Comprehensive eye care isn’t just for grownups, and it’s not just for those who need glasses or contacts. Because everyone needs eye exams and vision care, it makes sense to find one provider that can take care of your whole family.
Ask these questions to find the best eye care services for your family.
Do they welcome children and work well with kids of all ages?
There are special considerations when taking kids to an eye doctor or other healthcare provider. As a parent, you can surely attest to the value of finding someone who not only provides the highest quality care, but who will also take extra steps to make your children feel at ease during the exam process.
While many eye doctors are qualified to detect vision problems in children, look for someone who will take the time to explain to both you and your child what to expect during the exam and what they are looking for. Some vision care providers use games or toys to test for various things during the exam, which can be appealing to little ones who might be a bundle of nerves about going to any kind of doctor’s office.
Do they take your insurance? If you don’t have insurance, do they have payment options?
Eye care for the whole family can be costly, so it pays to visit a provider that takes your vision insurance.
If you don’t have insurance, many eye doctors’ offices will offer payment plans, cash pay options, or other ways to receive value pricing (for example, if you purchase a year’s worth of contacts at the time of your visit) that make vision care more affordable. Be sure to ask prior to making your appointment what options a particular office has for helping you keep your out-of-pocket costs as low as possible.
Do they have a good selection of eyewear?
Having to visit multiple stores or online shops to get eyewear for everyone can be time consuming and inconvenient. When selecting an eye care provider for your family, look for one that offers a wide selection of eyeglasses frame styles and sizes, plus a variety of contact lens brands. If you or your kids play sports, consider a place that offers sport frames to keep eyes safe.
In addition, make sure they have a trained optician who can help every family member find the best frames for their prescription, face shape and size, lifestyle and activities.
Will you have access to specialists if needed?
Every member of your family will likely have different vision and eye care needs. Whether or not your family has a history of certain eye diseases, access to a provider with the ability to treat conditions if they arise is important.
For example, is there a vision therapist onsite? Do they have both an optometrist and ophthalmologist (who can do surgery) in the office? Think through the scenarios with which one or more members of your family might need special care and determine if the eye care center you’ve chosen can accommodate all your needs.
Are they conveniently located?
When you have a family, convenience is king. Trying to find parking, fussing with wrangling kids and car seats through office doors or up elevators, not to mention accommodating everyone’s busy schedules, can be tricky.
Make sure the eye care center is located a reasonable distance from your home, work, or your children’s school, and that it will be relatively easy to get to your appointment.
All of our vision care centers love to accommodate families. Contact us today to schedule eye exams for the whole family, or ask us any questions you have. We look forward to welcoming you soon!
