FAQ

We offer an after-hours on-call service should you experience an emergency and need to contact us. Call: 856-455-5500.

The following is a partial listing of insurance plans and companies SJEA participates with. If your insurance provider does not appear below, please contact our office to find out if we accept your plan.

• Aetna
• AmeriHealth
• Cigna
• Eye Med
• Healthnet
• Horizon Blue Cross & Blue Shield
• Medicare
• National Vision Administrators (NVA)
• Spectera
• Vision Advantage
• Vision Benefits of America (VBA)
• Vision Service Plan (VSP)

You can refer to our online pre-visit form to get an idea of the kind of additional information we like to know prior to your first visit. Your responses to these questions help us better address your vision needs at your first appointment.

You can make an appointment with us through our website, by phone at 856.455.5500, or even through our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/SouthJerseyEyeAssociates.

It’s not uncommon for patients to be unclear about the differences between
 optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians. All three types of eye care professionals are on staff at SJEA.

Optometrists (ODs), like Dr. Wuzzardo and Dr. Chappius, are 
primary healthcare practitioners qualified to diagnose and treat vision disorders and certain diseases of the eye. An optometrist prescribes
 eyewear, contact lens and some medications.

Ophthalmologists (MDs), like Dr. Lebowitz, are trained eye surgeons and 
physicians specializing in the medical and surgical treatment of vision
 disorders and diseases.

Registered Dispensing Opticians (RDOs), like the ones working in our
 optical department, are trained and accredited to fill prescriptions issued by our optometrists for corrective eyewear. Opticians, unlike optometrists and ophthalmologists, do not perform comprehensive eye exams.

Yes! SJEA’s eyewear division South Jersey Eyewear stocks a wide variety of safety glasses, goggles, and visors for both on-the-job and at-home conditions.  We can work with both you and your employer to address your safety needs in the workplace.

Regular comprehensive eye exams play an important part in maintaining your overall health and well-being. Your optometrist not only checks your vision to see if you need glasses; he also checks for eye diseases and other conditions that may not be exhibiting obvious symptoms to you yet. Catching these problems early greatly increases your chances of being able to manage or eliminate them. The eyes can also often show early indications of other diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, giving you the opportunity to avert problems before they start.

The Vision Council of America recommends that, even if you are not experiencing vision problems, you get a complete eye exam at least once every two years. Your optometrist may recommend more frequent regular exams if you display any risk factors that may affect your vision.

During the early weeks, months, and years of your baby’s life, your neonatologist and pediatrician will regularly exam your baby’s eyes as part of his or her routine check-ups. At six months of age, your baby should have a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist. If your child doesn’t display any vision problems, the next eye exam should follow at age three with another before first grade.

School-age children should see an optometrist at least once every two years—more frequently if they wear eyeglasses or experience vision difficulties. A child can be unaware of a vision problem affecting their ability to learn and succeed in school.

Children don’t always recognize when they’re experiencing vision problems, and a school nurse may not be able to detect them either.  The American Vision council recommends that your child receive a comprehensive eye exam if they fall into one of the following risk categories or display any of the following symptoms.

• Squinting, closing, or covering one eye
• Constantly holding materials close to the face
• Tilting the head to one side
• Rubbing eyes repeatedly
• One or both eyes turn in or out
• Redness or tearing in the eyes
• Premature birth
• Developmental delays
• Family history of “lazy eye” or “thick glasses”
• A disease that affects the whole body (such as diabetes, sickle cell, or HIV)