Here are some of our Frequently Asked Questions:
Are you open? What are your hours?
Yes, we’re open!
Our locations are open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. All locations have one late night a week where they are open until 7 p.m. to assist patients who may need to come in at a later time. Our Clermont and Lake Wales location both offer appointments on select Saturdays by appointment only. You can click on our Location link to see our individual locations with their hours of operation listed.
How soon can I be seen?
If you have an urgent need, we’ll prioritize your visit and see you as soon as possible. Please call our scheduling specialists at 800-282-3937 to assist you with scheduling your appointment. In some cases, we are able to provide virtual consultations through our Telehealth service. Many insurances cover the cost of the video exam, resulting in little or no out-of-pocket expense for you. All you need is a cell phone with video capabilities, and we’ll guide you through the entire process. Give us a call at 800-282-3937 to schedule an appointment or to see if a virtual consultation will be possible.
I don’t have any insurance; how much is an appointment?
The price of an appointment is based on the reason for the visit and if there are any medical needs for diagnostic testing to be done in addition to your office visit. The diagnostic testing can vary from 5 different levels. Therefore, it is hard to give an exact quote for the appointment. On average, routine eye exams without insurance start at $109, and Contact Lens evaluation (fitting) fees start at $40 in addition to the routine eye exam fee. Please refer to the next question for clarification on the contact lens evaluation fee. Again, if the exam is deemed medical or requires additional testing, the charges could increase. Please feel free to call 800-282-3937 to discuss your eye care needs to obtain a better idea of visit costs.
What is a contact lens evaluation (fitting) fee?
FDA has recognized contact lenses as “medical devices” which must be fit by a professional eye care practitioner. Contact lenses require a separate prescription from glasses and also require additional information since the lenses are worn directly on the eyes. During the exam, the doctor will calculate the powers for your contact lens prescription based on your refraction. The size and shape of the lenses will be determined by measurements of your cornea. The doctor will then evaluate the lenses on your eye to ensure they are fitting appropriately and will assess the condition of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, and tear film in order to achieve the optimal prescription. New wearers will require additional training on proper care and handling of the lenses. There will be a fee that covers the extra tests performed by the doctor, along with any necessary follow-up visits and trial lenses. This fee will be in addition to the regular comprehensive eye exam fee. Only some insurance companies cover this fee as they view contact lenses as elective/cosmetic correction. The complexity of the evaluation and prescription determines the cost.
What insurances do we accept?
Please see our list of insurances we accept here.
What does Refraction mean?
Refraction is a measurement that determines the best vision in each eye. The test is necessary if you would like to have a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses or if you have had a change in your vision. Determining your best vision is the only way to begin an evaluation of your eye health so that we will check your vision with your glasses on or contact lenses in. We perform refractions utilizing precise and highly technical instruments, as well as the expertise of our doctors and certified ophthalmic assistants. More time is spent on refraction used for a glasses prescription to ensure accuracy.
Why doesn’t my insurance cover the fee for the refraction?
Medicare and many other insurance plans consider refraction to be a diagnostic vision test, therefore not covered under their medical coverage, so this amount is charged separately and is paid directly by the patient. Medicare secondary insurance plans will also not pay the charge since it is not a Medicare-covered service. The refraction fee is a separate fee from the eye examination fee and is due at the time of service, along with any copay or co-insurance required by your insurance plan.
What is my PD measurement?
The PD (pupillary distance) is the horizontal distance between your pupils. This measurement is needed to properly align the prescription lenses within the eyewear frame to ensure the lenses are made properly. The PD measurement is required to make lenses, it is not part of the eye exam performed by my optometrist/ophthalmologist and is not part of the measurement taken to determine my glasses prescription (refraction). The PD measurement is taken by our licensed opticians or optical associates. Patients who want to purchase their eyewear elsewhere, may pay a fee to receive this service which also includes an analysis of your eyewear once you receive them to evaluate the accuracy of your prescription and the proper alignment of your PD as well as provide fitting adjustments. For more information, please visit any of our optical departments.
My glasses broke. Can I bring them in for repair?
Yes, please visit any of our optical departments – no appointment needed. Our optical associates will be able to help with adjustments, cleanings, replacing nose pads or screws. They are happy to assist in helping you fix or replace your glasses so you can continue to see your best!
Thank you for allowing us to care for your special eyes!
