Why Hoke County Residents Choose Eye Medics
I have been practicing optometry in Fayetteville for over 20 years, and Hoke County patients have always been a part of our practice. Raeford is about 25 minutes from our office on Skibo Road, and we see families from Raeford, Rockfish, Quewhiffle, and communities throughout Hoke County on a regular basis.
One of the things I hear most from Hoke County patients is that they have been putting off their eye care because they did not know where to go, or they assumed it would be too expensive. We accept NC Medicaid, TRICARE, VSP, EyeMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and most major insurance plans. We also offer CareCredit financing for patients who need it.
Rural communities like Hoke County often have fewer healthcare options, and eye care is no exception. That is why we work hard to make our practice accessible — with flexible scheduling, insurance verification before your visit, and a team that takes the time to explain everything clearly.
Comprehensive eye exams for Hoke County residents — Medicaid and TRICARE accepted.
Eye Care Access in Rural Hoke County
Hoke County is a rural community with limited local healthcare options. There is no full-service optometry practice in Raeford — residents have to travel to Fayetteville or other nearby cities for comprehensive eye care. That is a barrier that keeps many people from getting the care they need.
At Eye Medics, we try to make that trip worth it. When you come to see us, you are not going to get a 10-minute exam and a prescription. You are going to get a thorough evaluation — retinal imaging with our Optos ultra-widefield camera, corneal topography if needed, and a detailed conversation about what I found and what it means for your vision and eye health.
For Hoke County patients who are on Medicaid, I want to be clear: we accept NC Medicaid and we treat Medicaid patients exactly the same as any other patient. You will get the same technology, the same time with the doctor, and the same quality of care.
Medicaid Note:
NC Medicaid covers annual comprehensive eye exams for eligible adults and children. Call us at (910) 426-3937 and we will verify your Medicaid coverage before your visit.
Children Vision — A Priority in Hoke County
I see a lot of children from Hoke County schools, and I want to talk about something that concerns me: the number of kids who are struggling in school because of undetected vision problems.
School vision screenings are not comprehensive eye exams. They check distance vision — that is it. They miss focusing problems, eye teaming issues, tracking difficulties, and early myopia. A child can pass a school screening and still have a significant vision problem that is affecting their reading and learning.
The American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive eye exam at 6 months, at age 3, and then every year once school starts. If your child has not had a comprehensive exam — not just a school screening — I encourage you to schedule one. It takes about 45 minutes and it can make a real difference in their school performance.
Estimated Myopia Prevalence — Children Ages 6-18
Percentage of school-age children with myopia by region. Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology, JAMA Ophthalmology.
Even at lower rural rates, 1 in 4 children may have myopia. Annual eye exams catch it early.
Pediatric eye exams for Hoke County children — Medicaid accepted.
Eye Care Services for Hoke County Residents
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Full vision and eye health evaluation. Retinal imaging with Optos ultra-widefield camera. Medicaid and most insurance accepted.
Pediatric Eye Exams
Children exams from 6 months through high school. Medicaid covers routine pediatric exams. We are patient and gentle with kids.
Myopia Management
Proven treatments to slow nearsightedness in children — MiSight contacts, atropine drops, and Ortho-K overnight lenses.
SleepSEE Ortho-K
Overnight contact lenses for myopia correction. No glasses or daytime contacts needed. FDA-cleared and safe for children.
Dry Eye Treatment
Comprehensive dry eye evaluation and treatment including LipiFlow thermal pulsation therapy.
Specialty Contact Lenses
Scleral lenses, keratoconus management, and specialty fits for complex prescriptions.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
If you have never been to Eye Medics before, here is what a visit 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.
Discussion and plan (10 min)
We talk about what I found, what it means, and what we are going to do about it. Questions are always welcome.
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 Accepted
Call (910) 426-3937 to verify your insurance. See our insurance page for full details.
How Eye Medics Compares
| Feature | Eye Medics Optometry | Other Options |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Raeford | ~25 min via US-401 | No local options |
| Medicaid accepted | Yes — NC Medicaid | 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
How far is Eye Medics from Hoke County / Raeford?
Eye Medics Optometry is located at 1952 Skibo Road in Fayetteville — approximately 25 minutes from Raeford via US-401 North. We are one of the closest full-service optometry practices to Hoke County, and we see many patients from Raeford, Rockfish, and surrounding communities.
Does Eye Medics accept Medicaid for Hoke County patients?
Yes. We accept NC Medicaid (NC Medicaid Managed Care) for eligible patients. Medicaid covers routine eye exams for children and adults who meet eligibility requirements. Call us at (910) 426-3937 to verify your specific plan before your visit.
My child attends school in Hoke County. When should they have their first eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive eye exam at 6 months, again at age 3, and then annually once school starts. School vision screenings catch only a fraction of vision problems. A comprehensive exam at our office takes about 45 minutes and gives you a complete picture of your child visual health.
What is myopia management and does my child need it?
Myopia (nearsightedness) is when your child can see up close but struggles to see the board at school. If your child is myopic and getting worse every year, myopia management can slow that progression. We offer MiSight daily contact lenses, Ortho-K overnight lenses, and low-dose atropine eye drops — all proven to reduce myopia progression by 30 to 60 percent.
What insurance do you accept from Hoke County patients?
We accept NC Medicaid, TRICARE, VSP, EyeMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, HSA and FSA cards, and most major vision and medical insurance plans. Call us and we will verify your benefits before your appointment.
Do you offer same-day or urgent appointments for Hoke County patients?
We do our best to accommodate urgent eye care needs. If you are experiencing sudden vision changes, eye pain, a foreign body in the eye, or other urgent symptoms, call us at (910) 426-3937 and we will work to see you as quickly as possible.
Reference Resources
American Optometric Association — Children Vision
AOA guidelines on when children should have comprehensive eye exams and what to look for.
NC Medicaid — Vision Services
Official NC Medicaid information on covered vision services for adults and children.
CDC — Vision Health Initiative
CDC resources on vision health, including information on rural eye care access.
Last reviewed: March 2026 · Written by Dr. Dwight Singletary, OD · Eye Medics Optometry, Fayetteville, NC
