VISION CLINIC
EYE EXAMS
A complete medical and refractive eye examination is critical to assure the good health of your eyes and to rule out the possibility of any unsuspected, underlying condition.
EYEGLASSES
Our optical offers a variety of frames.
Frames start as low as $30.
CONTACT LENSES
We will fill any valid prescription for glasses or contact lenses. Bring your prescription in or we can contact your doctor’s office and have them fax a copy to the Vision Clinic.
The staff of the Vision Clinic is committed to providing highly accessible, professional eye care for University of Georgia students and other eligible members of the university community. We provide premium comprehensive and personalized eye care services in a respectful environment using state-of-the art equipment, materials and products balanced with highly trained eye care professionals.
The Vision Clinic is located on the first floor of the University Health Center, at the corner of College Station and East Campus Road, on the University of Georgia campus. Our hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Please call 706-542-5617 or fax 706-227-4763.
Services are available to UGA students, faculty, staff, retirees, their spouses / partners, and dependents ages 5-26 years.
All dependents 18 and older must bring in a photo ID to be eligible for Vision Clinic services. Patients 17 and under must be accompanied by a UGA faculty / staff guardian.
Appointments are necessary and can be made by phone. If you need an appointment for a medical issue with your eye (pink eye, red eye etc.), you will need to call for your appointment. The average appointment lasts approximately one hour. If you need to select eyewear or have training for contact lenses allow for additional time.
If necessary, cancel or reschedule your appointment by 24 hours on the preceding business day to avoid a $30 missed-appointment charge.
UHC Vision Clinic is offering wellness and medical services. Retail/repair services require an appointment. Call clinic for details at 706-542-5617.
We are a fee-for-service clinic and charge a fee for each service provided. The pricing structure for all services and products is designed to offer a low price for students to eliminate the need for coupons, sales and “shopping around.”
The Vision Clinic is considered a “well clinic,” and out of concern for other patients, those with symptoms of a contagious illness (other than eye issues) should be seen by their primary care provider and postpone their routine eye evaluation.
The UHC Vision Clinic is NOT in-network with Peachstate vision plans!
The UHC Vision Clinic offers a wide variety of frames for eye glasses, sunglasses, sports and recreational glasses and offer frames starting as low as $30.
Your glasses prescription and/or lifestyle may create a need for custom add-ons. Don’t worry! Our highly trained Licensed Dispensing Opticians are readily available to help you with this process.
Brands offered: Ray Ban, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Polaroid, David Beckham, Betsy Johnson and more.
Eyeglass Turn-Around Time
We have an in-house lab and can have most glasses ready the same day or next day! If we need to special order a material, coating, or lens design, it will typically take five to ten business days to complete the custom order.
Outside Prescriptions
We are happy to fill any valid prescription for eyeglasses and/or contact lenses. Please remember to bring your prescription with you, or request your outside provider to fax it to us at 706-227-4763.
Safety Glasses
The Vision Clinic offers prescription and non-prescription safety eyeglass packages. We provide occupational safety eyewear for many UGA departments, as well as custom orders.
A complete medical and refractive eye examination is critical to assure the good health of your eyes and to rule out the possibility of any unsuspected, underlying condition. The refractive portion of the exam is used to determine your eyeglass prescription. Reference the chart below to determine how frequently you should have your eyes examined. Also ask your Optometrist; you may need to be seen on a more regular basis determined by family history or medications you are taking.
| Patient Age | Examination Frequency | |
|---|---|---|
| Asymptomatic / Risk Free | Symptomatic / At Risk | |
| Birth to 24 Months | At 6 months of age | By 6 months of age or as recommended |
| 2 to 5 Years | At 3 years of age | At 3 years of age or as recommended |
| 6 to 18 Years | Before first grade and every two years thereafter | Annually or as recommended |
| 18 to 60 Years | Every two years | Every one to two years or as recommended |
| 61 and Older | Annually | Annually or as recommended |
| Contact Lens Wearers | Annually | Annually or sooner |
Advancements in contact lens technology offer the potential of successful contact lens wear to most of our patients. A contact lens is a medical device in contact with the tissues of your eye; therefore, it must fit appropriately to maintain the health of your eyes. A contact lens prescription can only be determined by the careful observation of the lens on the eye and the eye’s response to the lens on follow-up visits. Since follow-up care is essential, it is your responsibility to keep all appointments and follow all lens care instructions. We will fill any valid prescription for glasses or contact lenses. Bring your prescription in or we can contact your doctor’s office and have them fax a copy to the Vision Clinic.
The Comprehensive Eye Exam
Before a person can be fit with contact lenses, a complete medical and refractive eye examination is necessary. This exam is critical to assure the good health of your eyes and to rule out the possibility of any unsuspected, underlying condition that may prevent contact lens use.
Contact Lens Fitting
The goal of contact lens fitting is to find the most appropriate contact lens for each patient’s optimal vision and comfort. An enormous variety of types, materials, sizes and colors are offered. We are committed to taking the time and effort to fit your contact lenses properly. Although many people will need only one fitting session, sometimes this process requires several appointments. Everyone being fit into contacts must go through the fitting process. We will not finalize the contact lens prescription until both the individual being fit for contacts lenses and the doctor are satisfied with the fit and visual acuity of the contact lens. We will provide one set of trial lenses. Dispensing of trial contact lenses may only be at the time of the original examination and scheduled follow-up visits when a change is required. A contact lens trial will not be dispensed at other times. Any patient who is changing lens brands must have a new fitting, and there may be an additional fitting charge. Please order your supply of contacts at least one week prior to running out of your contact lenses.
Annual Contact Lens Exam
By law, a contact lens prescription is valid for only one year. All patients are required to come in for an annual contact lens exam. This is necessary to assure that the patient’s eyes are healthy and the contact lenses are still fitting well. Contact lens prescriptions cannot be renewed without an annual exam. Contact lens exams have a separate charge that is NOT included in your medical exam.
Contact Lens Training Session
The patient will be provided with personalized instruction concerning the safe care and usage of contact lenses. If additional time is needed, it will be necessary to schedule a second 30-minute training session at a different time. Upon completion of successful insertion and removal, the patient may begin wearing the contact lenses and we will schedule the first follow-up appointment within two weeks.
Insertion and removal of contact lenses is simple. The link below offers a video with helpful instructions.
www.acuvue.com/wearing-apply-remove
Follow-Up Appointments
There is no charge for follow-up visits during the first 60 days or first three follow-up visits, whichever comes first.
Follow-up appointments are necessary to assure:
- The contact lenses are fitting and moving well
- The prescription is providing the best possible vision
- The eyes are remaining healthy
- There are no problems with insertion or removal
- The patient understands and complies with the recommended wearing schedule
- Prescriptions will NOT be written for patients who do not keep follow up appointments.
Who Can Wear Contact Lenses?
Each individual is very different, and many measurements are taken into account when determining if you will be a successful contact lens wearer. Most contact lens manufacturers have expanded their parameters to offer a variety of options that are suitable for most people with astigmatism and/or bifocals.
Contact Lens Pricing
Contact lens prices vary by manufacture, materials and design. Call us with the brand you wear and we will be happy to give you a price. Our contact lens pricing is highly competitive.
Colored Contact Lenses
We can get colored contacts with no prescription in them; however, it is a requirement to be examined by an eye doctor to be fitted in contacts (clear or colored). Contact lenses are medical devices regulated by the FDA. In order to purchase them you must have a valid written prescription from an eye doctor. Wearing a contact lens that has not been assessed on your eye can lead to serious complications and in some cases can lead to blindness. You should never wear contacts that have not been prescribed for you.
Contact Lens Refunds
There will be no refund on custom lenses, opened boxes of lenses, or colored lenses. There will be NO refund of the exam, fitting, or annual contact lens examination fee.
Contact Lens Brands
We keep a large supply of the following contact lenses in stock:
- Biotrue 1Day
- Biofinity Energys
Don’t see your brand here? We can have most contact lens orders ready within 3-5 business days. Lenses can be shipped directly to you at school or at home during a break. It is recommended that you plan ahead and order your new supply of contacts prior to using your last pair.
- UHC Vision Clinic Patient Agreement Form (All Patients)
- Medical Profile Form
- UHC Patient Agreement Form (Faculty/Staff complete on the UHC Patient Portal)
- UHC Dependent Patient Agreement Form (Dependents only)
- Health History Form (Dependents only. Faculty/Staff complete on the UHC Patient Portal)
- Vision Insurance Form
- Patient Profile
- Consent for Dilation
- Consent for Wellness Screening
- Refractive Surgery Patient Summary
- Occupational Health Approval
- Release of Health Information
Please let us know if you have insurance. The University Health Center does provide direct billing to other insurance companies. Please call your individual insurance carrier to inquire about coverage for vision services and any stipulations they may have to ensure timely payment.
- United HealthCare Student Resources covers most medical visits. See www.uhcsr.com for more detailed information.
- The UHC Vision Clinic is in-network with a variety of EyeMed Plans, including the EyeMed Insight Network. This plan services UGA faculty, staff, and dependents.
- If you have a different EyeMed plan, please contact the office for additional information.The UHC Vision Clinic is in-network with a variety of Spectera Vision Plans. Please contact the office for additional information.
- The UHC Optometrists are in-network with Medicare for examinations. Please present your Medicare card at your visit.
- The UHC Vision Clinic is NOT in-network with Peachstate vision plans.
The UGA Shade Shack has a variety of non- prescription sunglasses that range in price from $50 to $240. Most of our sunglasses can be customized with your prescription for an added cost if desired. You will recognize brands such as Ray-Ban, Betsey Johnson, Polaroid, Kate Spade, Carrera, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, and many others. Sport and tactical frames are also available.
The UHC Vision Clinic Optometrists evaluate patients who are potentially seeking to have a refractive surgery to determine if the patient is a candidate for surgery. Upon determination that you are a candidate, the Optometrist will assist you in determining which refractive procedure and surgeon is best for you. Your pre-operatory and post-operatory procedures can be completed at the UHC Vision Clinic or at your surgeon’s office.
Refractive surgery is a procedure that alters the eye tissue to correct for inaccurate focusing of the eye. In most cases these procedures result in reduction or elimination of the need for glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. As with any surgery, there are risks involved and it is important for patients to understand the risks before deciding if surgery is right for them. In addition, an ocular evaluation is needed to determine if a patient’s eye health and ocular anatomy would allow for a refractive procedure to be preformed. The following options are available to you:
A refractive surgery informational packet (no cost)
At any time you are welcome to pick up a packet that will offer information on different types of refractive surgery. This will be useful to help you begin researching your best option. No testing or personal evaluation will be offered at this visit; however, if you have questions please call the Optometric Technician listed on the business card enclosed in your packet.
A comprehensive exam
An Optometrist will examine the health of your eye and determine your refractive power and any correction that may be needed. At this visit, the Optometrist will discuss how the basics of refractive surgery may apply to you and will go over risks and benefits. Additional testing will be needed at a later date if you choose to move forward with refractive surgery.
Refractive surgery candidacy exam
This visit would be appropriate if you are not sure if you would like to have surgery or are considering surgery at a later date. An Optometrist will provide a comprehensive examination to evaluate the health of your eye and to determine your refractive power and any correction that may be needed. Several additional tests will be performed only to determine if you are a candidate for refractive surgery. If you choose this visit type, then decide to have refractive surgery at a later date, a Refractive Surgery Pre-operative Evaluation will be needed (see below). Testing will be repeated and fees for this visit will be incurred.
Refractive surgery pre-operative evaluation
This visit type is needed if you are ready to schedule a refractive surgery procedure within the next month. Additional testing will be performed to ensure that you are a candidate for refractive surgery. The measurements taken during this exam will be used for your surgery and must be collected within one month of your surgery date.
- You must be out of your contact lenses for 1-2 weeks, or longer depending on the type you wear. The doctor will advise you of the required time.
- A strong dilating drop will be used that will completely relax the eyes. Your eyes will be dilated for up to 24 hours.
- Additional time is necessary for this visit.
Please contact our office for additional Lasik Information: 706-542-5617.