At a glance:
- Routine vision exams and contact lens fittings
- Care for urgent eye issues
- Optical shop, including frames and sunglasses
Location: Third floor of the University Health Service Building
Closed for lunch from 12-1 p.m. The Optical Shop closes at 4:30 p.m. Hours may vary during semester breaks and holidays.
What happens during a routine vision exam?
A routine vision exam begins with a health history. The optometrist (Doctor of Optometry) then:
- Will assess your ability to see clearly at near and far distances, eye coordination, color vision, depth perception, refractive error, and field of vision, and eye pressure
- Most routine exams involve dilating your eyes to check the interior and exterior eye as well as the surrounding area for impairment and disease
- May prescribe medication, glasses or contact lenses, or vision therapy as needed
How should I prepare for a routine vision exam?
If you wear glasses or contacts, please bring your most recent pair of glasses and contacts, and make sure you know what brand of contacts you wear. If possible, bring sunglasses because your eyes may be sensitive to the sun after dilation. If you forget sunglasses, we will provide a disposable pair.
Most people can drive after dilation. However, if you are farsighted you may have visual impairment and may 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?
Routine vision exams are an important part of preventive care. It's recommended that you get a routine vision exam if you:
- Have a history of vision problems
- Wear contact lenses or glasses (new prescriptions are often required for insurance to cover new frames or contact lenses)
- Experience squinting, blinking, rubbing eyes frequently, headaches, changes in vision or difficulty with visual concentration within arm's length, because these may be signs of eye problems
Frequency:
- General population: an eye exam once every two years is recommended, once a year is best
- People who wear contact lenses should schedule an exam once a year
- People in their mid-30s and older should get an exam annually, because changes in vision and focus, along with eye diseases, are more likely to develop.
Costs and insurance:
For currently enrolled U-M students (i.e. taking classes on the Ann Arbor campus):
- Medical office visits for acute eye care conditions. Currently enrolled U-M students pay no additional fees. Examples of acute conditions include dry eye, red eye, eye pain, eye discharge, acute visual disturbances, foreign bodies, or injuries to the eye.
- Comprehensive vision exams. These visits are not covered by the health service fee. You will either pay out of pocket or use your health insurance.
For faculty and staff:
- Medical office visits for acute eye conditions. These visits are covered by U-M medical insurance and/or Medicare. Depending on your medical plan, you may need a referral from your primary care office and copays may apply.
- Comprehensive vision exams. The cost for these visits is based on your insurance benefits.
Optical Shop
-
Student, faculty and staff discounts (not applicable with other insurance/discounts)
- 20% discount on glasses
- 15% off 1 year supply of contacts
- Call the Optical Shop directly at 734-647-4300
- No appointments needed
To get glasses:
- If you have a prescription for glasses, including from outside UHC, you can order glasses at our Optical Shop.
- You can select from a wide variety of frames for eyeglasses, sunglasses, sports and recreational glasses, and occupational safety glasses. Brands include Nike, Ray Ban, and more.
- Glasses generally take 2-3 weeks to be made, although special orders may take longer.
To get contact lenses:
- If you have a contact lens prescription that is less than one year old, we can fill your prescription. However, we cannot accept contact prescriptions from outside the U.S.
- If your contact lens prescription is expired, you must first receive a complete vision exam through the clinic for a contact lens evaluation.
You can order contacts in several ways:
- Order contacts online: If you are a UHC eye care patient with a current prescription, you may order through YourLens.com. You must register first, either at the time of your appointment or by calling our front desk at 734-763-0291 to register.
- Order by phone by calling our front desk at 734-763-0291.
- Order at your appointment: We can order contacts for you after your prescription is finalized at the time of your appointment.
- Order via MyChart: Log into MyChart and message your eye care doctor directly to order. A technician will input the order and contact you with information regarding pick up.