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Services | "The bitterness of poor quality lingers on long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten!"
By answering to a Higher Authority, we have earned a reputation of excellence by providing our patients with only the highest quality products and services at reasonable fees -- without any sacrifice to quality.
Our discerning patients value and appreciate our commitment to quality: Quality services. Quality eyewear. Quality care. Quality follow-up services. And most of all: Quality patients.
We are NOT for everyone -- but only for those who truly value their precious eyesight and are willing to take the time to provide them with the conscientious care and eyewear they deserve. Those who wish "quickie" exams would be happier elsewhere.
Quality cannot be rushed and we will not waver in our commitment to our 75-year tradition of excellence in preserving and protecting the gift of sight.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS:
Our comprehensive vision exam goes far beyond 20/20 vision to evaluate many important visual skills, as well as to rule out eye diseases and vision anomalies.
ONE-hour, unhurried, precision- and health-oriented examinations are performed by caring, conscientious doctors who take the time and go the extra mile to provide you with invaluable patient education that can PREVENT eye problems before they happen.
Our doctors are board-certified and proficient in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment or referral, and management of ocular problems including:
Asthenopia (Eye fatigue, eye strain, red eyes, fatigue, pain in or around the eyes, blurred vision, headache, irritated eyes or occasional double vision)
Computer Vision Syndrome (Symptoms that arise from computer work)
Near-sightedness (Myopia: clearer at near, blurrier at far)
Far-sightedness (Hyperopia: blurrier at near; clearer at far )
Astigmatism (Blurred vision from irregular shape of the cornea or crystalline lens)
Presbyopia ("After 40" - "my-arms-are-getting-too- short" vision; blurriness when reading or doing nearpoint activities)
Dry Eye Syndrome
Spots and floaters
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Diabetic retinopathy
Macular degeneration
Retinal detachment
Eye injuries and infections
>> Click on the Eyecare Articles page on the MENU column to your left to learn about these eye conditions.
>> For videos on eye conditions: http://video.about.com/vision/Glaucoma.htm
STATE-OF-THE-ART DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES:
We are dedicated to using the latest and best technology available, including computer-assisted eye exams to ensure prescription accuracy and state-of-the-art, laser-driven diagnostic imaging (GDx and HRT3) to assess and diagnose vision-threatening eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration at their earliest (as early as 8 years ahead) manifestation, as well as the diagnosis of cataracts and treatment of dry-eye and eye infections.
What sets us apart from the rest: We digitally photograph every patient's eyes without dilation -- and without an additional charge -- for the earliest detection and more successful management of eye disease. (Dilation is especially recommended for patients with small pupils, the openings in the center of the colored part of the eye called the iris.)
These digital photographs allow our doctors to diagnose serious eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments and macular generation that could have otherwise gone undetected. Your inner eye (retinal) images are immediately displayed for the doctor to review with you.
This wonderful technology has already led to improved disease detection and has prevented vision loss and blindness in several patients. Since the photos are digital, they will remain as part of your file as baselines for later comparisons.
DILATED EYE EXAMINATIONS:
Why is it important? The colored part of your eye, the iris, is very similar to the shutter of a camera. When you take a picture on a bright sunny day, the shutter becomes smaller, allowing less light to enter. Likewise, your pupil becomes smaller when we shine a bright light at your eye, making it very difficult to peer inside and get the best view. That’s where the dilating drops come in.
The most complete eye examination is obtained with dilation drops which widen the pupils of the eyes to allow a closer and more careful look at the inside of the eye. This exam may not be part of an eye exam for a new pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses.
We recommend a baseline dilated examination for every patient, and especially for those with risk factors.
What is a risk factor? Anything that increases your chances of getting an eye disease.
Risk factors include a personal and/or family history of: diabetes; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; stroke or heart attack; multiple sclerosis; arthritis; lung, breast and prostate cancer; eye diseases; eye trauma; spots and floaters; on certain medications, including steroids and arthritis medications; and high amount of nearsightedness (myopia).
Be sure to ask us for a dilated eye exam if you have not had one for more than two years. People with special risk factors, such as diabetes, a previous eye trauma, surgery or a family history of glaucoma, may require a dilated eye exam more frequently.
