Name of the Procedure

• Common Name: Spherocylinder Bifocal Lens Prescription
• Technical Term: Spherocylinder, Bifocal, Sphere over Plus or Minus 12.00 diopters, per Lens (HCPCS Code V2214)

Summary

This procedure involves prescribing and fitting a specific type of bifocal eyeglass lens that corrects for significant refractive errors, both cylindrical (astigmatism) and spherical (nearsightedness or farsightedness) over plus or minus 12.00 diopters.

Purpose

• Medical Conditions Addressed: Severe myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
• Goals/Outcomes: To improve visual acuity by correcting significant refractive errors, enabling better near and distance vision simultaneously.

Indications

• Symptoms/Conditions: Blurred vision, double vision, eye strain, headaches due to high refractive errors.
• Patient Criteria: Patients with prescriptions exceeding plus or minus 12.00 diopters who require correction for both near and distance vision.

Preparation

• Pre-Procedure Instructions: Patient should have a comprehensive eye examination.
• Diagnostic Tests: Refraction test, visual acuity test, keratometry, and sometimes corneal topography.

Procedure Description

1. Eye Examination: Conduct a detailed eye examination and refraction test to determine the precise prescription.
2. Lens Prescription: Based on the test results, the optometrist will prescribe a bifocal lens with specific parameters to correct high-degree refractive errors.
3. Lens Fitting: The optometrist will measure the patient's pupillary distance (PD) and fit the lenses to a frame that suits the patient's face and visual needs.

• Tools/Equipment: Phoropter, auto-refractor, lensometer, trial lenses, pupilometer.
• Anesthesia/Sedation: Not applicable.

Duration

Approximately 1 hour for the eye examination and prescription. Additional time may be required for lens fitting and adjustments.

Setting

• Location: Optometrist's office or ophthalmology clinic.

Personnel

• Healthcare Professionals: Optometrist, optician.

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Initial discomfort or adaptation period, visual distortion during adjustment.
• Rare Risks: Incorrect prescription leading to persistent visual problems, lens defects.

Benefits

• Expected Benefits: Significant improvement in both near and distance vision.
• Realization Time: Immediate to a few days, as the patient adapts to the new lenses.

Recovery

• Post-Procedure Care: Regular use of the new bifocal lenses, follow-up visits for adjustments.
• Recovery Time: Adaptation period of a few days to weeks.

Alternatives

• Other Options: Monovision lenses, progressive lenses, LASIK surgery for eligible patients.
• Pros and Cons: Progressive lenses offer a seamless transition between different focal lengths but may be harder to adapt to; LASIK offers a surgical correction but carries surgical risks.

Patient Experience

• During Procedure: Patient may feel a bit uneasy or frustrated during the fitting process.
• After Procedure: Initial period of dizziness or visual distortion; mild headache as the eyes adjust; comfort measures include gradual increase in wearing time and following up regularly with the optometrist for any adjustments needed.