Optomat procedure?

[friar1610]

I just made an appointment with a new optometrist for a refraction/eyeglass prescription. I received an email back from the practice confirming my appointment and stating:

Quote: Please review our Covid-19 procedures before you come in.

• Due to the current restrictions, the Optomap will be done on every patient having a routine exam (not applicable if you are being seen for a follow up). It is a $39* out of pocket fee that is normally not covered by insurance (unless you are a Diabetic). The Optomap takes a digital image of the back of your eye. This is currently in place to allow the doctors to provide patients with the same care while also limiting the patient’s time and exposure in the office.

Unquote

Has anyone ever had experience with this? The cynic in me says it’s just a way to pad the fee by another $40. But that may be overly harsh. I regularly see an ophthalmologist for glaucoma care but have never heard her mention this procedure. Any feedback appreciated.

 

[braumeister]

The cynic in me says it’s just a way to pad the fee by another $40. But that may be overly harsh. I regularly see an ophthalmologist for glaucoma care but have never heard her mention this procedure. Any feedback appreciated.

According to the Mayo Clinic,

For most people, a laser retina scan isn't required. However it does provide another tool for assessing retina and eye health, which can be helpful during technically difficult examinations. If you choose to have a laser retina scan, make sure it's a complement to — not a substitute for — a traditional eye exam with dilation.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/eye-exam/faq-20058064

 

[Telly]

Here's more than you wanted to know about WHAT it is:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanning_laser_ophthalmoscopy

One was done on me prior to cataract surgery. It gives a 3D contour map of the retina. This was at my Ophtho. As far as it being done at an Optometrist, for a first-timer there, maybe it is to set a baseline. There are a few Optometrists that are really good, knowledge way beyond the usual. I went to one to help me figure out what was going on with me, as he and I could communicate super, from Opto <--> Engineer. It was a part of my deciding to go ahead and get cataract surgery. I had a very unusual problem, one not mentioned with cataracts!

 

[Luvtoride]

I just made an appointment with a new optometrist for a refraction/eyeglass prescription. I received an email back from the practice confirming my appointment and stating:

Quote: Please review our Covid-19 procedures before you come in.

• Due to the current restrictions, the Optomap will be done on every patient having a routine exam (not applicable if you are being seen for a follow up). It is a $39* out of pocket fee that is normally not covered by insurance (unless you are a Diabetic). The Optomap takes a digital image of the back of your eye. This is currently in place to allow the doctors to provide patients with the same care while also limiting the patient’s time and exposure in the office.

Unquote

Has anyone ever had experience with this? The cynic in me says it’s just a way to pad the fee by another $40. But that may be overly harsh. I regularly see an ophthalmologist for glaucoma care but have never heard her mention this procedure. Any feedback appreciated.

Friar,
I’ve been going to an ophthalmologist for years and they have been using this imaging procedure (on a voluntarily basis) with the cost paid by the patient. I’ve always agreed to it as the way the doctor explained it to me it gives them a much clearer view of the health of the eye than the alternative tests.
As a former diabetic, I never wanted to fool around with my vision and the health of my eyes.
I would recommend to do the image.

 

[Walt34]

Friar,
I’ve been going to an ophthalmologist for years and they have been using this imaging procedure (on a voluntarily basis) with the cost paid by the patient. I’ve always agreed to it as the way the doctor explained it to me it gives them a much clearer view of the health of the eye than the alternative tests.

Same here.

While I don't have any known diabetic issues, the cost is relatively cheap, and the first one established a "baseline" to compare to future procedures. Other than the minor OOP expense I see little downside and perhaps a huge upside if it catches something bad happening early.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

Here's more than you wanted to know about WHAT it is:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanning_laser_ophthalmoscopy

One was done on me prior to cataract surgery. It gives a 3D contour map of the retina. This was at my Ophtho. As far as it being done at an Optometrist, for a first-timer there, maybe it is to set a baseline. There are a few Optometrists that are really good, knowledge way beyond the usual. I went to one to help me figure out what was going on with me, as he and I could communicate super, from Opto <--> Engineer. It was a part of my deciding to go ahead and get cataract surgery. I had a very unusual problem, one not mentioned with cataracts!

