Appointment and Eye Exam FAQ
Comprehensive eye exams are $125 established patients or $145 for new patients (this includes digital retinal imaging).
We recommend the Optomap as an alternative to the dilation drops because it is more convenient and there are no side effects - blurriness and light sensitivity. Also, the optomap images are stored on file so the doctor can see if there have been any changes in the back of your eye from year to year.
While we occasionally have openings due to a patient rescheduling, our eye doctors’ appointment schedules are generally filled 1 to 3 weeks in advance. If you are in need of a same-day appointment, please contact our receptionist at 603-598-1620 (call or text) to see if any of our doctors have an open slot available today. We can also place your name on our special list of patients to notify in the event that another patient reschedules.
Yes, we offer our “club” discounts which works out to approximately 30% off our retail prices. 2nd pairs then have an additional discount of 20% off the club prices effectively making our club cheaper option as compared to vision insurances a fair amount of the time.
No. The doctor you are seeing today prefers to see the contacts settled on your eyes first. They will check the way they fit to make any necessary adjustments from there.
Yes, however, to avoid a violation of HIPAA some extra steps must be taken. You need to call and verbally confirm you want the Rx emailed to you then provide us the email you will be sending us a request form. Then send us an email requesting your Rx. The email you verbally state must match the one you send us a request form.
Yes and no. Vision therapy is not a service that we provide fully here at the moment. When Dr. Samuel starts to see patients full-time at the office we will offer vision therapy. For the moment we provide information to get started for in-home therapy or recommendations for a vision therapist optometrist nearby.
Insurance FAQs
This will vary depending on your plan. Some plans cover a set dollar amount, some discount or cover certain options. We can have an optician go over that with you.
Unfortunately no. Your insurance is contact between you and the insurance company. You or the HR manager where you work are the only people your insurance will talk to regarding your plan details or any changes you want to make/fix. We can review your benefits with you, but we cannot change them for you.
We recommend the Optomap as an alternative to the dilation drops because it is more convenient and there are no side effects - blurriness and light sensitivity. Also, the optomap images are stored on file so the doctor can see if there have been any changes in the back of your eye from year to year.
Please see our separate handout about medical vs. vision discount plans for more information or ask one of our staff.
Many of our patients present to our office with a vision discount plan (VSP or Eyemed) to cover their annual eye examination. Often vision discount plans are “carved out” of your medical insurance. For those of you who may not participate in a vision plan, you may schedule your visit under your medical insurance.
What is the difference?
Vision insurance may offer to pay for the majority of the cost of a routine eye exam when blurry vision, eye strain or headaches may be the problem. A routine eye exam is when your doctor checks your vision, analyzes your eyeglass/contact lens prescription and evaluates your entire eye health. Vision insurance may also cover some of the cost of materials, such as glasses or contact lenses. The frequency of your vision insurance coverage is typically limited to one exam per year.
If during your routine eye examination the doctor has concerns about potential medical conditions now or down the road, he/she may ask you to follow up for a medical office visit, for which you may use your medical insurance. Medical conditions can be anything from dry eyes to sight-threatening eye disease. Medical insurance is used when your doctor needs to perform more testing, special diagnostic procedures, or a follow- up visit to monitor a condition. Medical insurance will be submitted for as many visits and follow-ups as required for medical causes of blurry vision such as dry eyes, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Currently, we participate with the following insurance providers.
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Harvard Pilgrim
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Humana
- Eyemed (open access with Anagram) - call first or visit https://www.illumineyes.net/eyemed-anagram/
- VSP
Eyeglass and Optical FAQs
Yes, we offer our “club” discounts which work out to approximately 30% off our retail prices. 2nd pairs then have an additional discount of 20% off the club prices effectively making our club cheaper option as compared to vision insurances a fair amount of the time.
All of our frames are warranted for 1 year against any and all defects. However, some frames may become discontinued by the manufacturer and need to be replaced with a similar but different frame, this is out of our control.
We are more than happy to work with you. All eyeglasses we sell are custom made, we cannot order them unless half is put down, and they cannot be dispensed until they are paid in full. We also take Care Credit as a no or low-interest option for some patients.
There is a broad range of costs for eyewear depending on the options you choose. The most basic eyewear with a simple frame and lens can be as low as $149, while a top-of-the-line designer frame (such as Silhouette) with high definition optics can cost several hundred dollars. We offer options for every budget, and some of these options are unavailable elsewhere. We respect your desire to discover your best value, and we invite you to discuss your budget with our opticians. We have years of experience maximizing insurance benefits and medical flexible spending and will work within your budget. Ask about our second pair of discounts as well!
