FAQ
Do you take my insurance?
We accept most Medical and Vision Plans. Some common ones include Cigna, Aetna, BCBS, Davis, VSP, Eyemed, or Spectera. For a more comprehensive list, check out our "Insurance" tab above! Don't see yours listed? Feel free to give us a call to double check!
I thought my exam was covered, why am I receiving a bill?
In most cases, this is because we have billed your medical insurance. If your exam is covered, that simply means our office is In-Network for your plan. Your specialist co-pay will be due at the time of your exam (you may have a $0 Co-pay) and then your insurance will determine if there is any remaining patient responsibility. 99% of the time, the remaining patient responsibility goes toward your deductible which MUST be paid in full before your insurance pays for the exam. If you're not sure if your plan has a deductible, your insurance will likely have a website or phone number to call for more information. If you have further questions about your statement, please let us know! Our team is available during our normal business hours by e-mail or by phone.
Is there a cancellation policy?
Yes. We require at least 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule. The cancellation / reschedule fee is $25 if less than 48 hours notice.
I don't have insurance, can I still schedule an exam?
Absolutely! We offer a discount. With the discount, a regular Annual Exam starts at $99, an Annual Exam with Contact Lenses starts at $159, and a Medical/Problem Focused Exam starts at $109.
What should I bring to my exam?
If you are a new patient, we will need to scan your photo ID and your insurance cards (both Vision and Medical). If you can, please also bring your most recent pair of glasses, contact lens boxes, and/or copies of your most recent prescription.
Do I have to be dilated?
Dilation is FREQUENTLY recommended by our office, this is often a part of the medical portion of your exam. If we don't perform the dilation test on your first visit, we may schedule a second appointment for this test. If we schedule another appointment, we may bill your medical insurance for that visit. Please keep this in mind when scheduling your appointment.
Please let us know if you will need to schedule a separate appointment for your pupil dilation. Your eyes will remain dilated for at least 4 hours and most people are comfortable to drive afterwards (distance vision remains less affected). Your vision will be blurry for reading up close and you will be sensitive to light. If you are not comfortable with driving afterwords, please plan accordingly.
Can I use my own frame and just update the lenses with a new prescription?
In many cases, yes! We are able to do a Lens Only order. One of the Opticians will need to review your frame to see if it will be able to withstand the lab procedures for your order. Generally, if the frame (plastic or metal) is 3 years or older, we strongly recommend purchasing a new frame since that is when issues with frame integrity start to rise. If the Optician determines that the frame is able to be sent to the lab you'll sign a waiver in office and the frame will be sent off for about 2 weeks.
Can I bring a copy of my prescription from somewhere else?
Absolutely! You can have glasses made at our office even if your prescription was done somewhere else.
Why do I have to have a Contact Lens Fitting every year if I still like my contacts?
A Contact Lens Fitting is just what the contact lens portion of your annual exam is called. Prescriptions in Virginia are only valid for one full year; please also note that it's important to get your eyes checked by your provider once a year to check the health of your eyes as well as to see if any major or minor adjustments need to be made for your prescription. If you would like to order contacts you will need a valid Contact Lens prescription (they are different from Eyeglass prescriptions!) and a Contact Lens Fitting and Evaluation every year.
What should I do with my old glasses after I get a new pair?
Any unused or out of date glasses you have can be brought into our office where they will be donated to the Lion's Club! The Lion's Club and other volunteers collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERCs). LERC volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses. Recycled glasses are distributed to people in need in low and middle income communities where they will have the greatest impact. So feel free to bring old glasses to our office and help the Lion's recycle for sight!
Can you make glasses with Fresnel Prism?
Absolutely! Our office can make glasses with Fresnel Prism.
Do you offer special color vision testing such as the Lanthony D-15 Color Test?
Yes! Our office provides additional color vision testing as required by your occupation or job application.
We accept most Medical and Vision Plans. Some common ones include Cigna, Aetna, BCBS, Davis, VSP, Eyemed, or Spectera. For a more comprehensive list, check out our "Insurance" tab above! Don't see yours listed? Feel free to give us a call to double check!
I thought my exam was covered, why am I receiving a bill?
In most cases, this is because we have billed your medical insurance. If your exam is covered, that simply means our office is In-Network for your plan. Your specialist co-pay will be due at the time of your exam (you may have a $0 Co-pay) and then your insurance will determine if there is any remaining patient responsibility. 99% of the time, the remaining patient responsibility goes toward your deductible which MUST be paid in full before your insurance pays for the exam. If you're not sure if your plan has a deductible, your insurance will likely have a website or phone number to call for more information. If you have further questions about your statement, please let us know! Our team is available during our normal business hours by e-mail or by phone.
Is there a cancellation policy?
Yes. We require at least 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule. The cancellation / reschedule fee is $25 if less than 48 hours notice.
I don't have insurance, can I still schedule an exam?
Absolutely! We offer a discount. With the discount, a regular Annual Exam starts at $99, an Annual Exam with Contact Lenses starts at $159, and a Medical/Problem Focused Exam starts at $109.
What should I bring to my exam?
If you are a new patient, we will need to scan your photo ID and your insurance cards (both Vision and Medical). If you can, please also bring your most recent pair of glasses, contact lens boxes, and/or copies of your most recent prescription.
Do I have to be dilated?
Dilation is FREQUENTLY recommended by our office, this is often a part of the medical portion of your exam. If we don't perform the dilation test on your first visit, we may schedule a second appointment for this test. If we schedule another appointment, we may bill your medical insurance for that visit. Please keep this in mind when scheduling your appointment.
Please let us know if you will need to schedule a separate appointment for your pupil dilation. Your eyes will remain dilated for at least 4 hours and most people are comfortable to drive afterwards (distance vision remains less affected). Your vision will be blurry for reading up close and you will be sensitive to light. If you are not comfortable with driving afterwords, please plan accordingly.
Can I use my own frame and just update the lenses with a new prescription?
In many cases, yes! We are able to do a Lens Only order. One of the Opticians will need to review your frame to see if it will be able to withstand the lab procedures for your order. Generally, if the frame (plastic or metal) is 3 years or older, we strongly recommend purchasing a new frame since that is when issues with frame integrity start to rise. If the Optician determines that the frame is able to be sent to the lab you'll sign a waiver in office and the frame will be sent off for about 2 weeks.
Can I bring a copy of my prescription from somewhere else?
Absolutely! You can have glasses made at our office even if your prescription was done somewhere else.
Why do I have to have a Contact Lens Fitting every year if I still like my contacts?
A Contact Lens Fitting is just what the contact lens portion of your annual exam is called. Prescriptions in Virginia are only valid for one full year; please also note that it's important to get your eyes checked by your provider once a year to check the health of your eyes as well as to see if any major or minor adjustments need to be made for your prescription. If you would like to order contacts you will need a valid Contact Lens prescription (they are different from Eyeglass prescriptions!) and a Contact Lens Fitting and Evaluation every year.
What should I do with my old glasses after I get a new pair?
Any unused or out of date glasses you have can be brought into our office where they will be donated to the Lion's Club! The Lion's Club and other volunteers collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERCs). LERC volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses. Recycled glasses are distributed to people in need in low and middle income communities where they will have the greatest impact. So feel free to bring old glasses to our office and help the Lion's recycle for sight!
Can you make glasses with Fresnel Prism?
Absolutely! Our office can make glasses with Fresnel Prism.
Do you offer special color vision testing such as the Lanthony D-15 Color Test?
Yes! Our office provides additional color vision testing as required by your occupation or job application.