Why Fort Bragg Families Choose Eye Medics
Fort Bragg — formerly Fort Bragg — is home to one of the largest military installations in the world. I have been serving this community for over 20 years, and military families make up a significant part of our practice. I understand the unique challenges that come with military life: frequent moves, TRICARE navigation, children who need consistent care despite PCS orders, and the specific vision demands of service members and their families.
We are on Nexus Court in Fayetteville — about 10 to 15 minutes from the main gates of Fort Bragg. We accept TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, TRICARE Reserve Select, and TRICARE For Life. If you have been struggling to find a civilian provider who understands TRICARE billing, we have been doing this for two decades. We know the system.
One thing I hear from military families constantly: "We just moved here and we need to find a new eye doctor." We make that transition as easy as possible. We accept transferred records, we can coordinate with MTF providers when needed, and we understand that your family may be here for 2 years or 10.
Comprehensive eye exams for Fort Bragg military families — TRICARE accepted since 2004.
TRICARE Eye Care Coverage Explained
TRICARE vision benefits can be confusing, and I want to give you a straight answer about what is covered. Here is how it generally works:
TRICARE Prime covers routine eye exams for active duty service members through military treatment facilities. For dependents and retirees on TRICARE Prime, routine eye exams are covered when you see a network provider — which we are. There is typically no cost-share for preventive care visits.
TRICARE Select gives you more flexibility to see civilian providers. You can come directly to us without a referral. Cost-shares apply based on your beneficiary category (active duty family member, retiree, etc.).
TRICARE For Life works as a secondary payer after Medicare. If you are a Medicare-eligible military retiree, TRICARE For Life typically covers your Medicare cost-shares, meaning your eye exam may have little to no out-of-pocket cost.
TRICARE Plan Coverage for Routine Eye Exams
Estimated percentage of routine eye exam costs covered by TRICARE plan type. Source: TRICARE.mil, Defense Health Agency.
Eye Medics accepts all major TRICARE plans. Call (910) 426-3937 to verify your specific benefits.
TRICARE Tip:
Call us at (910) 426-3937 before your appointment and we will verify your TRICARE benefits, confirm your network status, and let you know exactly what to expect in terms of cost. No surprises.
Eye Health Considerations for Military Families
Military families face some specific eye health challenges that I see regularly in my practice. Let me address a few of them directly.
Children and myopia: Kids who spend a lot of time indoors — which is common during deployments and frequent moves when outdoor activities are disrupted — are at higher risk for developing myopia (nearsightedness). We offer a full myopia management program including Ortho-K overnight lenses, MiSight daily contacts, and low-dose atropine therapy. These treatments have been shown to slow myopia progression by 30 to 60% in children.
Dry eye: Service members and their families who have spent time in desert or arid environments often develop chronic dry eye. This is something I see frequently in patients coming from deployments or assignments in the Middle East or Southwest US. We offer comprehensive dry eye evaluation and treatment, including LipiFlow thermal pulsation therapy.
Post-LASIK care: Many service members have had LASIK or PRK. If you have had refractive surgery and are experiencing issues — halos, glare, dry eye, regression — we can evaluate and manage these conditions. We also fit specialty contact lenses for post-surgical corneas when needed.
Pediatric eye exams for Fort Bragg military dependents — TRICARE accepted.
Eye Care Services for Fort Bragg Residents
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Full vision and eye health evaluation. Retinal imaging with Optos ultra-widefield camera. TRICARE accepted.
Pediatric Eye Exams
Children exams for military dependents from 6 months through high school. TRICARE covers routine pediatric exams.
Myopia Management
Proven treatments to slow nearsightedness in children — MiSight contacts, atropine drops, and Ortho-K.
SleepSEE Ortho-K
Overnight contact lenses for myopia correction. No glasses or daytime contacts needed. FDA-cleared.
Dry Eye Treatment
Comprehensive dry eye evaluation and treatment including LipiFlow. Common in veterans and service members.
