow-up visit to give us feedback on comfort and vision. We may need to alter the lens at this visit and will order lenses with different parameters. For specialty contact lenses, once we start the fitting process you are able to return for unlimited follow-ups and a number of free lens changes for three months until we have a final product.



Can scleral lenses correct my prescription?

Yes! Along with helping people achieve dry eye relief and correcting irregularities, we can correct your full prescription with the lens. ​ Scleral lenses can correct your glasses prescription, your astigmatism, and if you are over 40 years old and need reading glasses, your near prescription as well.​ ​ If you are over 40 years old, you have the options below with scleral lenses: ​1.) Distance Scleral Lenses + Reading Glasses: Both eyes corrected for distance with the lenses. For reading, you may wear progressive glasses (for a full range of vision) or reading glasses (for one range of vision) over the scleral lenses when needed. ​ ​2.) Monovision: One eye corrected for distance vision and the other eye corrected for reading or computer. The brain uses each eye independently and chooses which one to use for which task. Most people can adapt to this, some people cannot. ​ ​3.) Multifocal scleral lenses: This is a different design of scleral lens that combines both distance vision and near vision into the same lens. This requires a different fitting procedure but can give incredible vision. Multifocal lenses do require some compromise since the lenses are accomplishing so many tasks. Nighttime vision may give slightly more halos around lights due to the design of the lens. Most people can adapt to this over time.



How long do scleral lenses last?

Scleral lenses can last for as long as: your corneal shape doesn't change, your prescription doesn't change, and the material remains unscratched. ​These lenses are very high quality and an excellent investment in clear, comfortable vision. ​ Unless there is a change, we usually recommend getting a new pair every two years as well as having backup pair, especially if you have an ocular condition and rely on these lenses to see.



Approximately how much do scleral lenses cost?

The process for designing and fitting scleral lenses are global-fees, meaning that you pay one fee for the initial exam, all the follow-ups (as many as you need) within a three month period, the lenses themselves, and any re-orders of lenses to “perfect” the fit and vision. This also includes training to insert and remove the contact lenses (if needed), your starting supply of solutions, and all high-level scans on each visit. No additional charges will be added once you start your journey to better vision. The approximate cost of this entire process (everything included) is between $1750 and $4300 for three months of follow-ups and the lenses themselves. Some extremely specialized lenses (with prism and for patients with multiple surgical abnormalities) can cost upwards of $7000. These fees are different than traditional soft lenses because the lenses are "permanent", meaning you do not need to replace them unless your eye changes, and they require a lot of professional time (both with the patient and after the patient leaves) designing lenses on CAD software and with the manufacturer, high cost technology, and quality materials. This amount will vary depending on whether you choose to correct one or both eyes and on how advanced the lenses are and how much time is needed to fit each of the different lenses. Remember that your initial consultation fee of $250 is applied towards this total, if lenses are ordered within 3 months after the consultation.



Do you have any financing options available?

Yes! We can help you set up an In-House Financing Plan with our office. We will not order any contact lenses or start the fitting process until 75% of the total balance has been received. Lenses may be taken home after 100% of the balance is received. We also accept Care Credit, which is a no-interest credit card. You can apply easily for the card online and pay your balance on our Portal. Once the balance is paid with your Care Credit, we will order lenses for you and get started! Our Care Credit plans offer 6-month or 12-month no-interest financing options. Care Credit is safe to use and takes a fee from our office to allow our patients to utilize it. This is how Care Credit allows you to not be charged interest to use this card. We like this to be highly transparent for our patients.



HELPFUL RESOURCES

What are scleral lenses and how will they help me? - YouTube 

Benefits of Scleral Lenses - YouTube

What to Expect at a Consultation with Dr. Morrison - YouTube

How to insert and remove specialty contact lenses - YouTube

Why do Specialty Contact Lenses Cost More than Regular Contact Lenses? - Blog Post
Dr. Morrison’s Blog

Patient Testimonials

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