Things ourpatients often ask.
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. Don't see yours? Call us — Dr. Nguyen and the team are happy to talk before any appointment.
Eye Exams
When to come, what to expect, and how often we recommend you visit.
How often should I get an eye exam?
Annually for most adults. Children should have an exam at 6 months, age 3, and before starting school — then at least every two years. Anyone with diabetes, glaucoma, or a strong family history of eye disease should follow a personalized schedule.
What does a comprehensive eye exam include?
Visual acuity, refraction (prescription), eye health evaluation including retina and optic nerve, intraocular pressure check (glaucoma screening), binocular function, and screening for systemic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
How long does an exam take?
Allow 60 minutes for a comprehensive exam. Specialty visits (myopia management, specialty contact lens fitting, dry eye consultation) may run longer. We never rush — quality care takes time.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
An optometrist (OD) handles most routine and specialty eye care — exams, prescriptions, contact lenses, eye disease monitoring, and co-management of surgical patients. An ophthalmologist (MD) performs surgery. We work alongside trusted ophthalmologists when a patient needs a procedure such as cataract surgery or laser correction.
Will I be dilated, and can I drive afterward?
Dilation lets us examine the retina and optic nerve in detail — most patients are dilated periodically rather than every visit. The drops leave near vision a little blurry and your eyes light-sensitive for a few hours. Many patients drive home comfortably, but you're welcome to bring sunglasses or arrange a ride. We always tell you before applying the drops so you can plan around it.
Children's Vision
Pediatric eye care, learning-related vision, and when to start.
Do you see children?
Yes — from infants to teenagers. Our pediatric exams are designed for young patients with calm rooms, age-appropriate techniques, and patient teaching. Many of our pediatric patients return as adults.
What is myopia management and at what age can my child start?
Myopia control is a clinical approach to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. Treatment options include orthokeratology, low-dose atropine, and MiSight lenses. Children as young as age 6 can begin once myopia is confirmed.
Could my child's reading difficulties be related to vision?
Often, yes. A focused pediatric eye exam can identify issues like uncorrected farsightedness, eye teaming weakness, or focusing fatigue that mimic dyslexia or attention problems. When in-depth therapeutic vision care is indicated beyond what we offer, we refer to colleagues who specialise in it.
Contact Lenses
Daily, specialty, and the fitting process.
Do you offer contact lens fittings?
Yes. We fit daily disposables, toric lenses (astigmatism), multifocal, scleral lenses, and specialty lenses for keratoconus and post-surgical eyes. Each fitting includes a comprehensive trial program.
Can I get my prescription for online contact lens orders?
Absolutely. Once we've completed your fitting and verified your prescription, you're free to order from any source. We provide a written prescription that you can use anywhere.
Insurance & Payment
Coverage, verification, and what we accept.
Do you accept my insurance plan?
We accept a range of vision and medical insurance plans. Coverage varies — call us before your appointment with your card details and we'll help verify your benefits and explain what may be covered.
Is there a difference between vision and medical insurance?
Yes — and it matters. Vision insurance covers routine exams and eyewear. Medical insurance covers diagnosed conditions like dry eye, diabetic eye disease, or glaucoma. Some visits use both. We'll help you sort out which applies.
What about services not covered by insurance?
We review payment options clearly before any purchase. CareCredit is available for larger purchases. Same-week turnaround on most prescriptions is included at no extra cost.
How long is my glasses or contact lens prescription valid?
Glasses prescriptions are valid for 2 years; contact lens prescriptions are valid for 1 year. Even when a glasses prescription is still current, we recommend a yearly comprehensive exam — eye health changes that a refraction alone won't catch.
Can I use a prescription from another office?
Yes. As long as the prescription is still current — within the last two years for glasses, or one year for contacts — we can use it to make your eyewear or order your contact lenses.
Eyewear & Frames
Browsing frames, opticians, and using a frame you already own.
Do I need an appointment to look at frames?
No appointment is needed just to browse. Our opticians are happy to help you explore frames during office hours. Fittings and orders do need to happen during a visit, so allow a little extra time if you plan to buy.
Can I bring my own frame for new lenses?
Yes — provided the frame is in good condition and able to accept prescription lenses, we can fit your new prescription into it. Bringing your own frame is at your own risk, since we can't take responsibility for damage that may occur at the lab or in transit.
Patient Forms
Pre-visit forms, HIPAA compliance, and what to bring.
How can I request or download patient forms?
After booking, we send a link to our HIPAA-compliant secure portal. New patient intake, pediatric history, and office policy forms can all be completed online before your visit.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Completed forms (or open them on your phone), insurance card(s), current glasses (including readers and sunglasses), contact lens info if applicable, and a list of medications. See our Patient Forms page for the full checklist.
Have a question, or ready to schedule?
Call us during office hours and we will connect you with the right person. Insurance verification, scheduling, or specific clinical questions — all welcome.