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 some testing is necessary.

Will I be able to drive home after the 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, its 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.