Here are some of our most frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions, please email us at info@alvineyeandvision.com or contact us via our website.
Where Are You Located?
Dr Levi Clyde opened his private optometry practice at 208 W Coombs on March 3, 2020 in Alvin, TX. A longtime medical office, the building was once home to Dr Grant McDonald’s general medical practice, and today houses Alvin Eye & Vision, a small, local business in the heart of downtown Alvin. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on the practice.
Do I Need an Appointment?
YES! We kindly ask that you make an appointment online or call to schedule BEFORE you come to Alvin Eye & Vision. We can often accommodate same day appointments, but please call ahead to schedule. If you would like to shop our frame selection, order contacts in person, pick up glasses or contacts, or shop our other retail offerings, no appointment is necessary, however we ask that you call ahead. As a small, family-owned practice with a small staff, our hours can vary if we need to step away from the office. You can always reach us by phone or text during office hours, so give us a call before stopping in.
Do You Take Insurance and Vision Discount Plans?
Our office is in network with most major medical insurances including:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Aetna
Cigna
Humana
United Healthcare
Medicare
We accept the following Vision Plans:
VSP
Eyemed
Keep in mind that often your vision plan is not included on your insurance ID card. With a bit of information, we can help identify what your vision plan is. If you schedule an appointment online, we will reach out prior to your appointment to verify your insurance. If we are not in network with your insurance carrier, we can provide an itemized receipt of our services for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
What is the Difference Between Health Insurance and Vision Discount Plans?
Vision Discount Plans are often offered separately of your medical insurance benefits. Your vision plan allows for a negotiated discount on routine services and materials (glasses & contacts). Your vision plan benefits apply ONLY to healthy eye vision exams for glasses or contacts. During your exam, Dr. Clyde will do testing to determine the overall health of the eye. In some cases, your medical insurance will be used for the services, and your vision material benefits may be coordinated to make sure you get the most coverage possible. If you are diabetic or Dr. Clyde identifies any health conditions that require medical diagnosis and treatment and affect the eye such as glaucoma, cataracts, dry eye, infections, diabetes, eye injuries, etc., your medical insurance specialist co-pay and benefits will apply.
What if I Can’t Make it to My Appointment?
We understand that your schedule can change, so please give us a call to let us know if you will not be able to make it to your scheduled appointment. Failure to inform us that you will not be able to make your appointment will result in a $25 fee per our No Show Policy, which will be billed to your account. You will be considered a no show if you are more than 15 minutes late to your appointment without calling to inform us or to reschedule.
How long will my glasses take?
The $1,000,000 question! The answer is: It depends on multiple factors. We work hard to make sure that each pair of glasses has the best quality lenses no matter the price. Your lenses are not only customized for your vision, but for your eyes specifically. Your face and eyes are unique to you alone, and your glasses are highly optimized to measure how your eyes match up to your frame for the best possible vision. With any custom product, there will be some time between ordering and receiving the final product. We usually anticipate about two weeks from the time you order. This timing is an ESTIMATE ONLY! We are not able to guarantee a specific time frame for your glasses to be back. They may be ready sooner, and they may take longer than two weeks. We work with multiple labs both locally and nationwide, and the lab we choose for your lenses is also dependent upon multiple factors including which vision plan you have, what type of lenses you choose, and where we have the most confidence in the quality. Excellent quality is our very top priority for your glasses, and we do not work with labs who repeatedly return lower level craftmanship. Because of this high standard, occasionally lenses will go through multiple restarts because our labs will not release them until they hold up to this high standard. This is a factor out of our control, and will cause delays in receiving your glasses back. We know this is longer than anyone wants to wait for glasses, but we fight for you to have the best quality for your money!
Can you turn around glasses same day?
While we do work with a a lab locally, we do not offer same day turn around on glasses. The biggest factor in our turn around time is your prescription. With a simple, spherical, single vision prescription, we may be able to turn glasses around within 24 hours if our lab has your prescription in stock and if you do not need additional options in your lenses. If you are in a pinch, and need something within 24 hours, give us a call, and we will do our best to get you something to at least get you by if your lens needs are more sophisticated.
Glasses and Contacts are Expensive. What if I can't afford them?
We offer “Complete Pair” pricing on select frame and lens combinations that won’t break the bank! Stop in or call 713-814-3937 for complete pair pricing information. Additionally, we offer easy financing through your CareCredit credit card. You can apply online or while you are in the office for 0% financing to pay your balance over time with no interest. Apply online at Care Credit.
It’s Been a Year. Do I Need to Make an Appointment?
Annual eye exams are important to ensure the health of your eyes and the best possible vision. Since many eye and vision disorders present no obvious symptoms, early diagnosis and treatment are vital to maintaining healthy eyes. If you have a history of eye, vision or certain health conditions, Dr. Clyde may suggest more frequent visits. If you are a contact lens wearer, you will need to come in for an appointment in order to obtain a new prescription before you can reorder contacts. For both glasses and contacts, your prescription is valid for one year from the date it was written.
Will You Dilate My Eyes?
You should plan to have your eyes dilated during your visit. Dr. Clyde recommends all patients whom he has not seen before to be dilated either during their initial visit or during a follow up. Dilation allows us to do a more thorough examination on the health of your eyes in order to rule out any serious health problems such as diabetes or cancer, and often can help us determine that we are giving you the proper prescription. We recommend having your eyes dilated each year during your annual exam. There is no additional charge for dilation.
Why Do You Need to Know About Systemic Health Conditions?
Many systemic conditions (and medications to treat those conditions), can affect the eyes. If we don’t have all pertinent information available, it is like looking at one piece of a puzzle and trying to guess what the remaining pieces might be. During your visit, we will ask you for a thorough health history for both yourself and your immediate family members.
When Should My Child Have Their First Eye Exam?
We see children as young as infancy, and recommend your child be seen within their first year. Early eye exams are particularly important for children because without properly functioning vision, a child’s ability to learn can be severely impeded.
I Injured My Eye. What Should I Do?
If your injury is not life threatening, give us a call to schedule an emergency visit for immediate analysis and treatment. We can typically accommodate same-day appointments for emergencies, but please call ahead. NO WALK INS PLEASE. If you need urgent care during non business hours, please dial 911 or head to your nearest emergency room. If you receive treatment at an urgent care facility, we recommend you still make an appointment at our office as soon as possible after your injury.
