Monthly Archives: November

4 Clever Options to Take Advantage of Flex Spending Dollars

One popular benefit offered by many employers is the flex spending account.  With this benefit, employees are allowed to contribute money, tax-free, into a type of savings account throughout the year.  This money can then be used to pay for certain vision, medical or dental expenses incurred during the plan year.  It can be a guessing game as to the appropriate amount to contribute each year. And you typically will lose any money saved but not spent.  So, if you find that you have a surplus at this time, here are some great ways to take advantage of your account balance.

Flex Spending Expires Soon

For those not aware of their plan rules, the flex spending benefit at many companies typically requires the insured person to use their benefit before the end of the year. That is not always the case, however. For instance, some companies may offer a short grace period which would extend into the next calendar year in which to spend the funds from the account. It is always best to check with your employer to verify the exact date in order to ensure you meet the deadline.

Vision Exam

If you haven’t already had a vision exam this year this is definitely the time to do it! This is one of the most important ways to maintain healthy vision. And luckily, any co-pay or charges not already covered by insurance would be covered by a flex spending account.  Even if you do not have any current symptoms of a vision problem, a comprehensive vision exam is the best way to catch and treat vision issues early on.  So don’t put it off any longer. Those flex spending dollars are just waiting to be put to good use.

Upgrade your Lenses

Use your flex spending dollars to try out a new pair of designer frames, specialty lenses or even a great pair of prescription sunglasses!  We have so many options in our expansive optical center for you to explore. You can try out a new frame style or trendy new color, or finally splurge for the specialty lens coatings you’ve been wanting.  Take advantage of those saved dollars and treat yourself to the perfect pair of glasses.  Or if you’re already happy with your glasses, it’s always a good idea to have an extra pair on hand as a back-up, or to leave in your car or at the office.

 Try Contacts

Have you been contemplating the thought of trading your glasses for contact lenses? Then use those flex spending dollars and give them a try!  Many people love the advantages that contacts offer and give up their glasses completely. But others comfortably switch between the two. Our helpful team will answer all of your questions, suggest the right lenses to meet your needs, and go over proper care techniques.  As a bonus, flex spending accounts even cover extras like contact lens solutions to care for your new lenses.

Vision Therapy

Vision therapy is a very effective treatment option for many kinds of vision disorders. If you have been diagnosed with a binocular vision disorder such as lazy eye, crossed eyes or focusing issues, but have not explored this option, talk to us soon! However, vision therapy can also provide surprising benefits you may not have realized. For instance, it is an excellent tool for athletes to sharpen their performance skills. Additionally, kids with special needs often find great success with this type of program as a form of vision correction. Schedule a consultation to learn how beneficial vision therapy can be!

Don’t Lose Your Flex Spending Dollars

Whatever you do, use those flex spending dollars.  If you don’t meet the deadline, you will likely lose whatever you have put into the account.  We are happy to offer additional flex spending ideas.  But make your appointment quickly, as the end of the year is coming fast.  To accommodate our patients, we offer convenient scheduling options to work with most schedules. Give us a call at 630-862-2020 to learn more!

Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.

Optometric Phototherapy: Powerful Treatment for these 4 Concussion Symptoms

Concussions are a serious matter for our patients of any age. But kids who participate in sports are especially susceptible to the danger of a concussion.  If not treated quickly and properly, a concussion can have lasting effects, especially on vision.  Optometric phototherapy is a highly effective form of post-concussive treatment for a number of vision-related symptoms.

What is a concussion

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that results from a bump, blow or jolt to the head or the body that is violent enough to cause the brain to hit the skull. This type of head injury can have a serious effect on the brain, and should be dealt with appropriately. In fact, properly responding to a concussion can make a big difference in preventing further, long-term negative effects.

What is optometric phototherapy

Optometric phototherapy is an advanced form of vision therapy in which various colored lights are used to target and correct a variety of vision problems.  Research has shown that applying light through the eyes to affect the regions of the brain that are responsible for the body’s hormonal and chemical balance, as well as visual function, can help restore balance in the body and improve vision problems.

Which concussion symptoms does optometric phototherapy help treat

A concussion can result in a number of visual impairments.  Therefore, all methods of treatment should be considered in order to address the issues and find the best solution. The optometric phototherapy programs that we provide in our office have shown a remarkable ability to improve visual symptoms of a concussion such as:

Accommodative insufficiency – the inability to maintain clear, comfortable focus on near objects, or to easily change focus from near to far. Some indications of this disorder include blurred vision, fatigue, headaches, double vision or a lack of concentration.

Binocular vision disfunction – the eyes do not align properly with one another and do not work together as a team. When this occurs, the eyes can transmit two images to the brain that are in slightly different positions. This can cause double vision, blurred vision, light sensitivity and poor depth perception.

Visual processing disorder – when the brain cannot make sense of the visual information it takes in through the eyes. This can result in confusing similar letters and numbers, losing your place while reading, or difficulty judging distances or heights.

Constricted functional visual field – the visual field is the entire area that can be seen when the eyes are fixed in one spot. A concussion can cause this area to become smaller, resulting in a loss of peripheral vision.

Family Vision Development Center provides expert optometric phototherapy treatment

Optometric phototherapy is a proven treatment option for post-concussive vision therapy. However, it is a specialized science and there are few providers in the state that are trained to provide the service.  Fortunately, Family Vision Development Center is privileged to have Dr. Alia Santoyo as part of our practice.  Dr. Santoyo is one of two optometrists in this area who is a Board Certified Fellow in optometric phototherapy by the College of Syntonic Optometry.  That means our patients have access to the very best vision therapy treatments to aid in their concussion recovery.

To learn more about the advanced optometric phototherapy programs offered at Family Vision Development Center, contact our office at 630-862-2020.

Family Vision Development Center is a full-service vision center offering innovative vision therapy services, post-concussive vision rehabilitation, comprehensive vision exams for eyeglasses and contact lenses, management of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and cataracts, and a state-of-the-art optical center offering the latest designs in eyewear.