No. If we were to have the surface polished to remove the scratches, it would change the curve on the lens, changing the prescription of the lens.
Yes. An advantage to being an independent optical is we have accounts with several different labs, so we can get almost any brand of lens or coating.
Advancements in lens and lens processing technology have provided more options for materials and lens designs. Our opticians can discuss these options with you to help you understand, and get you the best lenses for your needs.
Most of the time, no. We can send a remote tracing of your frame to the lab and they can cut the shape of your lenses from that. However, there are some exceptions that would require us to send your frame to the lab directly.
The polarized sunglass lenses decrease glare and reflection while protecting your eyes from UV rays. This enables you to see more clearly. For instance, if you are looking at a lake, you see through the surface of the water instead of the reflection on the surface.
Just like a swiss army knife has a lot of functions, so do bifocals and progressives. However, computer glasses or computer type progressives are like having the perfect tool for the job. And with today's lifestyles, more and more time is spent in front of a computer. Specific glasses for computer work will alleviate much of the eye and neck strain most people are getting.
Attaining your PD is a professional service we provide when purchasing glasses from us. Our opticians have gone through extensive training and continuing education to ensure your glasses perform the way they are intended to work. For those who want to order glasses online, we do offer a 1-year service package for $50 which includes your PD, verifying your Rx and lenses were made correctly, and adjusting the frames on your head.
Your order will take between 7-10 business days (with some exclusions).
Technically, no you do not need to personally pick up your glasses. However, for your glasses to be adjusted to fit you properly it is best for you to be the one who picks them up.
No, your warranty does not cover loss. Your glasses are warranted against any and all defects for 1 year from the date of purchase. Your broken/defective frame must be sent back to the frame manufacturer.
Yes, you may put new lenses in an old frame if the optician thinks that the frame will last and that the lab will have no issues inserting new lenses.
Yes, however, we will not be responsible for any breakage of an old frame that you have requested we adjust for you (unless you purchased the frame from us within the past year). WE DO NOT ADJUST, VERIFY, OR EVALUATE ANY ONLINE PURCHASED EYEWEAR AS THERE IS NO PROVEN QUALITY CONTROL PRESENT.
Contact Lens FAQs
No. The doctor you are seeing today prefers to see the contacts settled on your eyes first. They will check the way they fit to make any necessary adjustments from there.
Wearing contact lenses puts you at higher risk for serious eye infections (5-10x more). The doctor needs to evaluate the health of your eye at least once a year to make sure your eyes are healthy enough to continue wearing lenses.
The doctor also checks that your habits are aligning with safe contact lens wear. Your contact lens rx will expire each year. To reinforce the importance of safe contact lens wear, laws were established nationwide in the 1990s after ocular infections were increasing dramatically to require valid contact lens prescriptions to expire after 1 year.
Comprehensive eye exams include tests that determine general eye health and refractive status (i.e. eyeglass needs). Contact lenses are medical devices that may have certain health implications if not prescribed correctly. Your Doctor must invest additional time and expertise to determine which contact lenses are in a patient’s best vision and health interest and, as you might imagine, there are additional fees for this service. Note: Sometimes this requires additional follow-up visits as well.
No, as a small business it becomes too burdensome to keep changing prices. Our prices are typically very competitive and we try to keep them fair compared to online or brick and mortar stores. We do have the ability to use your vision plan benefits and we do provide emergency trials to patients who purchase from us if necessary. WE can provide a quote if you ask.
Yes and no. It can be fine if ordering from one of the few large and reputable vendors, but there are a significantly larger amount of vendors who you will be taking risks in getting the wrong Rx, the wrong lenses, or even expired lenses. There is really no positive to ordering contacts online anymore as our service and prices will greatly outperform online vendors.
We offer
- Free shipping (and significantly faster)
- Instant patient loyalty savings
- Additional manufacturer rebates
- Utilize any vision insurance discounts (many times over $100 worth)
- We can exchange unopened boxes if your Rx changes,
- We will not sell your email address or store your credit card info for it to be stolen,
- We get new lenses from the factory (NOT discounted about to expire lenses),
- We can provide backups if you tear a lens or lose one before your next exam, and of course (online vendors will never do this)
- care for your eyes if you have any problems with the contacts or get an eye infection.