In June of 2012, I began to notice a decline in my vision. At the time my medical insurance was through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center’s Valley Care. Although I brought my vision loss to my doctor’s attention, I was only given eye drops and diagnosed as unspecified visual loss*. As my vision got worse, it became increasingly harder to read textbooks and impacted my mobility.
In May, 2013 my primary care doctor informed me that due to lack of funding the Valley Care program would be closing and all members would automatically be placed on Medi-Cal. I was advised that it would come in the mail. In November, 2013, I spent the Thanksgiving week at the urgent care on a daily basis due to an abscess. Finally, VMC staff admitted me on the
...th recurrent stroke. Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. 2009;29(2):111-8. Epub 2009/06/06.
Optometrists have accepted vision therapy, which is a medical treatment for optical muscle disabilities, as a feasible treatment used for eye related problems; claiming the treatment can strengthen vision and give the patient the opportunity to understand visuals quicker and clearer (Press). Vision therapy originated in the 1950s and over the past 25 years, has gained popularity, mainly because of new technological innovations in the field of treatment. Generally, vision therapy is prescribed as a measure mainly for people between the ages of 3 and 18. With the results from a comprehensive series of eye tests, the optometrist can work with the patient using special instruments—prisms, filters, occluders, and eye lenses—and strengthen the eye muscles, thus improving sight. According to optometrists in favor of vision therapy, these methods of treatment using these instruments function as safer routes to repair eye disabilities. Although vision therapy can yield favorable results, the practice as a treatment for innate eye disabilities has been in hot debate lately; as it can exceed $8000 and insurance companies do not cover the treatment. For decades, insurance companies have refused to accept vision therapy as a legitimate method for repairing eyesight (Boink). Concomitant with lack of insurance, the cost for a full treatment can exceed $8000, and doctors cannot guarantee a successful outcome. Recently, parents of children with eye related disabilities, such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (cross-eye), and doctors have attempted to cooperate with public schools to allow families access to school-funded doctors to practice vision therapy. With a tight budget, most schools cannot afford to supply vision therapy, and a...
According to Baily and Hall, while visual impairment early in life is associated with inherited congenital disorders, abnormal fetal devepment, and problems associated with premature birth, most eye conditions are associated with aging. They claim that over 70% of the visually impaired population in the United States is over 65. Age related maculopathy, also called macular degeneration, or AMD, impairs the center of vision in older individuals. The macula is the region in the back of the retina that surrounds and includes the fovea (Goldstein 1999). It is important to understand that when this degeneration progresses enough, the condition constitutes blindness because the foveal area is what is used to focus on something. Most cases do not progress this far, but between five and 20% do. Allikments and Shroyer claim that 11 million people in the United States alone suffer some degree of this impairment, with 75% of those individuals being 75 or older. Seven percent of this older age group reportedly suffer advanced forms. Freidman reports the disease as most common in developed countries.
About five years ago, my doctor told me I am a Type 2 diabetic. As a result, I have experienced an array of other health problems due to diabetes. My vision has gotten worse and I experience frequent toothaches. Recently, I was unable to receive treatment for my serious dental problem by a dentist. I had apses on the top and bottom of my mouth. As a result, I missed numerous days of class and my instructors almost dropped me from their class. Although, I received a doctor excuse from my primary physician, it does not make up for the lessons I missed because of my non-attendance from their class. I could not afford treatment for mouth infection at any dentist office, so I suffered in pain for days. Unfortunately, Medi-Cal will only pay for dental exams and tooth abstractions, but no other treatments. Even, optometry treatments are limited to only the cost of an exam. I understand that California needs to balance the state budget, but limiting and alleviating the coverage of Medi-Cal for low-income adults such as dental and optometry in order to restore the state budget is not the solution. Furthermore, the ability to afford dental and optometry treatment for low-income adults in California may not be obtainable especially, if we consider a family size combined with the annual income of a family. Besides, Medi-Cal is a state assistant program that provides the expense of treatment to low-income families who cannot afford treatment. Now, the government has decided that
Life revolves around being able to see things. Although individuals who are blind can lead a full and happy life, someone with excellent vision who suddenly loses theirs or notices a decrease in their visual acuity over time may find it difficult to adapt. Thankfully, with the help of an optometrist, individuals can actively work to preserve their vision for as long as possible. Phoenix Eye Care must be a priority for all, as advanced technology allows threats to the eyes to be detected as the earliest stage. The right treatment can help to slow or stop the progression before major issues develop. For this reason, every individual needs to undergo routine eye exams.
When it comes to sustaining physical health and well-being, routine eye care often gets overlooked. All too often, patients never consider going to an eye clinic and meeting with a reputable eye doctor until they find themselves suffering from some type of vision impairment. However, regardless of age and current physical condition, proper and consistent routine eye care is a critical component ensuring an individual's holistic health for a host of reasons.