The last couple of eye docs I went to offered/suggested this. I think it's useful if you stay with the same practice as it does offer a baseline. As far as it being "required" I would look at that as a shady practice and would find another place...especially since it seems like they are using COVID as an excuse.

Every time I had the scan, the doc STILL did a through exam...even back in Mar/Apr this year when places were still shut down.

 

[Calico]

Friar,
I’ve been going to an ophthalmologist for years and they have been using this imaging procedure (on a voluntarily basis) with the cost paid by the patient. I’ve always agreed to it as the way the doctor explained it to me it gives them a much clearer view of the health of the eye than the alternative tests.
As a former diabetic, I never wanted to fool around with my vision and the health of my eyes.
I would recommend to do the image.

Same here.

While I don't have any known diabetic issues, the cost is relatively cheap, and the first one established a "baseline" to compare to future procedures. Other than the minor OOP expense I see little downside and perhaps a huge upside if it catches something bad happening early.

Same here. I've had one done every year for several years. I figure $39 is a small price to pay in case it catches an issue early.

 

[Alan]

I had one done this week, additional cost of £10 ($14), and have had one done every couple of years. This time the optometrist not only showed me my image but also one from an anonymous patient of his, 2 years older than me but a smoker. It was easy to spot the unhealthy differences, and he said patients with diabetes had similar damage to the retina as that of the smoker.

 

[friar1610]

Thanks, all. Appreciate the feedback. I’ll check with my ophthalmologist and just make sure she hasn’t done it during one of my recent glaucoma check-ups (there’s some kind of scan she does but I don’t know what it’s called.) if she hasn’t I’ll let the optometrist do it.

 

[RetiredHappy]

My ophthalmologist visit always includes this scan and there is no up charge.

 

[chassis]

Ringing the cash register. If you weren't seeking this service, reject it. If the practitioner won't see you because you reject his/her cash register ringing techniques, fire the practitioner and shop for another one.

 

[badatmath]

I have some kind of scan at the ophthalmologist but my medical insurance covers it. I think it is kind of a new way to make money but pretty common.

 

[Gryphon]

The optometrist I went to for many years offered this service (or something like it). It used to be a snapshot of the back of the eye, which I went ahead & let them do (the fee was $21). The pictures never showed a problem.


But at some point they switched to a new machine that does a scan instead of a snapshot and the fee went up to around $40. I can't keep my eye open that long with a light shining in it, so the new machine was a complete bust for me the first year I tried it; after that I started turning it down.


This year I went to Costco instead & the optometrist there didn't offer it, he just did the manual check.


I suppose there's some benefit it being able to look for changes vs the previous years, which my old optometrist did. If they hadn't switched machines I would have kept doing it.

 

[RetMD21]

• Due to the current restrictions, the Optomap will be done on every patient having a routine exam (not applicable if you are being seen for a follow up). It is a $39* out of pocket fee that is normally not covered by insurance (unless you are a Diabetic). The Optomap takes a digital image of the back of your eye. This is currently in place to allow the doctors to provide patients with the same care while also limiting the patient’s time and exposure in the office.
.

I think this means that they aren't going to do a thorough exam and are substituting this, right? if so it sounds like a good way to increase throughput and charges

 

[Gotadimple]

I think this means that they aren't going to do a thorough exam and are substituting this, right? if so it sounds like a good way to increase throughput and charges

Agree - it seems to say they aren't going to do a detailed eye exam. In Washington state, with Covid they are allowed to charge for PPE, so there is a $5 charge added to the bill.

My Optomotrist has a way to do a detailed eye exam with the required air circulation. The Optimap doesn't substitute for you reading the eye chart and comparing different lenses to determine if you need a different prescription.

I've had the Optimap done for many years and it costs $39. It gives a good picture of the retina and lets the Optometrist/Ophthalmologist see details of the retina and macula and capture a snapshot for comparison. Insurance doesn't cover it, but then, vision insurance doesn't cover a lot of things.

- Rita

 

[target2019]

My eye research specialist is wondering if the optometrist can interpret the scan correctly.
The scan by itself is not enough for a diagnosis. It provides baseline data at a moment in time. If you're concerned about eye problems see a specialist in one of the ophthalmology fields.

