Frequently Asked Questions

We provide comprehensive eye care including routine eye exams, cataract surgery, LASIK and vision correction, dry eye treatment, cornea care, glaucoma management, diabetic eye exams, and oculofacial plastic surgery. Our team of board-certified ophthalmologists offers both medical and surgical eye care for patients of all ages.

Adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years, or more frequently if you have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease. After age 60, annual exams are recommended. If you wear glasses or contacts, yearly exams help ensure your prescription is current.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in eye and vision care, including surgery. They complete 4 years of medical school plus 4+ years of residency and can perform eye surgery. An optometrist (OD) completes optometry school and provides eye exams, prescribes glasses/contacts, and treats some eye conditions but does not perform surgery.

In most cases, no referral is needed to see an ophthalmologist. However, some insurance plans, particularly HMOs, may require a referral from your primary care doctor. We recommend checking with your insurance company or calling our office, and we can help verify your coverage requirements.

Please bring your insurance card, photo ID, a list of current medications, any previous eye records or test results, and your current glasses or contacts. If you'll be having your eyes dilated, arrange for someone to drive you home or plan to use public transportation, as your vision may be blurry for a few hours.

Yes! Our doctors and staff are fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese. We're proud to serve the diverse community of Flushing and surrounding areas. If you prefer to communicate in Mandarin, please let us know when scheduling your appointment.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens that develops gradually over time. Common symptoms include blurry vision, faded colors, increased glare from lights, difficulty seeing at night, frequent prescription changes, and seeing halos around lights. Cataracts are typically diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam.

Cataract surgery is recommended when cataracts significantly affect your quality of life or ability to perform daily activities. This includes difficulty driving (especially at night), trouble reading, problems with work tasks, or when cataracts interfere with treatment of other eye conditions. Your ophthalmologist will help determine the right timing for you.

No, cataract surgery is not painful. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with numbing eye drops, and you may receive light sedation to help you relax. Most patients report feeling slight pressure but no pain during the 15-20 minute procedure. Any mild discomfort after surgery is easily managed with eye drops.

Premium IOLs are advanced artificial lenses that can correct multiple vision problems during cataract surgery. Options include toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocal lenses for near and far vision, and extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses. While standard monofocal lenses are covered by insurance, premium IOLs have additional out-of-pocket costs but may reduce your dependence on glasses.

Most patients notice improved vision within 24-48 hours after surgery. Full recovery takes about 4-6 weeks. During this time, you'll use prescription eye drops and avoid strenuous activities, swimming, and rubbing your eyes. Most people can return to normal activities within a few days and drive within a week if cleared by their doctor.

No, once a cataract is removed, it cannot return. However, some patients develop "posterior capsule opacification" (PCO), sometimes called a "secondary cataract," where the membrane behind the lens implant becomes cloudy. This is easily treated with a quick, painless laser procedure called YAG capsulotomy, which takes just minutes.

Good LASIK candidates are typically 18 or older with stable vision for at least one year, have healthy eyes without conditions like keratoconus or severe dry eye, and have adequate corneal thickness. You should not be pregnant or nursing. A comprehensive evaluation will determine if LASIK, PRK, or EVO ICL is best for your eyes.

LASIK creates a corneal flap and reshapes the underlying tissue with a laser for quick recovery. PRK removes the surface layer of the cornea before laser reshaping, with slower recovery but better for thin corneas. EVO ICL implants a lens inside the eye without removing any tissue, ideal for high prescriptions, thin corneas, or dry eye patients. It's also reversible.

Yes, LASIK permanently reshapes your cornea. However, your eyes can still change over time due to aging. Some patients may experience slight regression over years. Age-related conditions like presbyopia (needing reading glasses after 40) and cataracts will still develop naturally. Most patients enjoy lasting results for many years.

Most LASIK patients see dramatic improvement within 24 hours and can return to most activities the next day. Vision continues to stabilize over 1-3 months. You'll need to use eye drops as prescribed and avoid rubbing your eyes. Follow-up appointments ensure your healing is progressing well.

LASIK is one of the safest elective procedures, but risks include temporary dry eyes, glare, halos around lights, and night vision issues. Serious complications are rare (less than 1%). Proper patient selection and advanced technology minimize risks. During your consultation, we'll discuss all potential risks and determine if you're a good candidate.

EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a vision correction procedure where a biocompatible lens is implanted behind your iris. It's ideal for patients with high prescriptions (-3 to -20D), thin corneas, dry eyes, or those who aren't LASIK candidates. Benefits include excellent night vision, UV protection, and the procedure is reversible if needed.

Dry eye occurs when your tears don't provide adequate lubrication. Causes include aging, hormonal changes, medications (antihistamines, antidepressants), screen time and reduced blinking, contact lens wear, environmental factors (dry air, wind), autoimmune conditions, and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Often, multiple factors contribute.

This is called "reflex tearing." When your eyes are dry and irritated, they respond by producing a flood of watery tears. However, these emergency tears lack the oils and mucus needed to properly lubricate your eyes, so they don't relieve the dryness and simply overflow. Treating the underlying dry eye stops this cycle.

Dry eye is typically a chronic condition that can be effectively managed but not permanently cured. With proper treatment including prescription drops, lifestyle changes, and advanced therapies like punctal plugs or LipiFlow, most patients achieve significant relief and improved quality of life. Consistent treatment is key to maintaining comfort.

MGD occurs when the oil glands in your eyelids become blocked or produce poor-quality oils. These oils normally form the outer layer of your tear film, preventing evaporation. MGD is the leading cause of dry eye, responsible for up to 86% of cases. Treatments include warm compresses, lid hygiene, and procedures like LipiFlow to restore gland function.

For mild dry eye, preservative-free artificial tears may provide adequate relief. However, many patients need prescription medications like Restasis or Xiidra, or procedures like punctal plugs to effectively manage their symptoms. Overusing preserved drops can actually worsen dry eye. If OTC drops aren't helping, it's time to see a specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

When focusing on screens, we blink about 60% less than normal. This incomplete blinking allows tears to evaporate faster and prevents proper meibomian gland function. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Also practice complete blinks and consider using artificial tears when doing prolonged screen work.

We accept most major medical insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Oxford, and many others. We also accept vision plans for routine eye exams and glasses/contacts. Please call our office or check our insurance page to verify your specific plan is accepted.

Yes, cataract surgery is considered medically necessary and is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. This includes the surgery itself and a standard monofocal lens implant. Premium IOLs (toric, multifocal, EDOF) and laser-assisted surgery have additional out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance. We'll provide a detailed cost breakdown during your consultation.

LASIK is typically considered an elective procedure and is not covered by most medical insurance plans. However, some vision plans and employers offer discounts or benefits for LASIK. We offer flexible payment plans and financing options to make vision correction affordable. Schedule a consultation for a personalized quote.

Yes, we offer flexible payment options for procedures not fully covered by insurance. We accept major credit cards and can discuss payment arrangements for larger procedures. Ask our staff about available financing options during your consultation. We believe cost shouldn't prevent you from getting the care you need.

Medical insurance covers eye conditions and diseases (cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, infections, diabetic eye exams). Vision insurance covers routine eye exams for glasses/contacts and provides discounts on eyewear. If you have symptoms or a medical eye condition, your visit is typically billed to medical insurance, which often has better coverage for eye care.

You can pay your bill securely online through our patient portal or by visiting our online payment page. We accept all major credit cards. If you have questions about your bill or need to set up a payment plan, please contact our billing department at (929) 533-1633.