Reinventing Healthcare-A Fred Friendly Seminar was produced in 2008. The film explores the current issues in health care at that time. This paper explores the issues that were addressed in the movie and compares them to the problems of health care today.
The two major components of Medicare, the Hospital Insurance Program (Part A of Medicare) and the supplementary Medical Insurance program (Part B) may be exhausted by the year 2025, another sad fact of the Medicare situation at hand (“Medicare’s Future”). The burden brought about by the unfair dealings of HMO’s is having an adverse affect on the Medicare system. With the incredibly large burden brought about by the large amount of patients that Medicare is handed, it is becoming increasingly difficult to fund the system in the way that is necessary for it to function effectively. Most elderly people over the age of 65 are eligible for Medicare, but for a quite disturbing reason they are not able to reap the benefits of the taxes they have paid. Medicare is a national health plan covering 40 mi...
My father made a successful recovery and I became inspired. I realized that having the gift of sight is something people take for granted. Therefore, when I embarked on my undergraduate journey, I partook in several activities to help foster my thirst for knowledge about optometry. For instance, I became the treasurer of the pre-optometry club at the University of Florida. As an executive board member, I opened doors for others to find their passion for optometry through managing our budget and finances to sponsor trips and activities. Meanwhile, I also worked as a secretary and shadowed at the Eye Associates of Orlando, where I gained practical knowledge. I also volunteered for the KidSight Vision Screening Program where I entered data of visio...
As an UConn graduate, I strive to practice UConn School of Nursing PRAXIS – professionalism, respect, accountability, excellence, integrity and service. Two weeks following the orientation on postpartum unit, I knew taking care of four mother-baby couplets overnight was not going to be an easy job at a level I trauma center, where we care for the sickest of the sick. After a thorough plan of care for each patient and tailoring it to their needs for the night, I felt more confident in my skills and time management. It wasn’t until I got a call from a 14 hour post-op c-section patient at 0455 complaining of dizziness, lightheaded, blurry vision and “feeling hot”, who an hour ago was walking to the bathroom, breastfeeding baby and eating with no complains of pain. I left my workstation behind to discover a pale, diaphoretic patient with low blood pressure. I froze. Screamed for resident down the hall. Rapid response team and more professionals were there in no time while I stood by my patient holding her hand, echoing the story to residents and attending MD I’ve told previously. After twenty minutes of stabilizing the patient and diagnosing at bedside with ultrasound and abdominal x-ray, the patient suffered internal hemorrhage from tubal ligation site. She was rushed to operating room. Speaking to her husband was even harder. I froze again. I sat on my knee, held his hand and cried with him. In
Timeliness in medical care can be of the utmost importance. Letting things progress can result in a slippery circle, where a minor infection, untreated end up being life threatening. With increased damage caused by neglecting health care, or waiting on a health care provider, the physical damage, and costs associated increase, often exponentially.
I had known for years that I wanted to work in the health care field, but I always believed it would be as a doctor. I watched for the first few years of my brother’s life as he struggled with different health challenges such as being born premature, having croup and breathing difficulty, and speech impairment. Watching my brother struggle and then being able to overcome these difficulties, as well as seeing other children around him who were not as fortunate, really pushed me even at a young age to make a difference. My family, both immediate and extended, were very supportive, and I felt a real positive push towards working hard to achieve that goal of working in health care. In high school, I was fortunate enough to do a cooperative placement at the Peterborough Regional Health Center’s Intensive Care Unit. Through observing rounds and being in the medical setting, I truly knew this is where I wanted to
Cataract surgery may be the most commonly performed procedure around the world, but not every case is routine; many patients present with retinal or corneal conditions that require surgeons to take extra precautions before, during and after surgery.
The patient is a 43 year-old female insurance sale agent who came to the clinic for annual eye examination. She complained from symptoms of ocular irritation and burning when she wakes up in the morning. She felt ocular dryness in the afternoon and the eyes look red. She has also noted different height of her eyelids when putting make-up on. She denied significant problems with driving, TV watching, computer use or reading. She also denied flashes, floaters or diplopia. The patient was myopia with no prior eye surgeries, previous history of eye trauma, amblyopia or strabismus. She did not use any medication. The past ocular family history was negative. Social history was negative, too.
The community I have served is a large group of primary 1 to 6 children from two primary schools in Sichuan. For the first school we visited, Yu Ying Primary School, most kids do not wear eyeglasses. In Diao Yuan Primary School, more learners have their eyeglasses put on. The kids were energetic, obedient and looked healthy. However, since it was in a town instead of a flourishing city like Hong Kong, the quality of life, in terms of health care awareness is lower than our city. It seemed their personal hygiene needs improvement as it influences a person’s health including eye care and health. By data collection, more than half of them have never gone for examinations on eyes though some have actual vision problems whereas childhood is the optimal age to some tests such as color vision. All these reflect low health awareness of the people and perhaps inadequate relevant facilities for them.