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

It's included in my annual eye exam at a university eye school. This is in addition to the normal comprehensive eye test. If they were using this test as a substitute, I would be concerned.

 

[friar1610]

My eye research specialist is wondering if the optometrist can interpret the scan correctly.
The scan by itself is not enough for a diagnosis. It provides baseline data at a moment in time. If you're concerned about eye problems see a specialist in one of the ophthalmology fields.

Well, as I noted in the OP, I do have glaucoma and see a specialist (an ophthalmologist) every 4 months. What I don’t know for sure is whether any of the scans I get there are either the Optimat itself or something equivalent. I’ve sent a query to the ophthalmologist to ask that question specifically. I’m only seeing the optometrist to get a new glasses prescription; I rely on the ophthalmologist for my overall eye health. I simply don’t want to repeat (and pay for) anything with the optometrist that’s already being handled by the ophthalmologist.

 

[chassis]

Well, as I noted in the OP, I do have glaucoma and see a specialist (an ophthalmologist) every 4 months. What I don’t know for sure is whether any of the scans I get there are either the Optimat itself or something equivalent. I’ve sent a query to the ophthalmologist to ask that question specifically. I’m only seeing the optometrist to get a new glasses prescription; I rely on the ophthalmologist for my overall eye health. I simply don’t want to repeat (and pay for) anything with the optometrist that’s already being handled by the ophthalmologist.

What is the reason for 3 visits per year to the opthalmologist? Did he/she give you a reason? Would 2 visits per year be enough? What about 1 visit per year?

There are tangible benefits from fewer visits per year, in terms of less out of pocket cost and less time fiddling with traveling to and from the practitioner's office. This needs to be weighed against whatever objective and subjective benefits are gained, if any, from the number of visits per year.

It's similar to my former dental hygienist's recommendation for me to visit 4 times per year. I looked at her and said, "I'm not doing that, you'll see me once per year." She said nothing and continued with the appointment. My view is that they were seeking to ring the cash register.

The message here is to question everything. Ask for the reason under the reason for everything. It's your health, your time and your money.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Well, as I noted in the OP, I do have glaucoma and see a specialist (an ophthalmologist) every 4 months. What I don’t know for sure is whether any of the scans I get there are either the Optimat itself or something equivalent. I’ve sent a query to the ophthalmologist to ask that question specifically. I’m only seeing the optometrist to get a new glasses prescription; I rely on the ophthalmologist for my overall eye health. I simply don’t want to repeat (and pay for) anything with the optometrist that’s already being handled by the ophthalmologist.

Since you are already seeing an ophthalmologist I don't see a need to pay for extra scan to to optometrist. Your Ophthalmologist visits would uncover alot more going on compared to whatever an optometrist does. I don't go to an optometrist and if I need my prescriptions checked, the ophthalmologist office would give me a prescription if needed for an extra $45 unless I have vision insurance.

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Check the short video at this page, if you've had it you will remember. My vision exam includes both dilation and the optomap test but it sounds like in your case they may be doing it in place of dilating your eyes.

https://www.roswelleyeclinic.com/technology/optomap/

 

[RetMD21]

Well, as I noted in the OP, I do have glaucoma and see a specialist (an ophthalmologist) every 4 months. What I don’t know for sure is whether any of the scans I get there are either the Optimat itself or something equivalent. I’ve sent a query to the ophthalmologist to ask that question specifically. I’m only seeing the optometrist to get a new glasses prescription; I rely on the ophthalmologist for my overall eye health. I simply don’t want to repeat (and pay for) anything with the optometrist that’s already being handled by the ophthalmologist.

I found this advice at the Mayo Clinic Web site

Optomat is fine but limited and shouldn't substitute for a dilated retinal exam. In any case you should do what your ophthalmologist recommends

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/eye-exam/faq-20058064

 

[braumeister]

I found this advice at the Mayo Clinic Web site

Which is exactly what I put in post #2 in this thread.

 

[MichaelB]

Which is exactly what I put in post #2 in this thread.

Yeah, but you’re not a doctor

 

[braumeister]

Yeah, but you’re not a doctor

Hey, I own a white lab coat. Doesn't that count any more?