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"The eye is the body's lamp. If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if your light is darkness, how deep will the darkness be." ~Matthew 6:22-23
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BEAUTIFUL FRAME GALLERY:
"Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten."
We have one of the largest frame galleries in the area with a diverse selection of designer frames and sunglasses for the whole family. Our extensive frame selection will fit most budgets of discerning patients.
We make it clear from the outset that those who want cheap eyewear need to find it elsewhere as we do not deal with low-end, inferior lines, as: "The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a low price."
Our designer frames include: Gucci, Prada, Calvin Klein, Seiko, Fendi, Maui Jim, Celine, Disney, Altair and more at affordable, non-Mall fees.
Our licensed optician and experienced staff provides styling to complement your lifestyle and visual needs and will maintain its precise adjustment on your face for their best optical performance -- and with a smile!
In an industry where confusion and misinformation is rampant, it's comforting to know you can get professional, honest and accurate answers to your eyewear questions from our staff.
We have an on-site optical lab for frame fitting, problem-solving and repairs. Outside prescriptions welcome.
Gift certificates are always available.
OPTICAL LABORATORY:
Our primary fabrication lab is a VSP-contracted laboratory and they are the BEST! We verify each job for accuracy BEFORE dispensing them.
This is our arrangement: if the lab messes up, they pay for the job, so they do their very best to get it RIGHT!
We do not believe in in-house, one-hour service. YOU JUST CAN'T RUSH QUALITY -- and think about it, there looms a conflict of interest whenever a "glasses-in-an-hour place" messes up. Do you really think they're going to 'fess up?
Eyeglass Chain Stores Put to the Test: Three of Four Major Chains Fail in Filling Prescription Glasses
GO TO: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/story?id=3820387&page=1
To view an eye-opening online VIDEO on a CONSUMER ALERT on eyeglasses from national retail chains, go to: http://multimedia.eyevertise.com/abc/index.asp
CONTACT LENSES:
We provide the full scope of contact lens needs and specialities, including astigmatism and bifocal fits.
Recently, we have had great success with SynergEyes contact lenses. Until now, there were only two choices in contact lenses: “Hard” (rigid gas permeable) lenses were best for crisp, clear vision, but were often irritating and uncomfortable. Soft lenses were the most comfortable, but often provided less-than-optimal vision. Now, a technological breakthrough makes having to choose a thing of the past.
SynergEyes hybrid contact lenses combine the best of both worlds. The “breathable” rigid center keeps eyes healthy while providing crisp, clear vision, even at night. The outer skirt gives you the all-day comfort of a soft lens.
LOW VISION SERVICES:
Low vision means that even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine, or surgery, people find daily tasks difficult to do. Millions of Americans lose some of their vision every year. Irreversible vision loss is most common over people over age 65.
Dr. Annalisa Fernando is providing low vision evaluations and rehabilitation services for those who have experienced vision loss. She has been residency trained specifically in geriatrics and low vision and completed her residency at the VA West LA Hospital.
VISION THERAPY SERVICES:
If your child is not working up to potential in school, there is a strong possibility that a vision problem might be present. According to experts, almost 50% of children with learning difficulties have some form of vision disorder, including problems with focusing, eye teaming, eye movements, and visual processing.
Dr. Sharon Mallari provides primary care, ocular disease detection, contact lens services and vision therapy services with an emphasis on pediatrics and caring for children with visually related learning difficulties.
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Types of Payment Accepted | We accept cash, personal checks, ATM, American Express®, MasterCard®, Visa®, and Discover®.
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Insurance Plans | We participate with VSP  and Medicare. MESC (Medical Eye Services). We accept MESC patients because we will not abandon our hardworking and dedicated teachers, school principals and employees in our (ABC) school district. Unlike most other school districts that generously provide VSP, which is *the* premium eyecare insurance, ABC does not. Although we are compensated significantly less by MESC compared to VSP (and with our one-hour exams, at a loss), we stand behind our non-VSP educators and provide them with the same high level of care as our VSP educators.
We apologize to those who have other plans, but we are committed to providing only the best of care. VSP is the top vision care provider (with the highest level of consumer satisfaction)which allows us to provide this kind of high-end care.
