Eye Care Clinic and Optical Shop

UHS is now an in-network provider for Davis Vision!  UHS is the only Davis provider located right on campus. You can conveniently fit eye care visits into your schedule, plus check out our fantastic variety of new frames. For more on Davis Vision benefits, see the Benefits Office website.

Virtual Try-on -- See how you look in new glasses or contact lenses while wearing your current prescription. We'll take your photo in our Optical Shop, then show you how you'll look in new frames. It's easy and fun!

Location: Third floor

Telephone:

Eye Care Appointments: 734-764-8325
Eye Care Clinic: 734-763-0291
Optical Shop (no appointment necessary): 734-647-4300

Department hours:*

* Closed for lunch 12:00 - 1:00 PM, although the waiting room is open. Clinic hours may vary during semester breaks and holidays.

On this page:

• Services
• Clinicians
• What happens during an eye exam?
• How often should I have my eyes checked?
• What visual aids are available at UHS?
• What is vision training?
• How can I get a prescription for eyewear filled?
• How can I visit the Eye Care Clinic and Optical Shop?
• What fees and insurance apply?

Services: In the Eye Care Clinic, optometrists perform routine eye exams, dispense contact lenses and detect eye disease. These doctors of optometry specialize in examination, diagnosis and treatment of impairment and disease of the visual system. Treatment may include prescription of medicine, glasses, contact lenses, other optical aids or vision therapy.

The Optical Shop maintains a large and complete selection of frames. In addition, a complete line of sunglasses, reading glasses, sports, recreational and protective eyewear is available at competitive prices.

Clinicians in this clinic are listed on the Clinician Profiles webpage.

What happens during an eye exam?A comprehensive eye exam begins with a complete health history. Allergies, chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes), prescription and non-prescription drugs and health conditions such as high blood pressure can all affect vision. The optometrist will check the interior and exterior eye as well as the surrounding area for defects and disease, as well as assess the ability to see clearly at near and far distances, eye coordination, color vision, depth perception, refractive error and field of vision. Based on the results of this examination, the optometrist may prescribe medication, corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) or vision therapy as needed.

We recommend that you bring sunglasses to wear after your exam because your eyes may be sensitive to sun after dilation. We do provide disposable sunglasses for your use if you forget yours.

Most people can drive after a visual exam. However, if you are farsighted you may have visual impairment and would have to wait a few hours to drive. For this reason, you may wish to make transportation arrangements before your exam.

How often should I have my eyes checked? Eye examinations for preventive care are an important part of eye health. Anyone with a history of visual problems should get routine preventive care. People who wear contact lenses should get an exam annually. An exam every two years is sufficient for adults in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties. Yearly exams become important in the late thirties when changes in vision and focus along with eye diseases are more likely to develop. Squinting, blinking, rubbing eyes frequently, headaches, changes in vision and difficulty with visual concentration within arm's length may be signs of eye problems and should be checked by your optometrist.

What visual aids are available at UHS?

Contact lenses have certain advantages over glasses. They allow a natural field of view since there are no frames to block side vision. Also, they move with the eye so that the wearer usually looks through the center of the lens where vision is the best. The keys to successful contact lens use are personal motivation, proper fit, proper lenses and continuous professional care.

Lens choice is determined by several factors including:

• the length of time an individual wishes to wear the lenses each day
• the prescription needs
• the cost (rigid lenses may initially cost up to 50% more than soft, but they generally last longer and have smaller daily upkeep expenses)

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) and soft contact lenses are the most common contact lenses. RGP lenses are small lenses, about 1/3 inch in diameter, which partially cover the colored portion of the eye. They usually take a little longer to adapt to than soft contact lenses, but they allow significantly more oxygen to the cornea and may be worn for longer periods of time. Soft contact lenses, on the other hand, are easy to use because the eye quickly adapts to them. They do not allow as much oxygen to the cornea, however, so they should not be worn as many hours as the RGP lenses.

Also, if the lens wearer intends to live in an isolated area for any length of time, he or she should make sure that there is a facility at which either gas permeable or soft lenses can be checked or replaced as needed.

We do not recommend sleeping in your contact lenses because eyes do not get enough oxygen to stay healthy. We also recommend that you do not neglect routine care of disposable lenses.

See also For Contact Lens Wearers: How to Care for Your Eyes When You Travel (PDF).

Eye glasses: Wearers should select frames to compliment their individual lifestyle. Not all lens sizes, tints and materials are appropriate for every person. The selection of the style, type and color of eye glasses should be made carefully and discussed with a professional eye wear dispenser. Should you have a prescription change, the Optical Shop can custom make new lenses to fit your current frames. Options include:

• Sport and recreational glasses promote safety and comfort for a variety of sports.
• Sunglasses help the eyes adapt to bright conditions. They should be worn to eliminate tearing, squinting and blinking, or to protect eyes during prolonged exposure to the sun. Sunglasses should not be worn at night (particularly when driving) because they reduce the amount of light entering the eyes and therefore decrease visual ability.
• Occupational safety glasses protect the eyes from chemicals or other particles. They may be required for laboratory work or for work with some machinery.

What is vision training? Vision training refers to the use of exercises as a means of improving conditions that cannot be adequately treated with eye glasses or contact lenses alone (e.g. poor eye coordination/movement/focus, crossed eyes and lazy eyes). Training may include use of lenses, prisms, filters and activities designed to improve visual skills. These techniques may alleviate symptoms such as headaches around the eyes or back of neck, difficulty reading and sleepiness when doing close work.

How can I get a prescription for eye wear filled?

Contact lens prescriptions: You must first receive a complete vision exam through the Eye Care Clinic to ensure that the contact lenses fit correctly and there are no other eye problems or conditions that warrant further attention. For easy replacement of lenses and for consistency of care, we recommend that contact lens wearers establish a relationship with one of the optometrists.

Prescriptions for regular glasses, sports and occupational eye wear are generally ready in one or two days, although special orders may take a week or more. You may fill your home doctor's prescription for glasses at the UHS Optical Shop. No appointment is needed.

How can I visit the Eye Care Clinic and Optical Shop? You can make an appointment by calling Appointment Scheduling at 734-764-8325 or stopping by Appointment Scheduling (2nd floor).

For medical conditions such as conjunctivitis, acute visual disturbances, foreign bodies or injuries to the eye, walk-in visits and same-day appointments are available.

The Optical Shop is open Monday through Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM (except 12-1 PM) for walk-in visits. No appointment is needed for Optical Shop.

What fees and insurance apply?

Please ask about costs when you make an appointment.

For currently enrolled UM students:

• Routine eye exams are not covered by the health service fee, so students pay additional fees.
• Eye care for medical conditions (e.g. conjunctivitis, acute visual disturbances, foreign bodies or injuries to the eye) is covered by the health service fee, so currently enrolled students pay no additional fees.

Insurance coverage:

• Domestic Student Health Insurance Plan and International Student/Visiting Scholar Health Insurance Plan provide one eye exam for glasses (with $15 fee) and 20% off products in the Optical Shop. Does not cover the cost of contact lens evaluation or fitting.
• Premier Care and GradCare members: UHS is a Network 1 provider. Insurance will pay for the vision exam (coverage pending). Contact lens fitting costs extra.
• UHS can bill UM insurances and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan.
• UHS is a Davis Vision provider. For more on Davis Vision benefits, see the Benefits Office website.