Why select Ossip as your contact lens provider?

Since 1952, Ossip has been taking care of Central Indiana’s patients. Our doctors and staff are committed to providing you the highest level of eye care. As the area eye care leader, we offer the very best contact lens materials and most technologically advanced contact lens designs available. We specialize in contact lenses that you can wear daily, monthly or continuous wear. We can fit almost anyone, from patients with astigmatism to multifocal needs, we can even help you change your eye color. Our program is simple, but your benefits are comprehensive! If you currently wear or want to wear contact lenses choosing Ossip is your best, first step.

Can I wear contacts?

After your comprehensive eye exam, the doctor will discuss your vision correction options. If you are interested in wearing contact lenses, the doctor will then begin a second examination.

During the second examination or your “contact lenses fitting” examination, the doctor will determine the best initial contact lens design and materials for your eyes. There are additional fees for your contact lens fitting examination and contact lens materials. Our contact lens professional fitting fees range from $75 to $500 depending upon the results of your contact lens fitting examination, the complexity of your fit and the condition of your eyes. Our contact lens materials are competitively priced compared to other professional providers.

Our professional contact lens program includes:

1. Contact Lens Fitting
   • The doctor will examine your eyes specifically to determine your ability to wear contact lenses. Based upon that information, the doctor will “design” and order an initial pair of contact lenses for you to wear for approximately one week
   • The doctor will present and discuss with you our contact lens agreement form. This form explains our contact lens program and fees for professional services and contact lens materials. This form allows you and your doctor to determine the quantity of contact lenses to be ordered based upon your wearing schedule and life style.
   • Our contact lens technicians are trained to help all patients learn how to properly insert, remove, and care for your contact lenses.
2. Contact Lens Evaluation
   • After approximately the first week of wearing your initial contact lenses, the doctor will check the fit of the contact lenses and the clarity of your vision.
   • If the contact lens fit is correct and your vision is clear, we will then order the additional quantity of contact lenses based on what you and your doctor agreed upon.
   • If your doctor is not satisfied with the contact lens fit or if you are not satisfied with your vision, the doctor will “redesign” your contact lenses and have you wear the new lens design for another week. Generally, there are no additional professional fees for any contact lens “redesign” services, or any additional contact lens follow up appointments regardless of the number of appointments needed to obtain a satisfactory fit and comfortable lens wear for one year.
3. Contact Lens Dispensing
   • After you and your doctor have found the right pair of contact lenses, we will then order according to your contact lens agreement (if necessary) additional pairs of contact lenses to meet your vision needs.
   • Upon arrival (normally 5 business days) you may either pick up your contact lenses at any of our offices or for a nominal fee, we will mail them to your home.

What are the program benefits?

Ossip’s contact lens program offers you many benefits. They are:

1. The most current, state-of-the-art contact lens designs and material the eye care industry has to offer patients.
2. All-inclusive contact lens program. No additional fees for professional services, lens designs or laboratory services for one year, regardless of the amount of time or materials needed. We are committed and want you to wear and enjoy your contact lenses.
3. Reduced fees for lost or damaged contact lenses for one year.
4. 24 hour, 7 days a week, emergency eye care after hour service.

What is a Contact Lens Prescription?

Contact lenses are defined as a medical device. Indiana state law governs the dispensing of contact lenses. Ossip Optometry and Ophthalmology complies with all laws governing the sale and dispensing of contact lenses.

Contact lenses cannot be dispensed without a valid contact lens prescription. A contact lens prescription cannot be written for a patient under Indiana law until the doctor has released the patient from an initial fitting and follow up period of not more than six months. Contact lens prescriptions are not valid for more than one year.

What if I have a contact lens or eye care emergency?

If you have an eye emergency, call your doctor’s office. We offer 24-hour, 7 days a week emergency patient care. Emergency eye care issues related to normal contact lens wearing is a benefit of your contact lens program and no cost to you. Medical treatment of the eyes not related to wearing contact lenses is not covered under your contact lens program.

What kind of warranty do my contacts have?

If contact lens wear is discontinued for any valid reason within six (6) months and upon return of all contact lenses, you will be credited the contact lens material fee. If your contact lenses are special astigmatic, rehabilitative, or durable, your credit will be the material fees less $150. If your contact lenses are a special designs, custom, or other designs the credit will be the material fees less $200.

Your contact lens program includes reduced material fees for lost or damaged lenses during the initial wearing year. Damaged contacts must be returned to receive your discount, as they will be returned to the manufacturer.

Are their any other benefits?

Yes, contact lens patients who purchase an annual supply of contact lenses are eligible to receive a 30% discount on any spectacle lenses for eyewear or prescription sunglasses.