*Those of you with other plans, please go to your Human Resource Department and suggest that they consider adding VSP as an option for you or sign yourself up. If that doesn't produce results know that, as of 2007, you no longer have to work for a big company to sign up for VSP!
VSP Vision Care,
the nation’s largest eyecare
insurance provider with
48 million members,
has launched a new
direct-to-consumer
comprehensive eyecare.
This affordable plan is
perfect for those who do
not have access to VSP
coverage through their
employers — including
former VSP members and their
adult children, retirees, those on
Medicare, the self-employed and
their family members.
90% of our patients already enjoy
this excellent plan. We fully
endorse it! Check it out and sign up for it here:* (Cut and paste this URL into your browser) www.vsp.careington.com or call us for details:
562-860-1339
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Facilities and Equipment | OUR FACILITIES: Spacious and beautifully appointed, our office was designed for our patients. YOU are our valued guest and thus keeping things clean, neat and welcoming is important.
STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT: We're as good as our tools. Constantly updating and upgrading our equipment is a top priority in providing the best of care. Click on ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY page for more details on our equipment.
VISUAL FIELDS ANALYZERS(Humphries, Dikon, FDT): Used to test your peripheral vision; most sensitive tests we have for the detection of GLAUCOMA, RETINAL DETACHMENTS and NEUROLOGICAL disease.
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING / SCANNERS: GDx and HRT3 to test for neurological and retinal health and detect nerve disorders, including glaucoma and macular degeneration, as early as eight years ahead. Remember what every doctor knows: "Earlier detected, easier treated!"
DIGITAL RETINAL CAMERA: This has allowed us to save countless eyes -- and lives! We go the extra mile by photographing EVERY patient's eyes in order to provide the best of eye care, hands-down. No doctor can remember the incredible detail of every eye examined. But high quality digital photographs of the inner eye can!
This is how we've been able to detect even the most subtle of nuances of change that allow timely intervention before they get serious or irreversible.
Signs of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can first show up in the inner eye. Digital technology allows to to keep this photos as a permanent part of your medical record to be used for future comparisons and the earliest detection of change, allowing for early intervention and preventive measures.
This camera has been instrumental as the BEST way to detect LOW-TENSION GLAUCOMA -- most common in ASIANS -- which often goes undetected elsewhere.
OUR FINANCIAL POLICY
It is your responsibility to provide us with any current insurance, address and/or referral information and forms. If you are a VSP patient, we can check on your eligibility ahead of time.
All co-payments, co-insurances and non-covered services are due at the time of your appointment. If a determination of benefits cannot be established by the time of your visit, you are expected to pay in full for services rendered. We will reimburse to you any payment, subsequent to that date of service, your insurance company remits to our office.
If eyewear or contact lenses are ordered, a deposit of 50% is required. We place orders the same day. Any order cancellation is subject to a 25% restocking fee. The balance is due in full on the day of dispensing. Eyewear not picked up within 180 days will be considered abandoned and donated to the Lions Club with the deposit forfeited.
If your insurance company requires you to obtain a referral to see a specialist, you must present it on the date of your appointment (or earlier). If your claim is denied because a referral was required and none was obtained or if you fail to reply to a coordination of benefits request by your insurance company, you will be responsible for all charges incurred for that date of service. If your insurance carrier has not reached a decision within 90 days of billing, payment will be due in full from the patient. With your authorization we will furnish information to insurance carriers and other doctors concerning your treatment. They may also obtain pre-certifications and prior authorizations on the your behalf. We are authorized to receive payments for services rendered on behalf of the patient and/or their dependents. This authorization remains on file for all future treatments unless revoked by you in writing.
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Languages Spoken | Our staff speaks English, Spanish, Japanese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Hawaiian - Pidgin English (smile), and ... is LOVE spoken here? Absolutely.
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| EyeGlass Guide
EyeGlass Guide will help you better understand the many lens choices available to you. This on-line tool will guide you through a series of questions about you, your lifestyle and your specific eyewear needs. At the end, you'll receive eyewear suggestions specifically tailored to meet your needs. EyeGlass Guide brought to you by Transitions®
Photochromic Demonstrations
View an instant demonstration of Transitions® photochromic technology. See how lenses darken and fade back to clear to provide continual visual comfort and protection. Demonstrations brought to you by Transitions®
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