Ophthalmology is an area of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye. Doctors who specialize in ophthalmology (ophthalmologists) handle all the medical aspects of eye care, including treatment, surgery and the prescription of contact lenses and glasses.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions. They provide advanced services and treatments, including performing surgery.

An optometrist is a medical professional who tests for vision and eye health issues, and can provide treatment. If more specialized care is needed, they can connect you with an ophthalmologist.

We encourage you to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist for an eye exam and consultation to determine if you’re a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery.

The FDA requires patients to be 18 years or older, but recommends they wait until their mid-20’s. Our doctors can help you assess your vision and eye health before recommending next steps.

We accept most health insurance plans, but it’s always good to call your insurance company before scheduling an appointment to understand which services your insurance plan covers.

Here are tips to help you better understand what may or may not be covered under your insurance plan.

1. Understand your eye care exam

Your health insurance company will want to know if you’re receiving routine eye care or medical eye care. If you’re seeking specialty care with an ophthalmologist, you’re likely receiving medical eye care.

Medical eye care can include follow-up care, regular monitoring, additional tests, referral to a surgeon and other services. Most health insurance plans will cover some medical eye care and your bill will depend on how much your individual health insurance plan covers.

2. Do you have a separate vision insurance plan?

Vision insurance is a benefit offered by some employers. We do not accept these plans:

• Davis
• EyeMed
• Spectera
• VSP

3. Before you arrive at your ophthalmology appointment

Before your opthalmology appointment, please be prepared to have your insurance card(s) and ID with you. You'll also want to know your insurance plan’s specific rules regarding:

• Approved providers
• Authorizations
• Covered services
• Out-of-pocket payments
• Referrals

With some insurance plans, you may need to pay a copay at the time of your eye exam.