Vision Glossary
Do you need help deciphering your vision claim? Our glossary of terms can help you with the difference between lenticular lens to photochromic lenses.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Anti-Reflective Coating: A common lens coating that allows more light to pass through the lens, cutting down on glare and distracting reflections. This coating is good for night driving and is also cosmetically appealing because it allows others to see your eyes rather than the light reflection off the lenses.
Back to Top
Benefits: Specific dollar amounts reimbursed or specific discounts for each covered product or service.
Bifocal Lenses: Lenses prescribed for those who need correction for both far away and up close.
Back to Top
Claim: A request for payment of benefits.
Conventional Contact Lenses: Contact lenses designed for long: term use (up to one year); can be either daily or extended wear.
Copay: A specified dollar amount a member must pay out: of: pocket for a specified service at the time of service.
Back to Top
Dependent: A member’s spouse and/or child who meets the dependent criteria outlined by your employer/plan sponsor.
Disposable Contact Lenses: Contact lenses designed to be thrown away daily, weekly, bi: weekly, monthly or quarterly.
Back to Top
Eligible: Qualified to receive benefits during a specified date range
Back to Top
High Index: A lighter, thinner lens material offered to those with very high prescriptions.
Back to Top
Lens Add on/Option: Any option that does not come with the basic lens. This includes, but is not limited to, polycarbonate, scratch: resistant coating, tint and UV coating. May also be referred to as an “option” or “upgrade.” Add: ons listed on a plan are considered standard. Most add: ons also have premium options available.
Lenticular Lens: An infrequently: used technology needed in situations that require a high plus power that cannot be achieved with a traditional lens. This technology involves bonding one lens to the center of another to reach the correct power.
Back to Top
Medically Necessary Contact Lenses: Contact lenses are defined as medically necessary if the individual is diagnosed with one of the following specific conditions:
- Anisometropia of 3D in meridian powers
- High Ametropia exceeding –10D or +10D in meridian powers
- Keratoconus when the member’s vision is not correctable to 20/25 in either or both eyes using standard spectacle lenses.
- Vision improvement other than Keratoconus for members whose vision can be corrected two lines of improvement on the visual acuity chart when compared to the best corrected standard spectacle lenses
- All requests for medically necessary contact lenses must be submitted by network provider for review and approval by our Medical Director before a claim will be processed for the service.
Back to Top
Network (In: Network): The doctors, clinics, health centers, medical group practices, facilities and other professional providers that a managed care organization has selected and contracted with to provide health care for its members. In the case of EyeMed, our network includes opticians, credentialed optometrists, and ophthalmologists who can provide services and/or prove glasses and contacts covered under the plan.
Back to Top
Out: of: Network (OON) Provider: A professional provider who is not in the network of approved/credentialed providers.
Back to Top
Patient Allowance: A fixed amount of dollars that may be applied toward the payment for a professional service and/or material as specified by the benefit.
Photochromic Lenses: Lenses that change color based on different levels of light. When the lenses are exposed to sunlight they darken; when exposed to lower light (indoors), they lighten.
Plastic (Basic Lens Material): The most widely used lens material because it is lighter in weight than glass.
Polarized Lenses: A common lens add: on that cuts down on glare from the sun. Ideal for driving or outdoor activities, especially water and snow sports.
Polycarbonate: A commonly used lighter, thinner lens material that helps create a more impact: resistant lens.
Progressive Lenses: Multifocal lenses with no lines. Available in both standard and premium brands.
Provider: An optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist who is able to provide services or materials to someone with EyeMed benefits.
Back to Top
Scratch Resistant Coating: A common lens coating that helps reduce scratches on the lenses.
Single Vision Lenses: Lenses prescribed for those who only need correction for one field of vision: either far away or up: close.
Back To Top
Tint: A common lens add: on that reduces the light that enters the eyes; can be doctor recommended or for fashion purposes.
Trifocal Lenses: Lenses prescribed for those who need correction for three fields of vision: far away, up: close and intermediate.
Back To Top
UV Coating: A common eyeglass lens coating that protects eyes from harmful ultraviolet light.
Back To Top