AMBLYOPIA

Also known as "lazy eye," is a condition characterized by diminished vision in one eye. It is not correctable by glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

ANISOMETROPIA

A condition in which the eyes have unequal refractive power.

ANTIREFLECTIVE COATING

A coating on the front or back of the lens that minimizes glare.

APHAKIA

Absence of the lens of the eye.

ASTHENOPIA

Weakness or tiring of the eyes accompanied by pain, headache, and dimness of vision; Eyestrain.

ASTIGMATISM

A condition in which refracted light is spread over a diffused area rather than sharply focused on the retina.

BENEFIT BROCHURE

A booklet or pamphlet or outline describing specific vision plan benefits.

BIFOCAL LENSES

Lenses containing upper and lower segments, each with a different power.

CATARACT

Opacity of the lens of the eye causing partial or total blindness.

CLAIM FORM

A three-part form that must be completed by the enrollee, the examining provider and the dispensing provider. This form must be submitted to receive reimbursements for covered services and materials.

COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMINATION

A complete evaluation of the visual system that may be performed in one or more sessions.

CONJUNCTIVITIS

Inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the eye; Pink Eye.

CONTACT LENSES

Lenses that fit directly over the lens of the eye.

CORNEA

The clear tissue, in front of the eye, resembling a crystal of a watch.

DIPLOPIA

Double vision.

EMPLOYER GROUP

A group that has chosen, in lieu of insurance, to reserve funds for payment for covered services incurred by its employees.

ESOPHORIA

A tendency of one eye to turn inward; convergent squint.

ESOTROPIA

A marked turning inward of the eye; crossed eyes.

EXOPHORIA

A tendency of one eye to turn outward; divergent squint.

EXOTROPIA

A manifest outward deviation of one eye; external squint.

EYEWEAR

Lenses, frame and/or contact lenses.

FIELD OF VISION

The entire area that is seen without shifting one's gaze.

FRAME

The structural part(s) that provide support to the lenses.

GLAUCOMA

A disease of the eye characterized by increased pressure inside the eye with resultant optic nerve damage.

HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIION (HMO)

An organization engaged in providing managed care and assuming the risk for health related benefits.

HETEROPHORIA

The tendency of one eye to deviate from one direction to another due to the imperfect balance of ocular muscles.

HYPEROPIA

A refractive error in which parallel rays come to a focus behind the retina, enabling a person to see distinctly only at far distances; Farsightedness.

INSURANCE CARRIER

An organization engaged in providing and assuming the risk of various benefits.

KERATOCONUS

Conical protrusion of the center of the cornea.

LENS OR LENSES

Transparent refracting medium usually made of glass or plastic.

LENTICULAR LENSES

Special non-cataract lenses for patients who have cataracts.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Degeneration of the macular area of the retina, which is an area that is important in the visualization of fine details.

MEDICALLY NECESSARY CONTACT LENSES

Prescribed to patients who meet specific medical criteria for contact lenses.

MYDRIATIC

A drug that dilates the pupil.

MYOPIA

A refractive error in which parallel rays come to a focus in front of the retina enabling a person to see distinctly only at near distances; Nearsightedness.

NON-PARTICIPATING PROVIDER

An Ophthalmologist, Optometrist or Opticians who is not a contracted vision plan provider.

NYSTAGMUS

A constant, cyclical movement of the eyeballs in any direction.

OPHTHALMOLOGIST (M.D.)

A physician who is qualified and especially trained to diagnose and treat all eye and visual system problems, as well as diagnose general diseases of the body. An Ophthalmologist prescribes lenses to improve visual acuity.

OPHTHALMOSCOPE

Device for viewing the interior of the eye or the retina.

OPTIC NERVE

The bundle of nerve fibers, which carries visual impulses from the retina to the brain.

OPTICIAN

A technician who designs, verifies and dispenses lenses, frames and other fabricated optical devices upon the prescription of an Ophthalmologist or an Optometrist.

OPTOMETRIST

A health care service provider who is specifically educated and trained to examine the eyes and determine visual acuity, as well as other vision problems and ocular abnormalities. An Optometrist prescribes lenses to improve visual acuity.

PARTICIPATING PROVIDER

A contracted Ophthalmologist, Optician, or Optometrist who accepts benefit allowances as payment-in-full for covered services.

PERIPHERAL VISION

Ability to perceive presence, motion, or color outside the direct line of vision; side vision

PHOTOPHOBIA

Unusual intolerance to light.

PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION (PPO)

An organization of contracted providers who agree to provide designated services and accept assignment of benefits for those services.

PRESBYOPIA

A visual defect in advancing age involving loss of accommodation or recession of near point, caused by the loss of elasticity of the lens. Onset usually occurs between 40 and 45.

PRISM

A wedge-shaped piece of glass or plastic that refracts rays of light.

PROGRESSIVE LENSES

Lenses with bifocal or trifocal power with no visible line between the various focal lengths.

REFRACTION

Determination of the amount of ocular refractive errors and their correction eye.

REFRACTIVE ERROR

Imperfect refractive powers of the eyes as in astigmatism, myopia, or hyperopia.

RETINA

The innermost layer of the eye that receives images transmitted by the lens.

SCOTOMA

A blind gap in the visual field.

SINGLE VISION LENSES

Corrective lenses with only one focal length.

STY

Inflammation of one of the sebaceous glands of the eyelid.

SUBNORMAL OR LOW VISION

Partial sight, usually resulting from eye diseases such as Glaucoma or Macular Degeneration, which cannot be satisfactorily corrected by ordinary eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery.

SUBNORMAL OR LOW VISION AIDS

Devices that are either worn, hand-held, or free-standing that manipulate images to improve vision. It mayor may not be used with regular corrective eyewear.

THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR

An organization that administers and processes claims for an Insurance Carrier, Health Maintenance Organization, or Employer Group.

TINT

Color added to lenses for either cosmetic or sun sensitivity reasons.

TONOMETRY

A test for measuring ocular tension used to detect Glaucoma.

TRIFOCAL LENSES

Corrective lenses with three focal lengths.

VISION

Sense by which light and color are apprehended; sight.

VISUAL ACUITY

The measure of visual power, expressed as a fraction (e.g. 20/20) that is usually determined by one's ability to read letters of various sizes at a standard distance from a test chart.