Frequently Asked Questions

Eye Medics offers a comprehensive range of services including adult and pediatric eye exams, orthokeratology (Ortho-K), myopia management, dry eye treatment with IPL therapy, diabetic eye exams, glaucoma screening, contact lens fittings, and amblyopia (lazy eye) treatment. We specialize in pediatric eye care and are one of the leading myopia control practices in the region.

Appointments can be scheduled easily by calling our office at 910-426-3937 during business hours, or by using the Request Appointment form on our website. We'll work with you to find a convenient time that fits your schedule.

During a routine eye exam at Eye Medics, you can expect a comprehensive evaluation of your vision and overall eye health. Our doctors will perform a series of tests to assess visual acuity, eye coordination, peripheral vision, and screen for conditions like glaucoma and cataracts. You'll receive personalized explanations from our professionals, and various treatment options will be discussed in detail based on your individual needs.

Our office hours are Monday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Tuesday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Wednesday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, and Thursday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. We are closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Please call 910-426-3937 or use our online booking tool to schedule your appointment.

Eye Medics Optometry is located at 6970 Nexus Court, Fayetteville, NC 28304. We're conveniently situated near Cross Creek Mall and easily accessible from Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg). Free parking is available on-site.

Yes, absolutely. Eye Medics is known for our accommodating environment, making it comfortable for children with special needs during their eye examinations. Our doctors are experienced in working with children on the autism spectrum, those with sensory sensitivities, and other developmental needs. We take extra time and use specialized techniques to ensure every child has a positive experience.

Yes, Eye Medics provides thorough assessments and tailored care plans to address specific visual concerns related to learning difficulties. Vision problems are often misdiagnosed as learning disabilities — issues like convergence insufficiency, focusing problems, or tracking difficulties can significantly impact reading and academic performance. Our comprehensive pediatric exams evaluate these functional vision skills beyond just visual acuity.

The American Optometric Association recommends a child's first eye exam at 6 months of age, again at 3 years old, and then before starting first grade (around age 5–6). After that, annual exams are recommended. Early detection of vision problems is critical because 80% of learning is visual. Many conditions like amblyopia (lazy eye) are most treatable when caught early.

Watch for these common signs: squinting or closing one eye, holding books or screens very close, frequent headaches, rubbing eyes excessively, tilting the head to one side, difficulty concentrating on schoolwork, losing their place while reading, avoiding reading or close-up activities, or complaints of blurry or double vision. If you notice any of these, schedule an eye exam right away.

Absolutely. Research shows that approximately 1 in 4 school-age children has an undiagnosed vision problem that can interfere with learning. Children may not realize their vision is abnormal because they have nothing to compare it to. Poor vision can lead to difficulty reading the board, trouble focusing on assignments, shorter attention spans, and behavioral issues that are sometimes mistaken for ADHD. A comprehensive eye exam can identify and correct these issues.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a condition where distant objects appear blurry while close objects are clear. It's a growing concern because myopia rates have nearly doubled in the last 30 years, and children who develop myopia early tend to progress to higher levels. High myopia significantly increases the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Early intervention through myopia management can slow progression and reduce these long-term risks.

sleepSEE® is our proprietary orthokeratology (Ortho-K) system — specially designed contact lenses worn only while sleeping. Overnight, the lenses gently reshape the cornea so your child wakes up with clear vision all day without glasses or daytime contacts. The effect is temporary and fully reversible. Beyond providing freedom from daytime correction, sleepSEE® has been clinically shown to slow the progression of myopia in children by 50–60%, making it one of the most effective myopia control treatments available.

Most children with mild to moderate myopia (typically up to -6.00 diopters) are good candidates for sleepSEE® Ortho-K. Ideal candidates are children whose myopia is progressing, those active in sports who find glasses inconvenient, or families looking for a non-surgical approach to vision correction. The best way to determine candidacy is through a comprehensive evaluation at our office. You can also try our online Candidate Screener tool for a preliminary assessment.

Most patients notice significant improvement in their vision after the very first night of wearing sleepSEE® lenses. Full correction is typically achieved within 1–2 weeks of consistent nightly wear. During the initial adaptation period, temporary correction glasses may be provided for daytime use if needed. Results vary based on the degree of myopia being corrected.

Yes, Ortho-K is FDA-approved and has been used safely for decades. The process is completely reversible — if you stop wearing the lenses, your cornea returns to its original shape. The risk of complications is comparable to regular contact lens wear when proper hygiene and care instructions are followed. At Eye Medics, we provide thorough training on lens care and schedule regular follow-up visits to monitor eye health throughout treatment.

In addition to sleepSEE® Ortho-K, we offer a comprehensive myopia management program that may include low-dose atropine eye drops, specialty soft multifocal contact lenses, and evidence-based lifestyle recommendations (such as increased outdoor time). Our doctors create personalized treatment plans based on each child's specific needs, age, myopia level, and rate of progression. We monitor progress closely and adjust treatment as needed.

Yes, Eye Medics proudly accepts TRICARE, serving the military families of Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) and the greater Fayetteville area. We understand the unique needs of military families and are experienced in processing TRICARE claims efficiently.

We accept most major vision and medical insurance plans including TRICARE, VSP, EyeMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, and Medicaid. If you don't see your plan listed, please call our office at 910-426-3937 — we're happy to verify your coverage before your appointment.

Yes, we accept CareCredit® for flexible financing options. CareCredit allows you to break up the cost of treatment into manageable monthly payments, often with promotional interest-free periods. This is especially helpful for services like Ortho-K that may not be fully covered by insurance. Ask our front desk team for details.

Ortho-K (including sleepSEE®) is typically considered an elective procedure and is not covered by most standard vision insurance plans. However, some medical plans may provide partial coverage when prescribed as a medical treatment for myopia control. We offer CareCredit® financing to help make treatment affordable, and our team can help you understand your specific coverage options.

Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, causing discomfort, redness, and blurry vision. At Eye Medics, we offer advanced treatment including OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy, which targets the root cause of evaporative dry eye by treating inflammation and improving oil gland function in the eyelids. We also provide personalized treatment plans that may include prescription eye drops, warm compresses, and lifestyle modifications.

OptiLight IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy is an FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment for dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. The treatment uses gentle pulses of light applied to the skin around the eyes to reduce inflammation, eliminate bacteria, and restore normal oil gland function. Most patients require 4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart, with maintenance treatments as needed. Many patients experience significant relief after just the first session.

If you have diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2), you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year, even if your vision seems fine. Diabetic retinopathy often has no early symptoms but can cause irreversible vision loss if not detected and treated early. At Eye Medics, we use advanced imaging technology to detect the earliest signs of diabetic eye disease and coordinate with your primary care physician to protect your vision.

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often due to elevated eye pressure. It's called the 'silent thief of sight' because it typically has no symptoms until significant vision loss has occurred. At Eye Medics, we screen for glaucoma during every comprehensive eye exam using tonometry (eye pressure measurement), visual field testing, and optic nerve evaluation. Early detection and treatment can prevent or significantly slow vision loss.