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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Will you accept my insurance plan?

For the convenience of our patients, we accept most vision and medical plans. Most insurance plans cover a specific portion of the examination cost. Please call us today with your insurance plan information and we will check eligibility for you. Please remember to bring your insurance card and photo ID with you to your exam.

Q. Are you employed by Wal-Mart? Why should I go to a Wal-Mart Eye Doctor?

No, Dr. Kiernan is not employed by Wal-Mart. She is an independent doctor of optometry who chose to locate her practice in Wal-Mart.

Some patients may wonder if a Wal-Mart doctor is a “real” doctor. An optometrist who chooses to practice in a Wal-Mart setting achieves the same Doctor of Optometry degree that all optometrists receive after graduating from an accredited school of optometry.  All optometrists must undergo extensive clinical and knowledge-based testing in order to be licensed, regardless of where they choose to practice.

Wal-Mart optometrists are able to focus solely on providing the highest quality services to patients because patient care is their only priority, not selling eye wear. When you visit our office, there will be no pressure to sell you glasses or contact lenses because we do not profit from eye wear sales. We only profit from providing our patients with outstanding comprehensive exams, prescriptions for vision correction, and treatment of ocular disease.

Q. Does Wal-Mart make high quality glasses? Because they cost less, will they last as long and let me see as clearly as higher-priced glasses?

Wal-Mart will custom-make your glasses in one of its six ultra-modern optical labs, using top quality lens and frame materials. Wal-Mart constantly seeks to upgrade its materials in order to maintain excellent quality, cutting-edge technology and unmatched value for its customers. Because of Wal-Mart’s buying power and operating efficiency, you receive glasses of exceptional quality at an everyday low price.

Q. How can your fees be so much lower than other eye doctors? Will I receive a quality exam?

We offer lower fees because operating in Wal-Mart reduces our overhead costs. Because of our convenient location, we are able to keep busy seeing patients all day and use our time efficiently while passing the savings on to our patients.

We provide a thorough exam with the most advanced diagnostic instruments to evaluate your visual needs and diagnose ocular health conditions that may otherwise go undetected. The instruments and equipment you see in our office are identical to what you would find in most practices of a similar size. Our doctors enjoy practicing optometry and continuously strive to expand their knowledge base and stay current with the latest information and technology.

Q. Can I just buy my eyewear online?

With a doctor’s prescription, you are free to purchase your glasses or contact lenses at any location you choose, including online. We take pride in providing you with accurate prescriptions that meet your visual needs, and we are delighted to see all our patients in the office regardless of where you plan to purchase your eyewear. We do recommend selecting eyewear from a professional optical store, such as Walmart Vision Center, where you will benefit from an eyewear fitting by a qualified optician who is trained in lens placement, multifocal measurement and frame fitting. This ensures that your eyewear will fit properly, be aligned precisely, and meet your visual needs to your highest satisfaction. Your clear, comfortable vision is our first priority, and we want you to be completely happy with your eyewear purchase.

Q. Will I receive a written prescription after the exam? Will it be accepted anywhere?

We will provide you with a written prescription at the conclusion of your exam. The prescription is valid anywhere in the U.S. and online.

Q. I had an eye exam a little over a year ago, and my vision seems fine. Why do I need another exam?

Annual exams are important because vision changes can be subtle at first. You may not notice small changes in your vision until you are able to compare it to your new prescription in our office. Even more importantly, many serious, vision-threatening eye diseases do not cause changes in your vision until late in the disease process, when the damage is often irreversible. Many systemic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, can cause changes in the back of your eyes that are detected during a routine exam and trigger the need for additional tests that could save your life.

Q. Why does it cost more for a contact lens exam?

Contact lenses are a sophisticated medical device that can cause serious complications to the eyes; additional tests are needed to ensure that your lenses fit correctly, provide clear vision, and are a healthy choice for your eyes. The fitting process involves several steps to evaluate the shape and curvature of your eyes, along with ensuring that your eyes are healthy enough to wear contact lenses.  These steps take additional time and are important to make sure that you are prescribed a lens that optimizes fit, comfort, and vision. For some patients, follow up visits are necessary to make adjustments to the prescription or the fit.  These additional visits are included in the contact lens exam fee for appointments up to one month after your initial exam.

Q. What will I get with my contact lens exam?

Trial lenses are included with your contact lens exam if your eyes are healthy. We keep a large variety of trial lenses in stock and are happy to dispense most trials to you on the same day as your exam. For patients who need specialty lenses, such as rigid gas permeable lenses, high astigmatism or bifocal lenses, your contacts will have to be ordered. You will also receive a copy of your glasses prescription at the conclusion of your exam.

Q. Why does my contact lens prescription expire after one year?

The FDA classifies contact lenses as medical devices and mandates that contact lens prescriptions expire after one year.  In rare cases, contact lenses can cause serious damage to the surface of the eye that results in permanently blurred vision. Yearly visits are necessary to ensure that the lenses are fitting correctly and to make preventative changes to lens materials or curvatures. Successful contact lens wear requires that your eyes are healthy. This should be verified on a regular basis. Additionally, yearly visits help to ensure that your contact lenses are meeting your current visual needs, not the visual needs you may have had several years ago.

Q. Will my contact lens prescription allow me to buy any brand of lens I want?

Your prescription is written for a specific brand of contact lens, dictated by the doctor’s exam findings and experience regarding what brand would be best for your eyes.  If you have a contact lens brand that you prefer, please mention it during your exam.

Q. Aren’t all contact lenses the same? Shouldn’t I just buy the cheapest ones?

Contact lenses vary widely based on material, curvature, oxygen permeability, and lens coatings. They are not all the same. Contact lens companies spend millions of dollars every year to improve their lenses and regularly introduce new and better technology. You wouldn’t want to buy a five-year-old computer. Along the same lines, it is healthiest for your eyes and best for your visual clarity to stay current with the latest contact lens developments.  Currently, contact lens manufacturers are introducing new lens materials with better oxygen permeability than ever before, making them healthier for your eyes and comfortable enough to wear for 14 hours or more each day. These technologically advanced lenses do cost slightly more, but the benefits gained in eye health, lens comfort, and vision clarity far outweigh the small increase in cost. Keeping your eyes healthy and maintaining optimal visual clarity is a priceless goal that is easily achieved with up-to-date contact lenses.