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    Vision Dictionary

    Below is an alphabetical listing of common vision terms.

    ANISOMETROPIA

    A condition of unequal refractive state for the two eyes; one eye requiring a different lens correction than the other.

    APPROVED LABORATORIES 

    Laboratories contracted with VBA Vision to manufacture lenses

    BENEFICIARY

    The participant, eligible spouse and eligible unmarried child(ren) (if dependent coverage is provided) of the subscriber contract for the program

    BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR

    Person at the employer’s office who manages eligibility

    BLENDED LENSES

    Bifocals which do not have a visible dividing line

    COATED LENSES

    A substance which is added to a finished lens on one or both surfaces

    CREDENTIALING

    Process that verifies provider’s qualifications

    DILATION

    Gives doctors a better view of the eye’s internal structures

    DISPENSE

    Distribute products ordered according to prescription and ensure proper fit

    ELIGIBILITY

    Member or dependent is an active member on the plan and is authorized to receive services according to plan schedule and usage

    EYE EXAM

    Eye exam includes an evaluation of complete history of the patient, external examination of the eyes, internal examination of the eyes, objective and subjective refraction and visual acuity, muscle balance and fusion evaluation with near point tests, depth and color perception tests, tonometry

    MATERIALS

    Lenses, frame, low vision aids contact lenses

    MEMBER SERVICES

    Customer care support to our members (employees and their families)

    MEMBER

    Employee covered for a VBA Vision care plan through their employer

    OPHTHALMOLOGIST

    Medical doctor (DO or MD) specializing in surgical eye problems

    OPTICAL LAB

    Optical lens laboratory is where lenses are fabricated to correct a patient’s refractive error

    OPTOMETRIST

    An eye doctor who earned a Doctor of Optometry degree (OD) and examines eyes for vision and health problems, corrects refractive errors by prescribing eye glasses or contact lenses

    ORTHOPTICS

    The teaching and training process for the improvement of visual perception and coordination of the two eyes for efficient and comfortable binocular vision.

    OUT-OF-NETWORK CLAIM

    A form which is used to submit for out-of-network reimbursement when the beneficiary selects a doctor not in the VBA Vision network

    PARTICIPANT

    The employee(s), member(s) of the subscriber who contracted for the program

    PARTICIPATING DOCTOR

    Providers who accept vision insurance through VBA Vision

    PARTICIPATING PROVIDER

    Providers who accept vision insurance through VBA Vision

    PARTICIPATING PROVIDER AGREEMENT

    Lists the rights and obligations for providers

    PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES

    Lenses which change color with intensity of sunlight

    PLAN RATE AND LIMIT SCHEDULE

    Schedule of provider reimbursements, the charges to the patient and more thoroughly explains plan policies

    PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION

    (PPO) An insurance plan with a panel of eligible providers

    PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

    Examination, material selection, fitting of glasses, related to adjustments, etc.

    PROVIDER

    The optometrists, ophthalmologists and retail optical locations

    PROVIDER APPLICATION

    Document required in order for a provider to be added to the network

    PROVIDER RELATIONS

    Group of dedicated representatives on staff to answer provider questions 

    SUBSCRIBER OR CONTRACT HOLDER

    “Subscriber” refers to the entity that contracts with VBA Vision on behalf of its participant and in some cases is referred to as “Contract Holder”

    TINTED LENSES

    Lenses which have additional substance added to produce constant tint (e.g. pink, green, gray, blue, etc.)

    VISUAL ACUITY 

    The sharpness of retinal focus within the eye (20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity)