FAQs

We accept most major medical insurance plans, including Medicare. Because plans change often, we recommend checking our list of accepted insurance plans or calling us  before your visit. It’s also a good idea to contact your insurance company to confirm your coverage and whether you need a referral.

Does medical insurance cover eye exams, or do I need vision insurance?

It depends on the reason for your visit. Medical and vision insurance cover different things.

Vision insurance typically covers routine eye care, such as:

• Yearly eye exams when you have no eye problems or symptoms
• Glasses and contact lens prescriptions
• Discounts or allowances for glasses and contacts

Medical insurance typically covers visits to diagnose, treat, or monitor an eye condition, such as:

• Glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration
• Diabetic eye exams
• Eye infections, injuries, or sudden vision changes
• Symptoms like eye pain, flashes, floaters, or dry eye
• Eye surgery and follow-up care

If you come in for a routine exam and the doctor finds a medical issue, that part of your visit may be billed to your medical insurance.

For a routine eye exam:

• Photo ID and insurance cards (medical and vision, if you have both)
• Your current glasses, including reading glasses and prescription sunglasses
• Your contact lenses or the contact lens box, so we can see the brand and prescription
• A list of your medications, including eye drops, vitamins, and supplements
• A referral, if your insurance requires one
• Records from previous eye doctors, if you’re a new patient
• Any questions or vision changes you’d like to discuss

Your exam may include dilation, which can make your vision blurry and light-sensitive for a few hours. Bring sunglasses and, if necessary, a driver. 

It depends on your needs, and at Houston Eye Associates, both work together to care for your eyes. Our optometrists provide routine eye exams, glasses and contact lens prescriptions, and treatment for a variety of eye conditions, while our ophthalmologists provide surgical care and specialized treatment. If you’re not sure which doctor is right for you, simply call or request an appointment.

Our staff is trained to guide you to the right provider for your needs. If you notice sudden vision loss, flashes of light, a shower of new floaters, or eye pain, call us right away. 

Order contact lenses online from Houston Eye Associates with confidence. We verify every order against your current prescription to help ensure a safe, accurate fit and clear vision. If you have questions about your prescription, lens options, or ordering online, please call your clinic today.

Order Contact Lenses Online | Houston Eye Associates

Depending on availability, it takes approximately 3-5 business days for orders to be delivered.

Overnight shipping is available.

Some higher prescriptions and specialty contacts may take 2-4 weeks to come-in.

Yes. The FDA regulates all contact lenses as medical devices, including colored and costume lenses that don’t correct vision, so a valid prescription from a contact lens exam is required.

Poorly fitted or non-prescription lenses, like those sold at costume shops or unverified websites, can cause scratches, serious infections, and even permanent vision loss. Schedule a contact lens exam with one of our eye doctors to get colored contacts safely. 

The procedure does not hurt. The eye is numb while the procedure is taking place.

The cost of LASIK typically ranges from $1,500.00 to $2,000 per eye.

Yes, financing is available through Capital One. Please contact our office to learn more about your financing options.

You can start resuming your normal activities 5 days after LASIK Eye Surgery. The only activity we ask that you refrain from is swimming.

You won’t be able to blink, and small eye movements won’t affect your results.

Before your procedure, your eye is numbed with drops and a small device called a lid speculum gently holds your eyelids open, so blinking isn’t a concern.

During the treatment, you’ll be asked to focus on a target light, and the laser uses an advanced eye-tracking system that follows your eye’s natural movements many times per second.

If your eye moves too far, the laser automatically pauses until your eye is back in position. The laser portion takes less than a minute per eye, and your surgeon is in control the entire time, so you can relax knowing your safety and results are protected.