Specialty Contact Lenses
Scleral lenses, post-LASIK fits, keratoconus management. Expert fitting for complex prescriptions.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Military families often tell me they are used to quick, assembly-line exams at the MTF. We do things differently. Here is what a visit with us looks like:
Pre-testing (10-15 min)
Visual acuity, eye pressure, corneal topography, and retinal imaging with our Optos ultra-widefield camera. No dilation required for most patients.
Exam with Dr. Singletary or Dr. Shiau (30-40 min)
Complete review of your history, prescription check, retina and optic nerve evaluation, and a clear explanation of everything we find. We take the time to answer your questions.
Discussion and plan (10 min)
We talk about what I found, what it means, and what we are going to do about it. If your child needs myopia management, we will walk you through all the options.
Glasses or contact lens selection (optional)
If you need new glasses or contacts, our optical team can help. You are always welcome to take your prescription elsewhere.
Insurance and TRICARE Accepted
Call (910) 426-3937 to verify your TRICARE benefits. See our insurance page for full details.
How Eye Medics Compares
| Feature | Eye Medics Optometry | Chain Optical Store |
|---|---|---|
| TRICARE Prime accepted | Yes — network provider | Varies by location |
| TRICARE Select accepted | Yes | Varies |
| Exam time with doctor | 45-60 minutes | 10-15 minutes |
| Retinal imaging (Optos) | Ultra-widefield | Basic only |
| Myopia control / Ortho-K | Full program | Not offered |
| Pediatric eye exams | Comprehensive | Basic screening |
| Google reviews | 1,500+ / 5.0 stars | Varies |
Free Download
"Is My Child's Vision Affecting Their Grades?" — Parent Checklist
A 12-point checklist I give to every parent in my practice. Download it, go through it tonight, and bring it to your child's next eye exam. It takes 3 minutes and could change everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Eye Medics accept TRICARE for Fort Bragg families?
Yes. We accept TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, TRICARE Reserve Select, and TRICARE For Life. For TRICARE Prime patients, we are a participating provider. Call us at (910) 426-3937 to verify your specific plan and confirm your eligibility.
How far is Eye Medics from Fort Bragg?
We are at 6970 Nexus Ct. in Fayetteville — about 10 to 15 minutes from the main gates of Fort Bragg, conveniently located near the Skibo Road commercial corridor serving the Fort Bragg community.
My child is a military dependent. What eye care services do you offer?
We offer comprehensive pediatric eye exams for military dependents from 6 months through high school. We also offer myopia management programs — including Ortho-K overnight lenses and MiSight daily contacts — which are particularly important for children who are developing nearsightedness. TRICARE covers routine pediatric eye exams.
What is Ortho-K and is it covered by TRICARE?
Ortho-K (orthokeratology) involves wearing specially designed rigid gas-permeable contact lenses overnight that gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. When you remove the lenses in the morning, you have clear vision without glasses or daytime contacts. TRICARE coverage for Ortho-K varies by plan and medical necessity. Call us to discuss your specific situation.
We are a military family and move frequently. Can you transfer records?
Absolutely. We can provide complete copies of your records, including retinal images, corneal topography maps, and prescription history, to any provider you are transitioning to. We also accept transferred records from previous providers.
Does Eye Medics see active duty service members?
Yes. Active duty service members typically receive their routine eye care through military treatment facilities (MTFs). However, if you have a specific condition — dry eye, keratoconus, specialty contact lens needs, or myopia management for your children — we work with active duty families regularly. TRICARE Prime requires a referral from your PCM for active duty members; TRICARE Select does not.
Reference Resources
TRICARE Vision Benefits — Official Guide
Official TRICARE resource on vision care coverage, network providers, and cost-shares.
American Optometric Association — Military Eye Care
AOA resources on eye care for military service members and veterans.
Defense Health Agency — TRICARE Provider Directory
Find TRICARE-authorized providers near Fort Bragg.
Last reviewed: March 2026 · Written by Dr. Dwight Singletary, OD · Eye Medics Optometry, Fayetteville, NC