Contact lens patients who purchase an annual supply of contact lenses will also receive an Ossip “Sun Buck” coupon for savings on nonprescription sunglasses.

Contact Lens Wearing:
Do’s and Don’ts

Do...

1. Wash your hands before handling your lenses.
2. Clean /disinfect your lenses only with the recommended solutions.
3. Follow your recommended wearing schedule.
4. Store and care for your lenses only in the recommended solutions.
5. Remove your lenses if you have discomfort, extreme redness, blurred vision, or burning. Immediately call your doctor for their advice.
6. Keep your follow up appointments to maintain good eye health.

Don’t...

1. Over wear your lenses.
2. Sleep in your lenses unless approved by your doctor.
3. Shower or swim in your lenses unless approved by your doctor.
4. Wear your lenses around aerosol sprays or noxious fumes.
5. Use any products other than those that are recommended.
6. Take any advice from other contact lens wearers. Please call you doctor for their professional advice.

SHOPPING FOR YOUR NEW EYEWEAR

We want to make your shopping experience fun and exciting at Ossip. Your eyewear is a statement about your personal style. They are your calling card, the first thing people notice when they look at you! Our professional team of opticians will guide you in selecting eyewear to meet all of your needs.

SELECTING YOUR AWESOME FRAMES

This is the fun part! We shop the markets in New York, L.A. and Europe to provide you with the most exclusive selection anywhere in the city. In fact, for more than two decades we have negotiated the exclusive rights to the most recognized and sought after designer frames. Names such as ic!berlin, Face á Face, Oliver Peoples, Paul Smith, l.a. Eyeworks, Kazuo Kawasaki, Anne et Valentin, Robert Marc, 2.5 Eyephorics, FreudenHaus, Lunor and Theo are just the beginning. With so many choices, you’ll want a pair for work, casual, dress and all your activities. Eyewear is an exciting way to change your look. After all you probably own more than just one pair of shoes!

SELECTING YOUR PERSONALIZED LENSES

Based on what your doctor recommends and what you tell us about how you use your eyewear, we will work with you to identify which lens type is right for you. We have all the latest materials in the industry, including ultra-thin digitally surfaced lenses that give you the best vision possible. We can fulfill all of your optical needs to fit your lifestyle including sport lenses, special lenses for golf, polarized sun protection, and Transitions® lenses.

NO-GLARE TREATMENT

Once we have identified the best lenses for you, we can customize them with specialized lens treatments offering a variety of features. We highly recommend anti-reflective treatment to reduce glare, improve clarity, and allow others to see your beautiful eyes. We want you to look and see your best!

COMPUTER, ANTI-FATIGUE and ELECTRONIC DEVICE LENSES

With the increased use of computers, smartphones and other electronic devices, many people develop symptoms of Visual Fatigue Syndrome (VFS). Symptoms of VFS include eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision and neck and back pain. This is becoming increasingly common among young adults and even children who have not needed vision correction before. Computer and Anti-Fatigue lenses can now relieve these symptoms and provide clear, comfortable vision.

SUNWEAR

We also recommend that you select sunwear as part of your visual solution. Sunwear is crucial in promoting overall visual health. Studies have shown that ultraviolet exposure can lead to the development of cataracts and m

Consistent with the recommendations of the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Ossip Optometry strongly recommends that all patients receive a retinal-screening test along with their regular eye examination.  Retinal screening helps detect such problems as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal holes or detachments, and diabetic retinopathy.

In the past, the only way to evaluate a patient's retina completely was to dilate the pupil with eye drops, wait 20 to 30 minutes, and examine the retina through an instrument with bright lights.  This method usually causes patients' vision to be blurry and their eyes to be especially sensitive to light for four or five hours, because of the dilation of the pupils, and many patients dislike these temporary effects.

Another option is now available.  Recently, a laser instrument called an Optomap has been developed that enables your doctor to perform a thorough retinal screening examination without dilation. Ossip Optometry has Optomap technology available in all its locations, so Ossip patients now have a choice of retinal screening methods. 

The doctors at Ossip Optometry recommend this type of retinal screening because:

• Less invasive than the dilation method
• Creates a permanent record
• Allows for future comparisons
• Can be reviewed by other doctors, if necessary

Click here to learn more about the Optomap Retinal Exam.

Lasers are the most technologically advanced means available to correct certain vision problems, which may reduce your dependence on eyewear and contact lenses.  These outpatient procedures can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism by gently reshaping the front surface of your eye with a cool, ultraviolet  beam of laser light. 

