Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to this page for Information from Lake Merritt Optometry

1. Are you accepting new patients?

Yes! We are always happy to accommodate new patients and families.

2. Do you take my insurance?

For a list of vision plans and medical insurances that we take, please visit visit our insurance information page to see if we are in-network with your insurance carrier. Please note that your vision plan and medical insurance are separate plans.

3. How long should I expect my examination to take?

Please expect your appointment to take 45-60 minutes. The length of your visit depends on the complexity of your needs, if you need an evaluation for contact lenses, and the time required for any frame styling with one of our expert opticians.

4. What if I can’t make it to my appointment?

We all know that unforeseen situations can arise requiring you to reschedule your appointment. If you must cancel an appointment, we require that you notify us at least 48 hours prior to your appointment time. This will allow other patients to utilize that valuable appointment slot. Without 48 hours of advance notice, we cannot reasonably offer that appointment to someone else who needs it.

Appointments canceled less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled time will be subject to a $50.00 “No-Show” fee. Patients who arrive later than 10 minutes past their scheduled appointment time will be rescheduled, and will also be considered a “No Show”. Patients who incur a “No-Show” two (2) or more times in a 12-month period, will be allowed to schedule an appointment, on an as-available basis, on the day of their request only. They will also be subject to a $50.00 fee for each occurrence.

No Show fees are the responsibility of the patient and must be paid in full before the patient’s next appointment. We understand that unexpected events can occur, necessitating a sudden change in plans. In such an unlikely event, fees may be waived with special consideration, but only with the approval of the management.

5. Do you see children?

Yes! The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends children have their eyes examined at 6 months old, three years old, and just before the start of school. Our doctors are trained to be able to evaluate your little one’s eyes and determine whether or not they need a prescription without any additional input from them, so bring them in!

6. How often should I get my eyes checked?

We recommend getting your eyes checked annually. Your annual visit will include an update to your glasses and contact lens prescription (if you wear contact lenses), as well as an ocular health assessment that includes a glaucoma screening and retinal evaluation.

7. I don’t wear glasses, do I still need an eye exam?

Your vision may be great without glasses, but we strongly recommend a thorough evaluation of the health of the eyes to determine there is no eye disease. Some sight-threatening conditions, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, can cause damage to the eye slowly over time, even if the vision seems normal or you do not wear glasses.

8. Does my vision plan cover my contact lens exam?

Most vision plans will not cover your contact lens evaluation as part of your routine exam benefit.

A contact lens evaluation includes a thorough assessment of how your contact lenses fit on your eye, as well as a vision check to make sure that the prescription will help you to see the most clearly at all distances. This ensures that the contact lens is not causing any damage to the delicate structures on the front surface of your eye; a yearly evaluation is necessary to make sure that the lens is safe to wear. Because of this, there is an additional fee required for this portion of the exam, and your vision plan provider may not cover this fee.