Do you see adults?

Yes! We see patients of any age.

Is my insurance accepted?

For a routine eye exam and glasses, we are in-network with Moda Vision and Medicaid (PacificSource Community Solutions and Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization- eocco). If you have other vision plans, we can help you submit for out-of-network benefits.

Medical insurance is billed for a medically related eye exam and vision therapy. We are in-network with Providence Health Plan, PacificSource Health Plans, Blue Cross (Regence, etc), Bridgespan, Moda Health, Medicare, and Medicaid.

My child had a vision screening at school or the pediatrician’s office. Do they still need an eye exam?

According to the Vision Council of America, 1 in 4 school-aged children has a vision problem that can interfere with learning, behavior and physical coordination. This is significant because 80 percent of the information a child learns in school is presented visually. Vision screenings can miss up to half of these vision problems.

If your child has never had an eye exam with an optometrist, the first step is a comprehensive exam. Dr. Hartman will examine your child’s eye health as well as how clearly he or she can see, and determine if glasses are needed. In addition, Dr. Hartman can ensure your child is not struggling with an undiagnosed vision problem.

If your child is struggling with reading and learning, has an eye turn (strabismus) or lazy eye (amblyopia), Dr. Hartman may recommend a vision therapy evaluation.

What is a vision therapy evaluation?

Our evaluation begins with a detailed questionnaire that can be submitted online or dropped off at our office prior to your visit. Any additional information (school performance testing, prior eye examination records, therapy reports) is extremely helpful for the doctor to review before your visit.

Expect your appointment with the doctor to last for about an hour. Some testing will be familiar, such as reading the letters on an eye chart and being checked for a glasses prescription. The rest of the evaluation is more specialized.

The purpose of this testing is to determine if visual information is being acquired comfortably, clearly, accurately, and efficiently. Reading and learning requires the two eyes to be able to focus correctly, align together, and track efficiently. This testing determines if there is a disorder affecting how the muscles and nerves in the eye are functioning to receive visual information.

What is a visual information processing evaluation?

This testing identifies difficulties in processing visual information and the ability of the individual to integrate this information with their other senses. Visual information processing abilities are extremely important in the classroom and in the workplace. Typically, patients need to allow an hour for this testing, although it can take longer depending on the individual.

What is vision therapy?

Vision therapy is safe, drug-free, and effective for both children and adults. While visual acuity (the "20/20" part of vision) requires glasses, contacts, or surgery to improve, visual skills such as eye coordination and tracking together along a line of text must be learned during visual development. These visual skills can also be improved later in life at any age.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from head trauma or stroke can cause a disruption in communication between the eyes and the brain. Studies indicate that over 90% of TBI patients experience some form of vision disruption. Vision therapy is an integral part of the rehabilitation team for people who have had a TBI.

How long does vision therapy take?

In-office Vision Therapy sessions are typically 50 minutes once per week and are one on one, with the vision therapist and the patient. Vision therapy includes the use of special lenses, exercises, and equipment. Many of the training exercises will be sent home for practice in between office visits. The more practice and repetition on the prescribed exercises, the faster the results of vision therapy.

What are primitive reflexes?

A reflex is an immediate, involuntary response evoked by a particular stimulus. We do not control reflex responses, they operate without conscious thought. Primitive reflexes are a set of motor reflexes found in newborn babies. They develop in utero and are essential for the birthing process, support early survival, and are vital in early development. They each play a role in developing early functionality such as rolling over, sitting up, standing, and walking. These reflexes are called primitive because they are mediated or arise from the brain stem and spinal cord (the “primitive” areas of the central system). All babies are tested for the presence of these reflexes at birth. These reflexes should inhibit as brain development progresses. They don’t fully disappear, rather they form the basis for the adult postural reflexes. If they do not inhibit, multiple challenges can arise. Retained primitive reflexes can be part of the root cause for poor eye tracking, inability to sit still in a chair, difficulty learning to ride a bike, poor handwriting, and bed-wetting as a few examples. 

What is visual field expansion therapy?

Visual Field Expansion Therapy (also known as Syntonics) is a color light therapy that utilizes standard color filters to treat specific functional vision conditions. The object of the color of light is to bring the visual system into balance by activating aspects of the central nervous system.