Determining whether LASIK, or any other procedure available to correct refractive problems, is right for you is a decision best made by you in consultation with your Doctor at Ossip. There is no cost associated with the initial consultation and there is absolutely no obligation.

Pre-Procedure Consultation

The primary objective of the consultation is to determine whether you are a candidate for laser vision correction and, if so, which procedure would be most appropriate for you.  The secondary objective of the consultation is to educate you regarding all aspects of laser vision correction.  Learning everything you can about your options is the key to making an informed decision.  The consultation process will help you to understand what you can reasonably expect from the procedure.

Am I a good candidate?

Yes, if you're at least 18 years old, in good general health, and have good eye health with no diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma.  Laser vision correction can treat a very broad range of nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness.  In most cases, even patients with the most severe degrees of nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness can be treated.  Good candidates have realistic expectations.

What is LASIK?

With the LASIK procedure, an ophthalmic instrument called a microkeratome is used to create a hinged, corneal flap that is folded back to expose the inner corneal tissue (stroma). Once the flap has been folded back, a cool beam of laser light is used to remove minuscule amounts of corneal tissue to change the shape of the cornea, which changes the way you see.  After a few minutes of drying, the cornea is laid back in its original position. Due to the cornea's extraordinary natural bonding qualities, stitches are not usually required.

Pre-Procedure Routine

Eye drops will be placed in your eyes approximately 5  minutes prior to when the procedure begins, including anesthetic drops, which numb your eye and ensure that you feel no pain during the procedure.

You will be escorted to a laser room and you will lie down on a reclining chair. The chair will be moved under the microscope.  When you look up, you will see a green or red light with a ring of lights around it.  That is called a fixation light.  The doctor will ask you to stare at the light while the procedure is being performed.

During LASIK

The typical LASIK procedure takes five to ten minutes. Each step will be explained to you as it is performed.

The eye that is not being treated will be patched. Likely, we will put more drops in your eye just before the procedure begins.

First an eyelid holder will be placed between the eyelids. The holder prevents you from blinking.  Next the doctor will place a ring on  your cornea that keeps your eye steady and guides the microkeratome while the flap is being created. Some doctors may drape your eyelashes to keep them out of the way. When the ring is on your eye, you will feel a little pressure, but no discomfort as the anesthetic drops will have taken effect.

During most of the procedure, you are able to see what is happening; however, when the flap is created you will experience a few seconds of darkness. This is perfectly normal.  Shortly, you will be able to see the fixation light again.

Once created, the hinged flap will be folded back and the laser will be applied to the cornea beneath the flap. The laser portion takes less than a minute.

Next, the flap is folded back into place.  You will remain in a reclining position for 3 to 5  minutes while the eye's natural adhesion process works to secure the flap. Because the eye naturally creates a vacuum that adheres the flap to the cornea, you will not have to wear a contact bandage lens after the procedure.

If you are having both eyes treated, the same routine will be followed for the second eye.

Post-Procedure Care

Usually, patients  stay at the center for twenty minutes or so to be certain they are absolutely comfortable before being discharged.

Additional drops will be placed in your eyes and medication will be given to you to use over the next few days.

An eye shield will be given to you to place over your eyes while you sleep.

Now you are ready to go home and rest. Patients are encouraged to rest as it accelerates the healing process.

Visual Recovery

Most LASIK patients have greatly improved vision within the first 24 hours, although many  express that is seems they are looking through a mist. This phenomenon generally resolves itself within 24 to 48 hours, and by day three the LASIK patient may be experiencing dramatic visual improvement.

Follow-up Care

When you leave, you will be given complete instructions to follow for your post-procedure  regimen, including a list of eye drops and possibly some oral medication to take.  You also will be given your first post-procedure appointment for some time during the next 24 hours, and a schedule of recommended follow-up visits.  We will set actual dates and times.

Adhering to your prescribed follow-up regimen and keeping your follow-up visits is critical to achieving the very best possible visual outcome.

Risks associated with LASIK

At Ossip Optometry, we believe that it is essential for you to understand both the benefits and the risks associated with laser procedures so that you can make a fully informed decision. Risks specific to LASIK are described in detail in your informed consent form.  In addition, we will discuss these risks in detail with you.

Conclusion

Many employees, friends, family and associates have had their vision corrected with the  excimer laser. We believe that laser vision correction is a wonderful alternative for suitable candidates.  If you enjoy an active lifestyle and would like to reduce your dependence on  contact lenses and eyeglasses, you might want to consider laser vision correction. If you would like to hear more about how laser vision correction can help you, please schedule an  appointment for a free, no obligation consultation at any of the Ossip Optometry locations.