Clear Solutions For Your Eye Care

Patient Information

Ratchford Eye Center has invested in the latest diagnostic techniques to give you and your family the best possible eye care. Our innovative imaging equipment is enabling us to detect signs of disease far sooner. Best of all, these non-invasive procedures are leading to earlier treatment and improved outcomes for our patients.

Schedule a visit with one of our premium eye care providers today.
860-829-8939

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Patient Intake Form

Policies

Contact Lens Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the appointment take?

Plan on being in our office for about an hour. Some appointments may take longer, especially if additional testing is necessary.

Will I be able to drive home after my exam?

In many cases, your eyes will be dilated for your exam. If your eyes are dilated, your near vision will be blurred but your distance vision should be OK for driving. Your eyes will be sensitive to light. We suggest you bring your sunglasses.

What if I wear contact lenses?

If you wear contact lenses, we ask that you keep them out for 24 hours before the exam if you are coming in for a routine eye exam. If you wear hard lenses, it’s best if they remain out for 48 hours. In most cases, you will be able to wear contact lenses after your exam.

If you have an eye infection, you should NOT be wearing your contact lenses from the time the symptoms start until they are resolved. After the infection clears, a new set of lenses should be used. (Please bring your contact lens parameters in with you).

Will my insurance cover my eye exam?

Ratchford Eye Center participates with many insurance plans. Some insurance plans cover routine eye exams yearly or every other year. Not all plans cover routine eye exams. You need to check with your human resource department for your benefits. If you have a medical condition that requires an eye exam, such as diabetes, your exam should be covered by your insurance. Keep in mind that you may have a deductible to meet or other out of pocket expenses with your plan.

Will medicare pay for my visit?

In most cases, Medicare will pay for your eye exam but not the portion of the exam that we are checking to see if you need glasses or to update your glasses. This is called refractions and is not covered by Medicare.

I Don’t Have an Eye Disease; Should I Still See an Ophthalmologist?

Absolutely! Our care team takes precautions to prevent eye conditions and maintain robust eye health as rigorously as we treat severe vision disorders.

What Will Happen During My Examination?

Your eyes will then be examined with a microscope called a slit lamp. Dilating drops will then be used. These drops open up your pupil, so the doctor has a larger field of view to look into your eyes. During this part of the examination, the doctor looks for signs of eye disease, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, as well as ocular symptoms of systemic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. The dilation drops temporarily increase light sensitivity and cause blurred vision primarily for intermediate and near tasks (and for some patients for distance). Disposable sunglasses are provided at the end of the examinations to help with light sensitivity while driving home.

After the examination, the doctor will review the testing results with you and discuss the nature of any uncovered problems. Treatment options will be discussed, which may include additional testing to provide a more detailed assessment of the exam findings.

Turn to the Ratchford Eye Center for exceptional vision care.

Medical Hours

Monday: 8:30 am - 6:45 pm
Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
Thursday: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
Saturday: 7:00 am - 12:00 pm

Optical Office Hours

Monday: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm

*Hours are subject to change depending on medical facility schedule.

*Hours are subject to change depending on medical facility schedule.