Routine Eye Care

All of the doctors at Virginia Ophthalmology Associates perform routine eye care including dilated eye exams for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other common diseases of the eye.

Prescriptions for eye glasses are available from all our doctors, and contact lenses are fitted by our optometrist, Dr. Ayesha Rahman.

Our doctors and technicians perform a comprehensive eye examination including dilation of the eye during annual exams and new patient consultations.  Please allow 2 hours for your visit.

Our in-house eyeglass shop stocks a great assortment of frames, and patients receive a 20% discount on frames purchased on the day of their eye exam (some exclusions apply).

How often do I need an Eye Exam?

If you are less than 40 years old and have no medical or eye conditions, you need an Eye Exam about every two years. If you are over 40 years old or have any medical or eye conditions, a yearly exam is very important. Note: it is very important for diabetics, regardless of age, to have a complete dilated exam yearly. Oftentimes, people get routine Eye Exams because they are experiencing difficulty with their vision. However, routine eye exams are also essential to maintaining good eye health. In addition to correcting vision problems, a routine exam can detect many eye diseases such as glaucoma and even diabetes before any symptoms are present. Early detection is key to treating such diseases and preventing vision loss.

What happens during an Exam?

A technician will evaluate your eyes, do a pressure check (not the puff of air) and possibly dilate your eyes. During your time with the technician, they will also do a refraction. A refraction is not covered by most insurance policies, but is a necessary procedure in order to help evaluate the health of your eyes and determine your glasses prescription. (It is the part of the exam where the technician puts a device, called a phoropter, in front of your eyes and asks, “Which is better 1 or 2?”) If you are a contact wearer, the technician will evaluate your contact fit, measure lens size, tear flow, base curve and power annually. This “contact fit” is required every year in order to renew your contact lens prescription. After your visit with the technician, you will see your doctor. They will do a further evaluation of your eyes by looking through a microscope called a slit lamp to check the anterior segment, retina and optic nerve. After his evaluation, they will discuss any findings and plans.

Will my insurance pay for my Exam?

Virginia Ophthalmology Associates participates with Vision Service plan (VSP) and Community Eye Care (CEC) for ROUTINE Eye Exam only (nearsightedness, farsightedness and normal astigmatism). The doctors and staff at Virginia Ophthalmology Associates are committed to giving you the highest quality of eye care. During your exam, our physicians will examine you for many medical conditions such as glaucoma, dry eyes, cataracts and retinal diseases. If your eye exam involves a medical condition related to your eyes that requires specific counseling, documentation, follow-up care, regular monitoring or referral to a surgeon, then your visit is no longer a routine Eye Exam. This exam would constitute a medical eye exam and be filed under your medical insurance. All co-pays and refraction fees are due at the time of service.

What happens after the Exam?

After your Exam, you will make any recommended follow up appointments and receive a copy of your glasses and/or contact lens prescriptions. If you are ready to look at glasses, you are welcome to stop by our full-service optical shop to visit with our opticians and pick from hundreds of frames. Our licensed opticians specialize in face shape, coloring and vision needs. Your prescription and lifestyle are always discussed to ensure we are meeting your expectations and visual comfort.